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Baylor Basketball

Postgame Takeaways: #1 Baylor 79, #16 Hartford 55

March 19, 2021
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#1 Seed Baylor (23-2) uses suffocating defense to knock #16 Seed Hartford (15-9) out of the tourney 79-55.  The Bears next opponent Sunday March 21st will be the winner of #8 Seed North Carolina (18-10) and #9 Seed Wisconsin (17-12).  

Richard & Sarah Rogers give us an eyewitness report of what they saw in this podcast.  

Positives

  • Defense was suffocating.  Held Hartford under 60 points.  15 steals; 24 turnovers forced; 35% from field and 23% from 3.  Only flaw defensively was terrible free throw shooting defense (80% 12-15 for the Hawks). 
  • Didn’t have a great night of shooting (42% from field; 33% from 3; 60% from FT) but 14 offensive rebounds was good; didn’t turn it over (10) and shared the ball. 
  • Loved seeing Flagler get going off the bench with three 3 pointers and 12 points.  Thought his effort was outstanding.  Jon played with energy, a bit hurried but he was back from an energy standpoint.  Matt was terrific on the glass- 9 rebounds and chipped in 8 points.  Filled the gap with Vital in foul trouble. 
  • Great to see Jared with 9 assists.  Didn’t have his best shooting night but 5 steals, 9 assists were big. 
  • MaCio so steady.  Davion’s efforts incredible.  Loved the way Flo played even though he didn’t finish well in the first half.  Much better in the second. 

Needs Work

  • A few turnovers (maybe 3 or 4) in transition where the outlet passer got in a hurry and Hartford was sitting on that. 
  • We knew coming into the game that Hartford’s free throw defense was elite (#18 in KenPom) and we did nothing to change that narrative with only 60% (6-10). 
  • If we play defense like we did, we are going to be a really hard out but we need to knock down our open looks at a little higher rate.  I’m encouraged. 

 

 
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