Story Poster
Photo by Jack Mackenzie - SicEm365.com
Baylor Basketball

Gameday Thread: Baylor Heads West to Face Arizona State

January 9, 2025
52,774

Baylor (10-4, 2-1) travels to the Grand Canyon State for a match-up against Arizona State (10-4, 2-1) Saturday January 11th at 8:30 p.m. CST. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Predictions

KenPom: Baylor 73, Arizona State 70

Torvik: Baylor 71, Arizona State 69

Evan Miyakawa: Baylor 77, Arizona State 69

Haslemetrics: Baylor 72, Arizona State 68

Coaches

Arizona State: Bobby Hurley (53) 207-154 (165-135 at ASU); 4 NCAAs

Baylor: Scott Drew (54); 476-259 overall (456-248 at Baylor); 12 NCAAs; 5 Sweet 16s; 3 Elite 8s; FF; 1 National Championship

Head to Head: 1-0 Drew

Arizona State Starters

  • Guard: Alston Mason (Sr.) 6-2 175 lbs; 12 ppg; 3 asst; 43% FG; 35% 3pt; 84% FT
  • Guard: Adam Miller (Sr.) 6-3 190 lbs; 10 ppg; 3 reb; 45% FG; 46% 3pt; 81% FT
  • Guard: BJ Freeman (Sr.) 6-6 200 lbs; 12 ppg; 4 reb; 3 asst; 40% FG; 31% 3pt; 77% FT
  • Forward: Jayden Quaintance (Fr.) 6-9 230 lbs; 9 ppg; 8 reb; 3 blks; 51% FG; 17% 3pt; 49% FT
  • Forward: Basheer Jihad (Sr.) 6-9 240 lbs; 13 ppg; 6 reb; 47% FG; 35% 3pt; 75% FT

Arizona State Bench

  • *Guard: Joson Sanon (Fr.) 6-5 200 lbs; 14 ppg; 4 reb; 48% FG; 48% 3pt; 69% FT
  • Forward: Amier Ali (Fr.) 6-8 210 lbs; 5 ppg; 2 reb; 37% FG; 31% pt; 69% FT
  • Forward: Shawn Phillips (Jr.) 7-0 245 lbs; 3 ppg; 4 reb; 55% FG; 57% FT

*sat out last two games with an ankle injury

Baylor Starters

  • Guard: Jeremy Roach (Sr.) 6-2 180 lbs; 12 ppg; 4 asst; 43% FG; 36% 3pt; 75% FT
  • Guard: Jayden Nunn (Sr.) 6-4 190 lbs; 11 ppg; 3 reb; 41% FG; 47% 3pt; 57% FT
  • Guard: VJ Edgecombe (Fr.) 6-5 190 lbs; 12 ppg; 6 reb; 3 asst; 3 st; 41% FG; 30% 3pt 72% FT
  • Forward: Norchad Omier (Sr.) 6-7 245 lbs; 16 ppg; 11 reb; 2 steals; 60% FG; 24% 3pt; 74% FT
  • Forward: Josh Ojianwuna (Jr.) 6-10 255 lbs; 8 ppg; 7 reb; 75% FG; 64% FT

Baylor Bench

  • *Guard: Langston Love (Jr.) 6-5 215 lbs; 7 ppg; 3 reb; 36% FG; 29% 3pt; 75% FT 
  • *Forward: Jalen Celestine (Sr.) 6-7 215 lbs; 8 ppg; 3 reb; 39% FG; 38% 3pt; 100% FT
  • Guard: Rob Wright (Fr.) 6-1 180 lbs; 12 ppg; 5 asst; 47% FG; 41% 3pt; 77% FT
  • Forward: Jason Asemota (FR) 6-8 200 lbs; 2 ppg; 2 reb; 43% FG; 27% 3pt; 33% FT

*sat out the last two games with injuries

Discussion from...

Gameday Thread: Baylor Heads West to Face Arizona State

20,372 Views | 260 Replies | Last: 14 days ago by boognish_bear
Mitch Henessey
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:56p, 1/11/25
The freshmen are doing yeoman's work tonight!
Reply Quote
1
Johnny Bear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:57p, 1/11/25
At least Edgecombe came to play. He's even hitting from beyond the arc!
Reply Quote
BearFan33
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Mitch Henessey • 8:57p, 1/11/25
Mitch Henessey said:
The freshmen are doing yeoman's work tonight!


Yes they are carrying us
Reply Quote
boognish_bear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:57p, 1/11/25
Edge straight ballin'
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Mitch Henessey • 8:57p, 1/11/25
Mitch Henessey said:
You can see it all starting to click for VJ. The flip side of that is Omier has been brutal tonight.

On the other end, we need to do something about Freeman, or he's going to go for 25+ against us.
This is the second really good game in a row for Edgecombe. It's nice to see him staying aggressive without playing too fast.
Reply Quote
4
IowaBear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:58p, 1/11/25
VJ is really starting to gain confidence. If Roach and Nunn get their crap together we could really start to see this teams potential
Reply Quote
2
1 edit
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:59p, 1/11/25
VJ literally moves so fluidly he looks like a gazelle gliding down the court.
Reply Quote
1
BUCANDOIT82
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:59p, 1/11/25
I wish our Freshman would quit shooting…They're inefficiencies are frustrating…We can't win if this keeps up.
Reply Quote
Mitch Henessey
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bear2be2 • 9:00p, 1/11/25
bear2be2 said:
Mitch Henessey said:
You can see it all starting to click for VJ. The flip side of that is Omier has been brutal tonight.

On the other end, we need to do something about Freeman, or he's going to go for 25+ against us.
This is the second really good game in a row for Edgecombe. It's nice to see him staying aggressive without playing too fast.
Yes, and not settling for contested 3's. He can get to the rim seemingly at will, so it's good to see him be aggressive.
Reply Quote
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:00p, 1/11/25
Shouldn't have been a foul. He shuffled his feet the minute he got the ball.
Reply Quote
Mitch Henessey
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to IowaBear • 9:01p, 1/11/25
IowaBear said:
VJ is really starting to gain confidence. If Roach and Nunn get their crap together we could really start to see this teams potential
The next good game Nunn has against a team with a pulse this season will be the first.
Reply Quote
1
IowaBear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Mitch Henessey • 9:05p, 1/11/25
Almost wonder if you try Wright at PG and slide Roach to the 2. Go with Wright/Roach/VJ/Omier/Josh to start games and see how that looks
Reply Quote
1
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:05p, 1/11/25
The turnovers are mounting. We need to value possession of the basketball more than we are right now.
Reply Quote
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:07p, 1/11/25
Omier is incredible at wiggling his big body between and around defenders and getting short shots.
Reply Quote
2
Mitch Henessey
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to IowaBear • 9:08p, 1/11/25
IowaBear said:
Almost wonder if you try Wright at PG and slide Roach to the 2. Go with Wright/Roach/VJ/Omier/Josh to start games and see how that looks
I wouldn't be opposed to that. I agree with a lot of posters here that Roach is more of a combo guard than a PG, but I worry about the size of that starting backcourt. Not that Nunn is that much bigger than either Roach or Wright, though.
Reply Quote
2 edits
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 9:08p, 1/11/25
Big12Fan2024 said:
Omier is incredible at wiggling his big body between and around defenders and getting short shots.
He's an elite post scorer. He needs to stay down there, though. Our offense goes to **** when he starts hovering around the perimeter.
Reply Quote
1
vanillabryce
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:08p, 1/11/25
ASU is only 95 in KenPom off rating, but so far I've been impressed with the defense. It seems like we have a few guys that are giving it a little more effort and focus.
Reply Quote
1
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to vanillabryce • 9:09p, 1/11/25
vanillabryce said:
ASU is only 95 in KenPom off rating, but so far I've been impressed with the defense. It seems like we have a few guys that are giving it a little more effort and focus.
Our defense is improving. It's been really good the last two games.
Reply Quote
1
Quinton
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:10p, 1/11/25
Good to see him knock down a 3, but Nunn needs to produce something against top 100 teams. Feasted on bad teams this year.
Reply Quote
Mitch Henessey
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to vanillabryce • 9:11p, 1/11/25
vanillabryce said:
ASU is only 95 in KenPom off rating, but so far I've been impressed with the defense. It seems like we have a few guys that are giving it a little more effort and focus.
I think our defense is starting to gel a little bit. Granted, Cincy is cheeks on offense, but we've looked like we give a crap the past few games, which is more than could be said for much of this season.
Reply Quote
1
BearFan33
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:12p, 1/11/25
ASU guy out of control
Reply Quote
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:12p, 1/11/25
Asemota seems like his game and body are most similar to Ant Jones.
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Mitch Henessey • 9:12p, 1/11/25
Mitch Henessey said:
vanillabryce said:
ASU is only 95 in KenPom off rating, but so far I've been impressed with the defense. It seems like we have a few guys that are giving it a little more effort and focus.
I think our defense is starting to gel a little bit. Granted, Cincy is cheeks on offense, but we've looked like we give a crap the past few games, which is more than could be said for much of this season.
I don't care that much about the opponent quality. I'm just happy to see some intensity on that end of the floor. That has consistently been a missing ingredient the last three years.
Reply Quote
1
Mitch Henessey
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:13p, 1/11/25
Beautiful from Wright, absolutely cooking Quaintance there.
Reply Quote
BearFan33
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:14p, 1/11/25
We need to get some of those whistles ref
Reply Quote
BearFan33
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:17p, 1/11/25
Josh!
Reply Quote
Mitch Henessey
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:18p, 1/11/25
Would have been nice to get that final bucket, but aside from the foul trouble, that was a really good half of basketball.
Reply Quote
2
BearFan33
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:19p, 1/11/25
It must not be loud in there

I can hear Scott's instructions
Reply Quote
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:19p, 1/11/25
We are pounding them on the boards 21-14 and shooting almost 45% from 3 with good shot selection.
Reply Quote
1 edit
Quinton
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:19p, 1/11/25
Josh is playing really sound basketball the last several games. It's not like he was good even against the lesser comp earlier this year but he looks so much smoother and more aware now.
Reply Quote
2
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:23p, 1/11/25
No FGs in the final 5 minutes of the half for ASU and we were playing a very short lineup of Wright, Roach, Nunn, VJ and Josh for the majority of that time. ASU shooting 27% from the floor. Defensive intensity is so much better than what it was earlier in the year.
Reply Quote
IowaBear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:26p, 1/11/25
I hate getting ahead of things but man that schedule after the Az game Tuesday is VERY favorable for a few weeks. If we can finish off ASU we should be in a great position regardless of the Zona result
Reply Quote
BUCANDOIT82
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to IowaBear • 9:28p, 1/11/25
IowaBear said:
Almost wonder if you try Wright at PG and slide Roach to the 2. Go with Wright/Roach/VJ/Omier/Josh to start games and see how that looks


Very original idea!
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Mitch Henessey • 9:28p, 1/11/25
Mitch Henessey said:
Would have been nice to get that final bucket, but aside from the foul trouble, that was a really good half of basketball.
Agreed. Good half of basketball.

This isn't a bad team. I just think it's a high-floor, low-ceiling bunch.

It's nice to be in a place as a program where you can be confident of a top-six conference finish and a solid tournament seed pretty much every year. We've just got to get over that first weekend hump that's been tripping us up since the title run. We invest too much and recruit too well for that to be our ceiling.
Reply Quote
1
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to IowaBear • 9:30p, 1/11/25
IowaBear said:
I hate getting ahead of things but man that schedule after the Az game Tuesday is VERY favorable for a few weeks. If we can finish off ASU we should be in a great position regardless of the Zona result
This year's Big 12 isn't very good compared to recent years. We should expect 11 or 12 wins minimum.

To get Utah, Cincinnati and TCU twice is a pretty favorable schedule. And even Houston and Arizona aren't vintage squads for those programs.
Reply Quote
1 edit
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.