Postgame Podcast & Thoughts: #21 Baylor 81 Texas Tech 74

#21 Baylor (13-5; 3-3) puts together an offensive masterpiece (1.40 points per possession) to walk into Lubbock and knock out the Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-8; 0-6) 81-74. 

Positives

- LJ Cryer’s shooting.  He’s 8-9 from 3 point range in his last 4 games.  He’s now up to 40% for the year and 50% in Big12 play.  When he performs like this offensively, Baylor is going to be really tough to beat.  College version of the Golden State Warriors.   

- Keyonte George continues to play like an All-American. He gave Baylor another special road performance, 27 points and 6 rebounds.  18 of those points in the second half.  

- Only 3 turnovers to 16 assists.  To play that well on the road is fantastic.  The 1.40 points per possession is elite.  That catapulted the Bears to #1 in offensive efficiency on KenPom.  As Bill Walton says, “offense wins championships”

- Free throw defense (8-15) was on point

- Our frontcourt gave us a lot of good things- Flo, Josh, Caleb and Jalen were all very efficient in the minutes they were given.  Jalen Bridges gave us a great lift in the first half scoring all 14 of his points.  

- Adam had an off shooting night but he played with a lot of poise- 5 assists to zero turnovers and 3 steals

Needs Work

- Still a lot of missed assignments and lackadaisical defense.  Gave up 1.28 points per possession to Texas Tech.  The Bears fell to 104 in adjusted defensive efficiency on KenPom.  

- Langston Love had another tough outing offensively.  If he turns the corner, look out.  Just not making shots right now. 

If the Bears can find a way to win in Norman, they set themselves up for being 5-4 or 6-3 at the turn.  I think the Bears can go 7-2 in the last 9 with a healthy team and set themselves up for a chance at another Big12 title.  Most of the teams in the league will have 3 game losing streaks, hopefully we got ours out of the way early.