Hoops preview: Texas at Baylor (By: Chris Flanagan)

[HornSports Staff]

in Texas Longhorns Basketball By Chris Flanagan
 
#19/20 Texas (14-6, 3-4 Big 12) at #20/19 Baylor (15-5, 3-4 Big 12)

Saturday, January 31 – 5:00PM (CST)

• At: Ferrell Center - Waco, Texas
• Broadcast: National TV on ESPN2

Prediction

Baylor is a smaller team than Texas. Their only frontcourt threat is Rico Gathers, but Baylor has a pesky small guard in Kenny Chery. The Horns seem to struggle against guards that can run who are also deadly from 3 point range.

This game is a "Justify why you should be in the Top 8 seeds" type of game. Seeding is crucial in any tournament, but even moreso in a single elimination tournament. If Texas is a 7 or 8 seed in the NCAA's, they will likely have to play one of the top teams in the country in the second round. In other words, if Texas wants a chance to make it to the Sweet Sixteen, they need this game.

I think Texas showed plenty of fight by getting back into the game in Ames but they must start faster in Waco. I believe they will and will get a much needed win.

Texas 67-Baylor 62

The Texas vs Baylor series:

• Texas leads the all-time series 160-83.

• The two teams’ last meeting was in the 2014 Big 12 tournament. Baylor won 86-69.

• Texas has won three of the last four meetings in the series.

• Texas is 29-8 versus Baylor during the Rick Barnes era.

• The Longhorns are 67-48 against the Bears when the teams play in Waco.

• Texas and Baylor have competed in the same conference since 1915 (Southwest Conference and Big 12), and the two teams are the most common opponent in each other’s history. The only season Texas and Baylor did not meet since 1906 was in 1908, when the Longhorns did not field a team.

Texas notes:

• Texas is converting 74% from the free throw line (tops in the Big 12) on the year, including a 77% mark in Big 12 Conference play. Six players (of UT's current nine-player rotation) are shooting at least 77% from the line.

• In the loss at Iowa State, junior guard Javan Felix had a season-high 20 points (7-of-8 FG, 4-of-4 threes) in 29 minutes. Sophomore guard Isaiah Taylor registered 17 points in 33 minutes. The two guards also combined for 16 assists against just one turnover.

• In Ames, Texas scored 61 points in the second half - the most points scored in a single half this season. UT converted 10-of-15 (.667) three-pointers during the second half.

• Against the Cyclones, Texas allowed opponent team season highs in points (89), field goal percentage (.547), free throws made (25-of-38) and assists (20).

Baylor notes:

• Like Texas, Baylor is in the nation's top 5 in rebounding margin at +10.3 rpg (4th nationally). Baylor is 3rd nationally with 15.9 offensive rebounds per game.

• Baylor has had 6 different players lead the team in scoring in its 7 Big 12 games this season.

• Baylor's defense has held teams to an average of 11.8 points below their season scoring averages. The Bears have held 18 of 20 opponents under their season scoring averages, including 12 times at least 10 points below. Baylor is 1 of 9 Division I teams to hold all opponents under 75 points this season.

• All 5 Baylor starters average 8.5-11.0 points per game, and reserve Taurean Prince leads the team with 12.2 ppg. Five BU players have scored 20+ points in a game this season (Chery, Gathers, Motley, O'Neale and Prince).

• Rico Gathers ranks 2nd nationally in both offensive (5.5) and total rebounds (11.9) per game.

• Kenny Chery has scored 91 points in his last 6 games (15.2 ppg) and ranks 6th in the Big 12 with 13.6 ppg in conference play.

• Royce O'Neale is the Big 12's only player ranked in the league's top 15 in assists and rebounds.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

I didn't know Baylor & UT are each other's most common opponent. Surprises me.