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Baylor Basketball

Gameday Thread: #11 Baylor (19-7; 8-5) vs #2 Houston (23-3; 10-3)

February 22, 2024
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#11 Baylor (19-7; 8-5) hosts #2 Houston (23-3; 10-3) Saturday February 24 at 11am CST.  The game will be televised on CBS.

KenPom Prediction:  Houston 70 Baylor 67

Torvik Prediction:  Houston 69 Baylor 64

Evan Miyakawa:  Houston 73 Baylor 68

Haslametrics:  Houston 68 Baylor 64


Coaches

Houston:   Kelvin Sampson (68); 754-348 overall (255-77 at UH); 17 NCAAs; 7 Sweet 16s; 4 Elite 8s; 2 Final 4s

Baylor:  Scott Drew (53); 460-250 overall (440-239 at Baylor); 11 NCAAs; 5 Sweet 16s; 3 Elite 8s; FF; 1 National Championship

Head to Head:  6-1 Sampson


Houston Starters

Guard:  Jamal Shead (SR) 6-1 200 lbs; 13 ppg; 4 reb; 6 asst; 45% FG; 35% 3pt; 80% FT

Guard: LJ Cryer (SR) 6-1 200 lbs; 15 ppg; 2 reb; 2 asst; 40% FG; 38% 3pt; 86% FT

Guard: Emanuel Sharp (SO) 6-3 205 lbs; 13 ppg; 4 reb; 38% FG; 35%pt; 84% FT

Forward:  javier Francis (JR) 6-8 240 lbs; 6 ppg; 6 reb; 61% FG; 54% FT

Forward:  J’Wan Roberts (SR) 6-7 235 lbs; 9 ppg; 7 reb; 2 asst; 55% 52% FT

Houston Bench

Guard:  Mylik Wilson (SR) 6-2 175 lbs; 4 ppg; 3 reb; 39% FG; 20% 3pt; 63% FT

Forward:  Joseph Tugler (FR) 6-7 230 lbs; 4 ppg; 4 reb; 53% FG; 46% FT

Guard: Ramon Walker (JR) 6-4 210 lbs; 2 ppg; 3 reb; 33% FG; 30% 3pt; 65% FT

Guard:  Damian Dunn (SR) 6-5 205 lbs; 7 ppg; 2 reb; 36% FG; 32% 3pt; 67% FT


Baylor Starters

Guard:  RayJ Dennis (SR) 6-3 180 lbs; 13 ppg; 4 reb; 7 asst;  49% FG; 38% 3pt; 71% FT

Guard:  Jayden Nunn (JR) 6-3 190 lbs; 11 ppg; 3 reb; 2 asst; 48% FG; 45% 3pt; 68% FT 

Guard:  Ja’Kobe Walter (FR) 6-5 185 lbs; 14 ppg; 5 reb; 2 asst; 39% FG; 32% 3pt; 85% FT

Forward:  Jalen Bridges (JR) 6-9 225 lbs; 11 ppg; 5 reb; 2 asst; 45% FG; 39% 3pt; 86% FT

Forward:  Yves Missi (FR) 6-11 220 lbs; 11 ppg; 6 reb; 2 blocks; 65% FG; 59% FT

Baylor Bench

Guard:  Langston Love (SO) 6-5 210 lbs; 11 ppg; 3 reb; 46% FG; 49% 3pt; 79% FT

Forward:  Caleb Lohner (JR) 6-8 235 lbs; 2 ppg; 2 reb; 54% FG; 22% 3pt; 79% FT

Forward:  Josh Ojianwuna (SO) 6-10 240 lbs; 5 ppg; 3 reb; 79% FG; 59% FT

Guard:  Miro Little (FR) 6-4 185 lbs; 2 ppg; 47% FG; 38% 3pt; 72% FT

Discussion from...

Gameday Thread: #11 Baylor (19-7; 8-5) vs #2 Houston (23-3; 10-3)

50,339 Views | 417 Replies | Last: 9 mo ago by bear2be2
historian
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Sic 'em Bears!!!
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
MrGolfguy
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Just win Bears!
Oldbear83
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A loss would be depressing after the opportunity lost at BYU, but a win over a top 5 Houston team would be truly inspiring!
IowaBear
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My gut feeling is they smoke us. Granted my gut told me we would beat BYU.
I think it's going to take a monster game from Walter to have a chance. And we're going to have to attack the glass defensively at will. All 5 to the boards.
We're somewhat playing with house $$ as all the pressure is on Houston to hold onto the conference lead.
Hopefully Foster creates a big time HC advantage Saturday we're gonna need it.
GO BEARS
Quinton
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Interesting. I had the gut about going to BYU. Didn't think they could pull it off. I don't think this is any kind of destruction. I think we could them out of their pace and into a more shoot out type game similar to their game against Texas.

Either way had they beat BYU and Love didn't go down, had this as a win. Now.. think it's a toss up. Wouldn't be shocked if it goes like the game against Iowa St without the officiating debacle.

It was just obvious this was the most upset Drew has been post game this entire season. Rebounding will be hammered home this week. I expect rebounding to be closer than expected
IowaBear
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We're going to have to hit 3's at an incredibly good pace in order to have a shot imo. Doubt we get much in the lane. We've been rather mediocre from 3 as a team in conference. Has to change Saturday for us to have a shot. All imo of course. Any given Saturday
DanaDane
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I fear Houston will do to us the same as Michigan St, Iowa St and KU, meaning we will turn the ball over 20+ times against their aggressive D. Poor movement by others will result in RayJ getting trapped continuously and when he gets trapped he tends to panic because there's no one to whom he can pass the ball as Walter, Nunn and Bridges stand around like statues without coming back to the ball. It's what has happened on a high percentage of RayJ's TOs this year. The only way this won't happen is if the refs call the game closely and don't allow UH to play aggressively. If that happens, it would be the first time this season UH wasn't allowed to play tackle basketball so I'm not relying on a closely called game.

The good news is we beat Iowa St in spite of it and we almost beat KU in Allen Fieldhouse. If we hit an extremely high percentage of outside shots against UH, we could overcome the TOs but we're so streaky from a shooting standpoint I don't have a ton of confidence in that either. Add on top I'm fairly sure we'll have no Langston Love Saturday and it spells for a potentially long day.

It would be phenomenal if we win, but I just don't see it happening. But, then again, I thought we were gonna play much better in Provo than we did and was convinced we were gonna steal one on the road there. Either way, feel free to come back and razz me in this thread after the game if we win. I will gladly eat a huge serving of crow if we could get a win here.

Quinton
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If we hit at the clip you're suggesting from 3, we win no doubt. The road games I've seen them play @ Tex, byu, Cincy, Xavier, a&m none of those teams shot great and they were all tied or one possession games at 5 minutes.

The big concern is rebounding (obviously) and Bu's closing struggles v Shead's new found clutch offensive game. He's carried them to multiple late game wins. I don't trust the energy this team brings while you know 100% Hou will bring max effort.
Quinton
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Might be controversial, but I feel we quietly dominated Iowa St. I say this bc based on what I was hearing about ISU, I was surprised by how it went down.

I completely discount the action post officiating debacle . Anybody who has played knows most teams who get shook up after that. I don't blame them.

I also see a team shook on the road. I think Ku and Michigan st look totally different at home. Maybe I'm overvaluing home v away but I see this team capable of beating anyone (outside of the UConn that didn't roll out of bed v Creighton) at home.
DanaDane
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Trust me, I'm hoping your take is spot on Quinton! Hopefully the friendly confines of Foster will help play a big difference in the outcome as we're playing in a more comfortable environment.
Quinton
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With Love I think we pull it off. This changes things dramatically but I think they still have an okay shot. Maybe I'm foolish but we'll find out.

I will say I did think at BYU would be our pivot game that could lead to a huge finish. Thought it was our hardest game left on the schedule. I would be a lot more confident had they won that game.

Some possible positive spin.. Drew sounded much more ticked than usual at the effort and rebounding. Mentioned the big 12 spiel but didn't lean on life in the big 12 theme and was clearly upset at the loss and effort. Wouldn't be shocked to see intensity matched on Saturday.
DanaDane
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As you aptly stated above, that will be a huge key. There's no doubt UH will come out in full intensity like they have every game and we will have to match it. If we don't, I can easily see shades of Michigan St/Marquette appearing again. Gotta believe our guys will be pumped for a national CBS broadcast and I'm sure Drew is all over them the past couple of days.
Oldbear83
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Quinton said:

With Love I think we pull it off. This changes things dramatically but I think they still have an okay shot. Maybe I'm foolish but we'll find out.

I will say I did think at BYU would be our pivot game that could lead to a huge finish. Thought it was our hardest game left on the schedule. I would be a lot more confident had they won that game.

Some possible positive spin.. Drew sounded much more ticked than usual at the effort and rebounding. Mentioned the big 12 spiel but didn't lean on life in the big 12 theme and was clearly upset at the loss and effort. Wouldn't be shocked to see intensity matched on Saturday.
Very good post, and I'd say if Love is able to play Saturday the combination of Love, our practices post-Mormon game and the fact that we are seriously due for a good game against a good opponent means we win Saturday.

If Love can't play, we lose unless Jakobe has a career day from 3 range.
Stefano DiMera
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Never had BYU as a win. After the KState debacle I said mark Provo and Lubbock down as losses.

Young teams aren't great on road and while we may be a tad better since Manhattan it's not yet good enough in this league.
Quinton
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I think that's right. I had @ byu and @ tech as our two most difficult games remaining.. not bc they are great teams but bc they have great home courts which I value over favorable matchups (to a point of course)
william
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Viva Dalepata!

- el KKM

Go Bears!
Are you a man or a mouse!? - F. D.
boognish_bear
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boognish_bear
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Anyone want to take a stab on where Vegas will set the line?

I'm thinking UH -3 or -4
SIC EM 94
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boognish_bear said:

Anyone want to take a stab on where Vegas will set the line?

I'm thinking UH -3 or -4

Houston -2.5 is what I'm seeing right now!
boognish_bear
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FWIW.... when they played Kansas on the road UH was a -1.5 favorite
Stefano DiMera
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I hate 11am basketball...so dumb dumb..
Oldbear83
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Stefano DiMera said:

I hate 11am basketball...so dumb dumb..
I'm good with it. By 130 I will know if I am going to re-watch the game, or something else to enjoy my Saturday.
Stefano DiMera
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Quinton
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boognish_bear said:

FWIW.... when they played Kansas on the road UH was a -1.5 favorite


Self was looking to send a message though. I want to see them come out with that same intensity.
LIB,MR BEARS
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That was a nice National Anthem
Limited IQ Redneck in PU
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Great crowd. Great anthem. Excited to be here at game
I have found theres only two ways to go:
Living fast or dying slow.
I dont want to live forever.
But I will live while I'm here.
CHP Bear
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Sure hope that isn't the highlight of the game. Oh well, turnabout is fair play.
Bearsalwayswin
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I love the booing
ImABearToo
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Paint is clogged up.
Stefano DiMera
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As I said in BYU thread..the length of their guards is so obvious against us.
ImABearToo
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And the layups against us continue.
Quinton
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Stefano DiMera said:

As I said in BYU thread..the length of their guards is so obvious against us.


Their guards are small (in reach too). It's just lateral movement and really bad feet. We're playing terrible so far, yes.
HuttoBear
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So negative is your attitude- give em a chance
CHP Bear
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We are digging the hole deeper.
ImABearToo
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Deer in the headlights look.
 
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