Gameday Thread: No. 12 Baylor WBB Opens Season against Incarnate Word

WACO, Texas — No. 12 Baylor (0-0) kicks off the 2024-25 season against Incarnate Word (0-1) at Foster Pavillion in Waco, Texas on Nov. 7, 2024, at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Massey Prediction: Baylor 84, Incarnate Word 38

Coaches

• Baylor (Nicki Collen): 74-28 Record; 3 NCAA Tournaments; Sweet 16
• Incarnate Word (Jeff Dow): 308-118 Record (67-67 at UIW); 1 NCAA Tournament

Baylor Starters

• Guard Jada Walker (Sr.): 8.4 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 3.3 APG, 42% FG, 23% 3-PT, 80% FT
• Guard Sarah Andrews (5Sr.): 11.4 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.9 APG, 38% FG, 36% 3-PT, 68% FT
• Forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (Jr.): 10.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.5 APG, 53% FG, 77% FT
• Forward Bella Fontleroy (Jr.): 9.6 PPG, 5 RPG, 0.7 APG, 44% FG, 36% 3-PT, 71% FT
• Center Aaronette Vonleh (Sr.): 14 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 55% FG, 63% FT

Baylor Bench

• Guard Yaya Felder (Sr.): 7.3 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2 APG, 43% FG, 33% 3-PT, 77% FT
• Guard Jana Van Gytenbeek (5Sr.): 4.6 PPG, 1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 42% FG, 39% 3-PT, 80% FT
• Forward Kyla Abraham (Jr.): 3 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.3 APG, 75% FG
• Forward Kayla Nelms (Fr.): N/A

Top Quotes

Head coach Nicki Collen on early-season games against Incarnate Word and Oregon:

• "The reality of this time of year is that you will get different offensive and defensive philosophies from game to game. When we scrimmaged Texas State, they played all man. When we played Langston, they played all man. The odds are pretty good that Incarnate Word will play all zone. You get a little bit of everything this time of year, and you have to figure out your strengths and weaknesses once you start playing against different defenses."

Head coach Nicki Collen on Darianna Littlepage-Buggs's improvement going into her junior season:

• "I think she's really confident right now. There are going to be games where maybe she doesn't score as much, but that doesn't mean she impacts the game less. There are two things I know about Buggs all the time: she's going to rebound and run. Those two things are so consistent that you can rely on them. She doesn't take possessions off."

Head coach Nicki Collen on bringing back an experienced team:

• "We pick up stuff a little quicker. We pull along our new players. … We now get to put a few more wrinkles in, which is fun."

Other WBB Preseason Content

• 'We Have a Chance to Make a Lot of Noise:' Collen, WBB Gearing Up For New Season

• Baylor WBB Season Preview: Top Returners For 2024-2025