Morning After Reflections: #6 Baylor 64 #14 Gonzaga 63

#6 Baylor (6-2) uses an inspired defensive effort to knock off #14 Gonzaga (5-3) at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  The Bears were led by Keyonte George's 18 points. 

Positives

• Gritty defensive performance by the Bears holding the #1 offensive team in Gonzaga to 0.84 points per possession.  
• Inspired efforts by everyone on the roster, particularly impressed by Flo Thamba’s energy and post defense, Dale Bonner’s defense and ability to get in the paint and create for teammates, Keyonte George’s tough shot making, Adam Flagler’s poise down the stretch and Langston Love’s spark off the bench on both ends of the court.  
• Tough minded finish to the game on offense and defense.  With around 1:40 left, the Bears trailed by 7 and it looked bleak (3.7% chance of winning according to KenPom).  Baylor executed almost flawlessly when the game was on the liine.  
• 12-15 from the free throw line was good to see.  

Needs Attention

• Need to continue to work on getting tougher with the ball.  LJ Cryer, Dale Bonner, Flo Thamba, Caleb Lohner all had plays where Gonzaga just easily ripped the ball away.  In close games, ball security is job security.  
• Baylor has been a good rebounding time this season but Gonzaga did get the best of the Bears on the glass.  Baylor won’t be winning these type of games in the future if they are outrebounded by 15.  
• A little too much pounding the air out of the ball by the guards.  Need to continue to look to get the ball and defense moving with passing and probing the defense.  Bonner is probably the best at this which creates open looks for teammates.