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Baylor Basketball
MBB: Podcast and Reaction to Baylor's 87-78 win over Villanova
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Baylor (5-1) beats Villanova (4-2) to win the Myrtle Beach Invitational Classic. This was one of the best November basketball games I've seen. Great competitiveness; offensive efficiency and effort from both teams.
Positives
- Valuing the basketball and shot selection were elite! Baylor only had 5 turnovers and shot the ball extremely well: 54% FG; 58% 3pt; 78% FT. That’s winning basketball.
- Jared Butler (22 points); Macio Teague (18 points); Davion Mitchell (13 points) all made plays when they were needed. Baylor trailed Villanova 57-51 and then went on a 36-21 run to close out the game.
- Mark Vital didn’t “stuff the stat sheet” like he normally does. But when Baylor was behind he stepped to the line and made 2 really big free throws. He brings the energy every game and it is contagious.
- Huge effort from Matthew Mayer off the bench in the first half- 10 points; 3 rebounds; 1 assist and zero turnovers. I’ve said before that Mayer has a higher ceiling than Kegler and I think the first half (against one of the top 10 basketball programs in the country) showed us why. Clark and Mayer may hold the keys to how good this team can be.
- Bears guarded the perimeter well in the second half: 2-10
Needs Work
- Outrebounded for the second game in a row. The Wildcats held a 28-24 advantage on the glass against the Bears
- Cleaning up some areas, a handful of drives into traffic and then jumping in the air with no plan (Mitchell, Bandoo). Teague’s foul on the 3 at the end of the half. Freddie pushing in the back at the end of the half. Slow reactions to back door cuts.
A great win against a great program. This will pay dividends in March on selection Sunday.
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