Game Thread: Baylor Basketball Opens Season against Northwestern State

WACO – Baylor men’s basketball (0-0) takes on Northwestern State (0-0) to open the 2026-27 season on Monday, Nov. 3, at 8:30 p.m. CT, at Foster Pavilion. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Computer Models

Torvik: Baylor (46), Northwestern State (286)

• Prediction: Baylor 88, Northwestern State 62

KenPom: Baylor (35), Northwestern State (302)

• Prediction: Baylor 87, Northwestern State 61

Haslametrics: Baylor (37), Northwestern State (299)

• Prediction: Baylor 89, Northwestern State 61

Evan Miyakawa: Baylor (26), Northwestern State (292)

• Prediction: Baylor 93, Northwestern State 62

Projected Lineups

Baylor Starters

• Guard: Kaden Mingo (So.) 6-3, 195 (14 ppg; 4 asst); Penn State transfer
• Guard: Brett Decker (Jr.) 6-3, 200 (17 ppg; 47% 3pt); Liberty transfer
• Guard: Dylan Mingo (Fr.) 6-5, 185 (5-star freshman)
• Forward: Elijah Williams (Fr.) 6-6, 215 (4-star freshman)
• Center: Juslin Bodo Bodo (Sr.) 6-11, 250 (redshirt injury)

Baylor Bench

• Guard: Isaac Williams IV (Jr.) 6-1, 190 (10 ppg; 3 asst)
• Forward: Isaac Celiscar (Jr.) 6-6, 225 (13 ppg; 6 reb); Yale transfer
• Forward: Evan Chatman (Sr.) 6-7, 220 (9 ppg; 9 reb); UAB transfer
• Center: Mayo Soyoye (So.) 6-10 260 (redshirted last year)
• Center: Caden Powell (5Sr.) 6-9, 225 (7 ppg; 6 reb)

Northwestern State Starters

• Guard: Kai Simpson (Jr.) 6-3, 205 (19 ppg; 4 asst); Thomas More transfer
• Guard: Izzy Miles (Sr.) 6-2, 190 (11 ppg)
• Forward: Isaiah Vick (So.) 6-8, 215 (12 ppg; 7 reb); Wingate transfer
• Forward: Nathan Ojukwu (Sr.) 6-7, 225; Dakota State transfer
• Forward: Kordrick Turner (Sr.) 6-6, 240 (4 ppg; 3 reb)

Northwestern State Bench

• Guard: Antoine Almuttar (Fr.) 6-4, 200
• Forward: Dionjahe Thomas (Sr.) 6-8, 230 (5 ppg; 5 reb); Jackson St tr
• Guard: CJ Larry (So.) 6-3, 180 (3 ppg)
• Guard: Doyle Brown (Jr.) 6-2, 190 (17 ppg); Richard Bland JC