Texas Tech hands Baylor biggest loss of season in Big 12 opener

Without Jo Lual-Acuil, it’s difficult to diagnose the problem in a loss but losing 77-53 visiting No. 22 Texas Tech, there’s more than one issue at hand.

Rebounding can’t start and end with Lual-Acuil

As stated before, it’s difficult to assess where the problems start and end without Big Jo in the lineup. But losing the rebound game 39-21 is as serious a malady as they come. Tech's 15 offensive rebounds were more than Baylor had total- Baylor's eight offensive boards severely limited the second-chance points that could have tightened the first half.

Grabbing missed shots is the Bears’ signature. Baylor could hardly even show up in the paint. Nuni Omot ended as the team’s leading rebounder with five boards.

For a team as big as Baylor, getting worked over in the paint is crippling. Tech took away second-chance opportunities 80 percent of the time. Coupled with the forced shots inside, things went downhill quick.

Mark Vital earns good attention

With Lual-Acuil out and Terry Maston limited while still on the mend, Vital proved to be a lone highlight.

The freshman forward has come into his own the past couple weeks in a larger role. With his first start tonight in Lual-Acuil's place, he left as the team's leading scorer with 12 points. He was right behind fellow freshman Tristan Clark's four rebounds.

His missed dunk in the second half is a real freshman moment, as was a foul-turnover minutes before. He and Clark both had a foul within 30 seconds of the game too. But between Vital's string of blocks and ability to score inside and lock down an offense, he's on the right track.

Three-point game was as poor as expected

Considering the hole the Bears fell into early on, it’s surprising to see the Bears attempted just 12 treys. It's the lowest mark of the season (and not so coincidentally, the lowest point total of the season). Not to sugarcoat, but that at least is a testament to the control and patience the roster can have.

With Tech glued around the perimeter as it has defense has all season, Baylor fell right in line. The Red Raiders allow only 30 percent of shot to fall through beyond the arc. The Bears' 25 percent shooting is a shade under that mark but only tipped the scale late in the game during garbage time.

This is an area where Lual-Acuil is a tangential influence. His presence could have opened up doors inside and freed the outside game but pure shooters like Lecomte and McClure have to step up.

The latter shot 2-of-3 from deep but Lecomte, for all his moments as a sharpshooter came up short. He made 1-of-6 on the night, tied for his worst mark since arriving in Waco. Credit due to a tight Tech defense but Lecomte's cold spell can't last much longer.