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Baylor Women's Basketball

Gameday Thread: No. 17 Baylor Looks For Revenge against No. 8 TCU in Big 12 Tourney Final

March 8, 2025
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KANSAS CITY, Missouri – No. 17 Baylor women’s basketball (27-6, 15-3) will look to avenge its two regular season losses to No. 8 TCU (30-3, 16-2) in the championship of the Big 12 Tournament. Tipoff from T-Mobile Center is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT on Sunday, March 9, and will be televised on ESPN.

  • Spread: TCU -2.5
  • Baylor Massey Rating: No. 13
    • Baylor NET Ranking: No. 15
  • TCU Massey Rating: No. 8
    • TCU Net Ranking: No. 8

Coaches

Baylor (Nicki Collen): 101-34 Record; 3 NCAA Tournaments; Sweet 16

TCU (Mark Campbell): 90-38 Record; NCAA Tournament

Baylor Starters

  • Guard Jada Walker (5’7, Sr.): 11 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 5.7 APG, 43% FG, 38% 3-PT, 75% FT
  • Guard Sarah Andrews (5’6, Sr.): 11.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5 APG, 37% FG, 38% 3-PT, 56% FT
  • Guard Yaya Felder (5’8, Sr.): 10.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 45% FG, 40% 3-PT, 73% FT
  • Forward Bella Fontleroy (6’0, Jr.): 9.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 40% FG, 33% 3-PT, 55% FT
  • Center Aaronette Vonleh (6’3, Sr.): 13.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 60% FG, 61% FT

Baylor Bench

  • Guard Aliyah Matharu (5’7, Sr.): 7.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 43% FG, 39% 3-PT, 57% FT
  • Guard Waiata Jennings (5’9, Jr.): 2.2 PPG, 45% FG, 37% 3-PT, 100% FT
  • Forward Kyla Abraham (6’3, Jr.): 2.1 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 46% FG, 36% FT
  • Forward Kayla Nelms (6’1, Fr.): 2.7 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 45% FG, 22% 3-PT

*Stats last updated on March 6*

TCU Starters

  • Guard Hailey Van Lith (5’9, Sr.): 18.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.9 APG, 45% FG, 31% 3-PT, 83% FT
  • Guard Madison Conner (5’11, Sr.): 15.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.2 APG, 43% FG, 47% 3-PT, 85% FT
  • Guard Agnes Emma-Nnopu (5’11, Sr.): 5.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 37% FG, 38% 3-PT, 60% FT
  • Guard Donovyn Hunter (6’0, So.): 5.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 46% FG, 32% 3-PT, 72% FT
  • Center Sedona Prince (6’7, Sr.): 19.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 3.5 BPG, 61% FG, 72% FT

TCU Bench

  • Guard Taylor Bigby (6’1, Jr.): 7.6 PPG, 3 RPG, 44% FG, 35% 3-PT, 44% FT
  • Forward Aaliyah Roberson (6’2, Jr.): 5.3 PPG, 3 RPG, 54% FG, 46% 3-PT, 78% FT

*Stats last updated on March 1*

TCU Notable Opponents

  • No. 3 Notre Dame (76-68 Win)
  • No. 3 South Carolina (85-52 Loss)
  • Oklahoma State (60-59 Loss)
  • Baylor (80-75 Win)
  • No. 12 Kansas State (59-50 Loss)
  • No. 17 West Virginia (71-50 Win)
  • No. 17 Baylor (51-48 Win)
  • No. 16 West Virginia (71-65 Win)
Discussion from...

Gameday Thread: No. 17 Baylor Looks For Revenge against No. 8 TCU in Big 12 Tourney Final

12,889 Views | 159 Replies | Last: 9 hrs ago by ScottyB_The_Baylor_King
BUVA
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In reply to 74Bear • 3:46p, 3/10/25
74Bear said:
SirBearALot said:
oldbear69 said:
Frogs won 1 conf game 2 urs ago … look what a recruiting coach can do …we recruit bricklayers not elite 3 pt snipers ..
yes, when you get a masculine 6'7" female BB player it can improve your team and add HVL in there too !

Wonder how much they paid those 2 studs ?


I googled that question and found HVL got about $700k and Prince got about $340k. No idea how accurate that info is.


Van Lith's dad always wore shirts with her name or initials--not TCU or Frogs. It was a bit creepy to me, like she's a corporation or LLC. I guess that's what is called "branding".

Prince came to TCU with no great player resume or outstanding record; just her 6'7" height. Not to mention the personal baggage, which apparently didn't bother TCU, the coach who brought her from Oregon, or her NIL sponsors.
Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to. ~ Mark Twain
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blueeyedbear
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7:27p, 3/10/25
The call by CNC had nothing to do with BU players 3 ball % history from the 3.!!!
It was an in-game play call that haters on here say she does not have the coaching acumen to do.
Defending us hard at the 3 Pt. line was obviously a point of emphasis for TCU and I dare say they had very good success with that strategy for 44+ minutes !!
Anybody with half a % basketball IQ would know what TCU was going to do - smother the 4 Smurf's with Instructions from Campbell to play 5 on 4 at the arch and DO NOT FOUL NETTY - LET HER GO UNCONTESTED TO THE RIM as a 2 pt.. bunny doesn't tie the game.
I guarantee Campbell was caught by surprise when Netty shot the three. It was a gamble for sure by CNC that I have no problem with whatsoever.
Netty has hit that shot in practice and a couple of times in early season games.
That was going to be by far the best opportunity for an open, clean look at the basket with no defender close to rush her shot. .....that is what any coach wants for her players .... a good clean look ... no other player on the floor was going to get that open look from TCU .... there would be totally different postings in this site if Netty hits that shot..
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Bone Squad
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8:20p, 3/10/25
It was an extremely low percentage of payoff. Maybe 1 in 10? Sure TCU wasn't expecting it.....exactly because it was so unlikely to work.

Look, you can love the concept of giant surprises, if it floats your boat. I am constantly yelling at the screen when my teams attempt low percentage shots. And I would absolutely say the same thing if it had miraculously gone in....much as I do for the occasional made three from Norchad Omier.
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blueeyedbear
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In reply to Bone Squad • 8:43p, 3/10/25
Bone Squad said:
It was an extremely low percentage of payoff. Maybe 1 in 10? Sure TCU wasn't expecting it.....exactly because it was so unlikely to work.

Look, you can love the concept of giant surprises, if it floats your boat. I am constantly yelling at the screen when my teams attempt low percentage shots. And I would absolutely say the same thing if it had miraculously gone in....much as I do for the occasional made three from Norchad Omier.
In 3 games we were 3/26 from the 3 pt. line in the second half ..... THATS 11.0% !!!
Nicki made the right call
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historian
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In reply to blackie • 9:00p, 3/10/25
Agreed. I'm also ok with it. That's the reason CNC drew it up that way: Vonleh was the only one who was going to be open enough for the shot. She has made 3s before although I don't think we're under pressure situations like this. That's what I meant about TCU's game planning. We didn't have any other options. If she had made it, both she & Nicki would have been heroes. Alas, it didn't work out.

It's definitely disappointing losing to the Frogettes 3 times this year, especially after a long dominance. But they are that good this year. They have great potential for the NCAA. Baylor finishing 2nd place in the conference is still excellent. I hope it's enough to get us a 4 seed. It would be great to host the first trip games at Foster. I might even be able to attend one!
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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LTBear19
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1:10a, 3/11/25
With less than 5 seconds left, then maybe I could see putting together something where Vonleh is your best option.

But 10 seconds is more than enough time to draw up a better play with a higher percentage shooter.

Here's a better play:

1) Put Walker in instead of Matharu (still not sure what having Walker on the bench there was all about).

2) Either Vonleh or Bella inbound the ball to one of our 3 guards (Walker, Andrews, Felder), somewhere between the top of the key and mid court. Ideally, Felder gets the inbounds, since she's probably better at creating her own shot, if it comes to that.

3) Once the ball is in play, Bella and Vonleh become your primary screeners, just beyond the elbows at the arc, with Bella (at 32%) being your 4th option if one of your 3 guards are unable to get the ball with a respectable look. Vonleh should ONLY be your last resort there (NOT the #1 option at 14%).

4) Assuming Felder has the ball, both Andrews and Walker are zig zagging across the lane, creating some confusion where possibly their defenders run into each other or have trouble switching. Both of them are going to then curl around the set screeners (Bella and Vonleh), as you are setting up a 'catch and shoot' play. You know, like what Steph does all the time with Golden State.

5) If both are bottled up, then Felder has the green light to pull up for the 3, since it will likely be a one-on-one scenario, and she is better at creating her own shot (if she's doubled, then that means someone else should now be open).

If THIS is your drawn up play, but TCU guards it incredibly well, then you simply tip your cap.

But drawing up a play for a 14% shooter from behind the arc (with 13 attempts on the year) leaves a lot to be desired.
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blueeyedbear
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10:39a, 3/11/25
TCU had a foul to give - end of discussion
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historian
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In reply to blueeyedbear • 12:14p, 3/11/25
The only way that might have worked for us if we could have gotten the foul when shooting a 3 pointer. Then the shooter would have needed to make all 3. I don't think TCU was going to cooperate with that plan.
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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blueeyedbear
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In reply to historian • 4:30p, 3/11/25
historian said:
The only way that might have worked for us if we could have gotten the foul when shooting a 3 pointer. Then the shooter would have needed to make all 3. I don't think TCU was going to cooperate with that plan.
There is no way any BU player was going to get a clean look at a 3 !!! 10 seconds or 30 seconds - no matter - was not going to happen.
Campbell would have been thrilled for Yaya, Alijah or Sarah to hero dribble while the clock was running - take their free foul at 2 - 3 seconds and basically game over.
I repeat my earlier post - Netty getting the ball at the arch was a total surprise that TCU did not plan for - My only complaint with the plan was since we knew the play we should have had everyone crash the boards as she shot for a possible rebound and putback - we might have been able to get an and one if the basketball gods were smiling on us - Unfortunately it was not to be.
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historian
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In reply to blueeyedbear • 9:49p, 3/11/25
It doesn't necessarily have to be a clean look. It only needs to be a foul when she's in the act of shooting.
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
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blueeyedbear
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In reply to historian • 11:29a, 3/12/25
historian said:
It doesn't necessarily have to be a clean look. It only needs to be a foul when she's in the act of shooting.
TRUE, Not arguing with you at all !!
But, you know the orders from Campbell was "DO NOT FOUL !!!"
TCU perimeter defense held us to 11.0% 3 Ball in the second half of the 3 games without fouling - not a reach they could continue that for 8.8 seconds. How much of that was solid defense and how much was tired legs ??? we will never know but hats off to TCU - it was a major point if emphasis and they pulled it off for 3 games.

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Bone Squad
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11:36a, 3/12/25
On the bright side, most teams will not be able to guard the three as effectively as TCU (unless we just shoot it poorly completely on our own). Just like when we had Griner, TCU could afford to gamble on overplaying the perimeter since the driver would still have to contend with a 6'7 shot blocker.
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LTBear19
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In reply to blueeyedbear • 1:52p, 3/12/25
One minute you focused on TCU having a foul to give.

But the next minute you say that the instructions from Campbell were 'Do Not Foul.'

Which one is it?
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Dcheetah
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In reply to LTBear19 • 3:01p, 3/12/25
Pretty sure he means on a 3 pt attempt or driver but to foul the passer several seconds in to take time off the clock.
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blackie
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In reply to Dcheetah • 6:44p, 3/12/25
Dcheetah said:
Pretty sure he means on a 3 pt attempt or driver but to foul the passer several seconds in to take time off the clock.
Yes, if we had been dribbling around to get someone open, we would have been fouled. And then very little time left on the clock and no time out to draw up anything.
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blueeyedbear
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In reply to Dcheetah • 7:23p, 3/12/25
Dcheetah said:
Pretty sure he means on a 3 pt attempt or driver but to foul the passer several seconds in to take time off the clock.
Thanks D
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blueeyedbear
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In reply to blackie • 7:24p, 3/12/25
blackie said:
Dcheetah said:
Pretty sure he means on a 3 pt attempt or driver but to foul the passer several seconds in to take time off the clock.
Yes, if we had been dribbling around to get someone open, we would have been fouled. And then very little time left on the clock and no time out to draw up anything.
Thanks Blackie
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LTBear19
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9:25p, 3/12/25
The lengths that some of you all are willing to go in defense of this drawn-up is play simply amazing.

Yes, if you are out near mid-court pitty-patting with the ball, then TCU would absolutely take the foul to give there (and probably another one and put us on the FT line).

But it was pretty clear that Campbell was willing to let things play out as long as we had a shooter within 5 feet of the arc.

I mean, we only saw the same sequence play out with the SAME opponent just one week prior.

In fact, if you pay attention to the play, Sarah had her back to Van Lith with 7 seconds to go (with Vonleh nearby and somewhat open). So you'd think that would be the ideal time to take the foul to give, right?

Instead, Campbell elected not to foul, and was perfectly fine with a 14% shooter taking the game-tying shot. I mean, who wouldn't be?

In some circles, that is known as goading your opponent into taking a low-percentage shot.

And we fell for it - hook, line, and sinker.

In fact, if you asked a majority of the posters on here if they'd rather face a 38% shooter or a 14% shooter, my guess is that most of us would go with the 14% option all day long.

Even the way the announcer mentioned Vonleh taking just 13 3's all season long during the replay should tell even the biggest homers that the play-call was viewed as questionable.

But what bothered me nearly as much as the choice to put Vonleh in that spot to begin with (which was not fair to her), was the fact that we had ZERO movement happening during the sequence.

We had two players just camped out in the corner (guarded) and another just standing around looking. So by not moving around just a little, we didn't even make TCU work on defense - and basically telegraphed our play to them.

The fact that some on here are making it seem like this was some genius-level plan we put together during that final timeout is a bit of a head-scratcher, to say the least.
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ScottyB_The_Baylor_King
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9:30p, 3/12/25
Mods lock this up. I'm tired of this
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