No. 6 Baylor men's basketball still unscathed with 75-63 win over Arizona State
No. 6 Baylor men’s basketball (5-0) gasses Arizona State (2-3) to advance to round two of the Battle 4 Atlantis 75-63.
Speed. I am speed.
This, of course, is a legendary quote from Lightning McQueen. I can only imagine it was also the mantra ringing between the Bears’ ears throughout tonight’s 40 minutes. This team just absolutely blew by Bobby Hurley and Arizona State in Atlantis — or Waco south at this point.
Summarizing the first half, things started oddly slow for the Baylor defense. With offense churning well on both sides, the Sun Devils ran out to an 18-12 lead. Scott Drew’s team was just toying with those fools. The Bears proceeded to rip off a 33-13 run that saw six different players score.
Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer tallied 11 and 10 respectively in the opening 20 minutes with James Akinjo and Matthew Mayer adding seven apiece. As a team, the Bears shot 47% and went 6-14 from deep while forcing 11 turnovers and winning the fast break points battle 12-2.
It was 45-31 at the break. Arizona State did not score in the final 3:59 of the first half. it wasn’t close.
The second half, as it has been all season, was a 20 minute stretch of basketball that was only played because the NCAA demands it be played. The outcome of this game was in zero doubt. Since they had to play it, though, Baylor opted to focus on defense.
Bears put things on cruise control — smart with the lack of rest the team will see this week — and cruised to the 75-63 final.
Well, consider that a statement on national television. The stat book is quite pretty, too. Five Bears finished in double-figures as the team rolled to a 32-14 points in the paint advantage, 10-5 steals advantage and dominating 15-8 win in the turnover battle.
This high-flying circus act only turned the ball over eight times. That’s insane.
Also, apparently, Scott Drew has won a bunch of bass tournaments? That was a fun takeaway from today. See you again tomorrow. We get Thanksgiving Baylor basketball!