Gameday Thread: Baylor Travels To Face Arizona

TUSCON, Arizona – Baylor (12-3, 2-1) hits the road for a matchup against the Arizona Wildcats (11-5, 2-1) on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Tipoff at McKale Center is slated for 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.

• Massey Prediction: Baylor 71, Arizona 63
• Baylor Massey Rating: No. 21
• Arizona Massey Rating: No. 51

Coaches

Baylor (Nicki Collen): 82-31 Record; 3 NCAA Tournaments; Sweet 16

Arizona (Adia Barnes): 161-105 Record; 4 NCAA Tournaments; Sweet 16; Final Four

Baylor Starters

• Guard Jada Walker (5’7, Sr.): 12.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 5.3 APG, 47% FG, 43% 3-PT, 74% FT
• Guard Sarah Andrews (5’6, 5Sr.): 12 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.7 APG, 38% FG, 37% 3-PT, 60% FT
• Forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (6’1, Jr.): 14.5 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, 51% FG, 73% FT
• Forward Bella Fontleroy (6’0, Jr.): 9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 36% FG, 27% 3-PT, 53% FT
• Center Aaronette Vonleh (6’3, Sr.): 13.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 60% FG, 59% FT

Baylor Bench

• Guard Yaya Felder (5’8, Sr.): 11.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.9 APG, 50% FG, 46% 3-PT, 75% FT
• Guard Aliyah Matharu (5’7, Gr.): 0.5 PPG. 0.5 RPG
• Forward Kyla Abraham (6’3, Jr.): 2.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 47% FG, 40% FT
• Forward Madison Bartley (6’3, 5Sr.): 2.8 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 58% FG, 77% FT

Arizona Starters

• Guard Lauryn Swann (5’7, Fr.): 8.1 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1 APG, 46% FG, 38% 3-PT, 68% FT
• Guard Jada Williams (5’8, So.): 11.7 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3 APG, 34% FG, 25% 3-PT, 82% FT
• Guard Mailen Rolf (5’10, Fr.): 3.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 44% FG, 32% 3-PT, 92% FT
• Forward Isis Beh (6’3, Sr.): 4.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1 APG, 54% FG, 93% FT
• Forward Breya Cunningham (6’4, So.): 12.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 65% FG, 50% FT

Arizona Bench

• Guard Skylar Jones (6’0, So.): 10.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2 APG, 48% FG, 35% 3-PT, 75% FT
• Forward Sahnya Jah (6’0, So.): 7.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 36% FG, 36% 3-PT. 58% FT 
• Forward Montaya Dew (6’2, So.): 5.1 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 2.2 APG, 40% FG, 34% 3-PT, 54% FT

Arizona Notable Opponents

• UNLV  (75-66 Win)
• BYU (57-53 Win)
• Utah (69-48 Loss)

Top Quotes

Head coach Nicki Collen on the importance of a swing trip to the Grand Canyon State to play Arizona and Arizona State:

• “If you want to win a conference championship, you have to go on the road and win. You can’t put yourself in a hole. It’s a good opportunity with two games on the road, and fortunately, with no school, it is easier to go out there and stay out there and be road warriors.”

Guard Aliyah Matharu (Gr.) on adjusting to playing at Baylor despite arriving mid-way through the season:

• “The past two weeks, I honestly didn’t expect to get into the game because I knew I was new and came in at such an awkward time, but [I’m] getting reps in practice and trying to go as hard possible on those reps. I feel way more comfortable than when I first got here when I was pretty nervous.”

Guard Jada Walker (Sr.) on the type of impact Matharu can make:

• “She was a great pickup. She brings intensity, and she brings aggressiveness on offense and defense. Once she really picks up the system, that’s a great backcourt that we’ll have with me, Sarah [Andrews], her, Yaya [Felder]. All of our guards are super hard to guard, whether coming off the bench or starting the game. She brings a great impact to our team.”