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Baylor Basketball

Gameday Thread: No. 25 Baylor Concludes Grand Canyon State Swing Trip against Arizona

January 13, 2025
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No. 25 Baylor (11-4, 3-1) completes its two-game road trip in Arizona on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 10 p.m. CST at Arizona (10-5, 4-0). The game will be televised on ESPN.

Predictions

KenPom: Arizona 78, Baylor 74

Torvik: Arizona 78, Baylor 72

Evan Miyakawa: Arizona 77, Baylor 73

Haslemetrics: Arizona 77, Baylor 73

Coaches

Arizona: Tommy Lloyd (50) 98-25 3 NCAAs; 2 Sweet 16s

Baylor: Scott Drew (54); 477-259 overall (457-248 at Baylor); 12 NCAAs; 5 Sweet 16s; 3 Elite 8s; FF; 1 National Championship

Head to Head: 0-0 

Arizona Starters

  • Guard: Jaden Bradley (Jr.) 6-3 200 lbs; 12 ppg; 3 reb; 4 asst; 48% FG; 32% 3pt; 77% FT
  • Guard: Caleb Love (Sr.) 6-4 205 lbs; 16 ppg; 5 reb; 3 asst; 40% FG; 32% 3pt; 87% FT
  • Guard: Anthony Dell’ Orso (Jr.) 6-6 190 lbs; 9 ppg; 43% FG; 44% 3pt; 88% FT
  • Forward: Trey Townsend (Sr.) 6-6 235 lbs; 10 ppg; 4 reb; 51% FG; 23% 3pt; 81% FT
  • Forward: Tobe Awaka (Sr.) 6-8 250 lbs; 8 ppg; 7 reb; 59% FG; 33% 3pt; 56% FT

Arizona Bench

  • Guard: KJ Lewis (So.) 6-4 210 lbs; 11 ppg; 4 reb; 51% FG; 22% 3pt; 84% FT
  • Forward: Henri Veesaar (So.) 7-0 235 lbs; 7 ppg; 5 reb; 57% FG; 28% pt; 68% FT
  • Forward: Carter Bryant (Fr.) 6-8 225 lbs; 5 ppg; 3 reb; 49% FG; 31% 3pt; 53% FT

Baylor Starters

  • Guard: Jeremy Roach (Sr.) 6-2 180 lbs; 12 ppg; 4 asst; 41% FG; 34% 3pt; 68% FT
  • Guard: Jayden Nunn (Sr.) 6-4 190 lbs; 11 ppg; 3 reb; 41% FG; 47% 3pt; 68% FT
  • Guard: VJ Edgecombe (Fr.) 6-5 190 lbs; 12 ppg; 6 reb; 3 asst; 2 st; 41% FG; 32% 3pt 71% FT
  • Forward: Norchad Omier (Sr.) 6-7 245 lbs; 16 ppg; 11 reb; 2 steals; 60% FG; 27% 3pt; 74% FT
  • Forward: Josh Ojianwuna (Jr.) 6-10 255 lbs; 8 ppg; 7 reb; 77% FG; 61% 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; 43% 3pt; 78% FT
  • Forward: Jason Asemota (FR) 6-8 200 lbs; 2 ppg; 2 reb; 36% FG; 25% 3pt; 33% FT

*sat out the last three games with injuries

Discussion from...

Gameday Thread: No. 25 Baylor Concludes Grand Canyon State Swing Trip against Arizona

9,253 Views | 139 Replies | Last: 6 min ago by PaperBear89
ImABearToo
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12:09p, 1/13/25
10:30pm tip? Oh my! A late night Sic em!
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Mitch Henessey
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10:23p, 1/13/25
Keys to the game:

1) U of A is undersized, and just got pummeled on the defensive glass by UCF on Saturday, giving up 20 offensive rebounds. Omier and Ojianwuna need to assert themselves down low.

2) Foul trouble. We're incredibly thin right now, so it's important that we keep our small rotation in the game. The McKale Center is a tough place to play, and I don't expect us to get a friendly whistle. Maintaining defensive integrity without fouling is going to be massive, as is Omier avoiding silly fouls 80 feet from the basket.

3) Be mindful of Caleb Love. He's an inefficient chucker, as we know from facing him when he was at UNC, but he's not lacking in confidence. If we let him get going early, he's liable to shoot us out of the game. If we make things tough on him, he's liable to shoot Arizona out of it.

4) Get contributions from Nunn and Roach. Both guys have been in something of a slump lately, although both made some positive plays down the stretch in Tempe. If that can carry over and we get efficient, double-digit scoring from both guys, I like our chances.

5) Big Josh keeps playing big. He's been great lately, especially on the boards. As long as he plays within himself and doesn't try to do too much, I think he'll have a good game against a team whose tallest starter is 6'8".

6) Freshmen continue to grow. At this point, we kind of know what we'll get from VJ: solid defense, great effort, good slashing to the basket. If his shot is falling and he can hit the occasional corner 3, that would be huge. Wright needs to tighten up his ball security and stay aggressive. He could be the X-factor in this one. Anything Asemota gives us is a bonus, and he's been solid in his increased role of late. He needs to finish stronger at the rim, though.

Overall, you have to like our chances, even though Arizona has been playing much better lately. At some point, we need to get a win against a team that's around the same rank and talent level as we are. May as well start on Tuesday in Tucson!
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IowaBear
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In reply to Mitch Henessey • 6:39a, 1/14/25
Excellent post Mitch!
Think we needed to go 1-1 during the AZ trip and we secured that Saturday. Winning tonight would be gravy imo.
Weird feeling win or lose Roach plays really good and makes me eat my words about his recent play.
And kudos to all willing to stay up for this one. Definitely a check the box score in the AM game for me
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LitigiOSO
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In reply to ImABearToo • 8:23a, 1/14/25
ImABearToo said:
10:30pm tip? Oh my! A late night Sic em!
10:00
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MrGolfguy
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9:04a, 1/14/25
Just win Bears!
I don't feel tardy
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boognish_bear
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5:19p, 1/14/25
Seems like Love has been a game time decision since the days of Abner McCall.

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BUCANDOIT82
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In reply to boognish_bear • 5:33p, 1/14/25
This means they haven't had surgery. They could be available tonight, or against Kansas, or Houston, or even next season. Have to win without them
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Stefano DiMera
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In reply to ImABearToo • 5:40p, 1/14/25
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TWD 1974
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In reply to boognish_bear • 7:05p, 1/14/25
boognish_bear said:
Seems like Love has been a game time decision since the days of Abner McCall.

Does it just seem that the game time decisions are being made by Dr. No?
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Johnny Bear
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In reply to TWD 1974 • 9:20p, 1/14/25
TWD 1974 said:
boognish_bear said:
Seems like Love has been a game time decision since the days of Abner McCall.

Does it just seem that the game time decisions are being made by Dr. No?

It may have happened and I've just forgotten, but I can't think of a single time when these " game time decisions" ended up being a "yes".
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ImABearToo
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9:38p, 1/14/25
Feel for the young man and he's been loyal to Baylor. But there comes a point in time….
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BusyTarpDuster2017
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In reply to TWD 1974 • 9:45p, 1/14/25
TWD 1974 said:
boognish_bear said:
Seems like Love has been a game time decision since the days of Abner McCall.

Does it just seem that the game time decisions are being made by Dr. No?
As much as Love's been injured, I'm starting to think his doctor is Dr. Nick Riviera.
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Stefano DiMera
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10:09p, 1/14/25
That's not good Omer.
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whitetrash
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10:11p, 1/14/25
Two chickenpoop fouls on Ormier in the first 90 seconds.

Second one was a charge where you clearly saw the defender with his hand hooked on Ormier's elbow.
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Stefano DiMera
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10:12p, 1/14/25
Can't get a rebound.
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ImABearToo
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10:15p, 1/14/25
Hey Roach, need you to step up.
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Oldbear83
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10:15p, 1/14/25
Can't hit the 3, can't rebound and the refs have called 3 fouls on the Bears and only 1 on the Wildcats.

Down 5 on the scoreboard but we're not looking good right now.

Hope Drew can figure out a way out of this mess.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
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Johnny Bear
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10:16p, 1/14/25
2 points in 4 plus minutes of play.
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Quinton
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10:17p, 1/14/25
I'll catch the rest in the morning, but with Omier out so early I can guess how this goes. Guys are really weak with basketball too. I know Asemota doesn't give the vibe of the program and Drew alluded to him needing to pick it up to get minutes.. but the guy has some edge. He was hacked and was mad.. would like to see more of this.
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Oldbear83
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In reply to Mitch Henessey • 10:18p, 1/14/25
#2 and #4 working against us right now.

That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
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Oldbear83
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10:22p, 1/14/25
We're getting mugged but no call
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
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PantherCityOso
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10:23p, 1/14/25
Our guards are all AWOL tonight
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Fre3dombear
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10:24p, 1/14/25
Seems no over the back will be called
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Johnny Bear
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10:24p, 1/14/25
Getting absolutely destroyed on the offensive glass.
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Oldbear83
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In reply to Fre3dombear • 10:25p, 1/14/25
Fre3dombear said:
Seems no over the back will be called
Turns out you can throw elbows if you a Zona player.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
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ImABearToo
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10:25p, 1/14/25
Our big Russian may need to get a few minutes.
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Oldbear83
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10:29p, 1/14/25
We're letting ourselves get pushed to the perimeter then take low % shots.

And we can't sniff a rebound.

Down 9 now and this could get ugly.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
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PantherCityOso
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10:32p, 1/14/25
Yeah this is going to get ugly.
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bear2be2
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10:32p, 1/14/25
This team just doesn't have it, boys. Every time we play a good team, we get exposed.

It's crazy how difficult offense is for this team. There's just nothing whatsoever dynamic about our guard corps.
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Oldbear83
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10:32p, 1/14/25
I have a 7 AM meeting tomorrow, no choice but to go and hope the Bears get a lot better while I am asleep.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
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Johnny Bear
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10:32p, 1/14/25
And the route is on
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Quinton
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10:33p, 1/14/25
Defense looks pretty bad again. Might have been the terrible offensive teams we played during that stretch. I saw real improvements but man its poor again. I can't say for sure bc they have no bodies right now so fatigue will be a thing. Just a mess
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Oldbear83
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In reply to bear2be2 • 10:33p, 1/14/25
bear2be2 said:
This team just doesn't have it, boys. Every time we play a good team, we get exposed.

It's crazy how hard offense is for this team. There's just nothing whatsoever dynamic about our guard corps.
Would help if the officials applied all the rules. Funny how we never get the home cooking from officials.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
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MashedPotatoes
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10:34p, 1/14/25
This team looks incompetent right now. When Omier got those 2 quick fouls, it seemed to totally ruin the psyche of the team.
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ImABearToo
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10:34p, 1/14/25
Do we just not defend the 3 ….ever?
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