Find a way to take that looooooooong lunch break today to watch the Bears and Texas.
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(POST GAME ANALYSIS)
We've reached that point of the season where it doesn't really matter how you win as long as you win. Baylor is in the Big 12 tournament semifinals for the third consecutive season.
Baylor's impressive 75-61 victory over Texas in the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals became a product of several factors:
>The No. 20 Bears (22-10) saw their go-to man Taurean Prince assert himself with 24 and make every kind of shot as the Bears built a lead that was as big as 19 points. But the way Prince moved without the ball to free himself up for shots was as good as its been all season. There was a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer in the first half that was just perfect. Of course, he's scored more in games. But this was his most complete performance with 13 rebounds and four assists. He had four turnovers so you're going to have to just accept that this will come with it.
>Baylor's front court found its identity (at least, you hope it did) with Rico Gathers' near double-double performance (13 points, 9 rebounds). I showed more fire than we've seen in the last month. And he should. This is it. Regardless of the NFL situation, perhaps he's appreciating these final moments more and is going all out. He and Baylor got a huge break on his putback that beat the shot clock. I really thought it left his hand after the red light went off but it doesn't matter anymore.
>The 1-3-1 looked very good for the most part. Now, no one is going to confuse Texas as a good jump shooting team. The No. 24 Longhorns (20-12) aren't. They shot only 38 percent and were 5-of-16 on 3-point attempts. Now, there were times when the Longhorns could carve into the middle of the zone and get some looks within 10 feet of the basket. But Texas' big men are not really polished around the basket so that's a risk Baylor could take. Plus, Isaiah Taylor (8 points) struggled again. He's playing with a bad heel. But everybody is playing with something this time of year.
By no means was this perfect because the Bears turned it over 15 times and when they went to the real slowdown game with about 10 minutes to play, I think that hurt them. It fueled Texas' 10-0 run that made this a little interesting. Once the Bears got out of that, they were fine.
It was also a little odd because this was a game where Baylor really didn't need much from point guard Lester Medford -- two assists and one turnover (on a shot clock violation).
Weird stat: Johnathan Motley nine points and no rebounds. I don't know how that happens for a team that outrebounds Texas, 46-27.
But it's on to Friday night against either Kansas or Kansas State. It doesn't matter how you get there just as long as you get there.
Story Link
(POST GAME ANALYSIS)
We've reached that point of the season where it doesn't really matter how you win as long as you win. Baylor is in the Big 12 tournament semifinals for the third consecutive season.
Baylor's impressive 75-61 victory over Texas in the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals became a product of several factors:
>The No. 20 Bears (22-10) saw their go-to man Taurean Prince assert himself with 24 and make every kind of shot as the Bears built a lead that was as big as 19 points. But the way Prince moved without the ball to free himself up for shots was as good as its been all season. There was a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer in the first half that was just perfect. Of course, he's scored more in games. But this was his most complete performance with 13 rebounds and four assists. He had four turnovers so you're going to have to just accept that this will come with it.
>Baylor's front court found its identity (at least, you hope it did) with Rico Gathers' near double-double performance (13 points, 9 rebounds). I showed more fire than we've seen in the last month. And he should. This is it. Regardless of the NFL situation, perhaps he's appreciating these final moments more and is going all out. He and Baylor got a huge break on his putback that beat the shot clock. I really thought it left his hand after the red light went off but it doesn't matter anymore.
>The 1-3-1 looked very good for the most part. Now, no one is going to confuse Texas as a good jump shooting team. The No. 24 Longhorns (20-12) aren't. They shot only 38 percent and were 5-of-16 on 3-point attempts. Now, there were times when the Longhorns could carve into the middle of the zone and get some looks within 10 feet of the basket. But Texas' big men are not really polished around the basket so that's a risk Baylor could take. Plus, Isaiah Taylor (8 points) struggled again. He's playing with a bad heel. But everybody is playing with something this time of year.
By no means was this perfect because the Bears turned it over 15 times and when they went to the real slowdown game with about 10 minutes to play, I think that hurt them. It fueled Texas' 10-0 run that made this a little interesting. Once the Bears got out of that, they were fine.
It was also a little odd because this was a game where Baylor really didn't need much from point guard Lester Medford -- two assists and one turnover (on a shot clock violation).
Weird stat: Johnathan Motley nine points and no rebounds. I don't know how that happens for a team that outrebounds Texas, 46-27.
But it's on to Friday night against either Kansas or Kansas State. It doesn't matter how you get there just as long as you get there.
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