The Bears were very advantageous Saturday. First, they took advantage of a crippled West Virginia team. As you read above, Mountaineer starting point guard Juwan Staten didn't play because of a knee injury. His replacement Gary Brown didn't return with his ankle injury. Also, the Bears have forced a three-way tie for third in the Big 12 with West Virginia and Iowa State.
If the season ended Saturday, Baylor would have the third seed because it went 4-0 against West Virginia and Iowa State. The Bears have already earned a bye through the first round of the Big 12 postseason conference tournament. But it's right in front of them with winnable games Monday at Texas and FRIDAY (SENIOR NIGHT) against Texas Tech in the regular season finale at the Ferrell Center.
The Bears played another efficient game with only eight turnovers but 18 assists leading to 24 made field goals. That's 75 percent of the baskets with the benefit of helpers. What I liked is that the passing was so in sync that the Bears identified the shooter who was in rhythm. That didn't matter if it was Royce O'Neale or Taurean Prince. The Bears had four in double figures with Prince (20), O'Neale (18), Rico Gathers (17) and Al Freeman (10).
Lester Medford played a clunker of a game with no points, no assists and three turnovers. That's why you didn't see him for most of the second half. Those minutes went to Freeman. What an impressive line (10 points, 7 reb, 2 asst.). If he really was in the doghouse for the Texas Tech game, he has certainly played his way out of it. I could see Scott Drew using him more and more in late game situations.
I tweeted this but will add to this: Taurean Prince keeps getting to double figures (now a team-high 23 times, six 20+-point efforts) because he simply understands what he can do with his 6-7 frame. His vertical is such that when he drives, he can take off at the free throw line, stay in control and finger roll it to the goal. Then he can step out and hit a three. He's a tough matchup because you don't whether to guard him on the perimeter or watch him cutting to the basket.
As hot as the Bears were in the first half (64.5 percent), they were flat in the second half (33 percent). But if your team shoots 51 percent for the game, you're usually going to win. The Bears had nearly as many made free throws (15) as points off baskets (18). That definitely helped keep West Virginia at a distance.
A great crowd at the Ferrell Center at 9,385. It was the second-largest crowd of year behind the 9,680 against Texas on Jan. 31. One more time to see this team at home. Maybe one day Waco and the surrounding area will truly appreciate this program.
By the way, the streak is going to end this year. Baylor is in the tournament (do I hear a 3 seed?) and will make the tournament in consecutive seasons for the first time under Scott Drew. This team is usually playing and peaking at the right time - late February and March.
Another double double for Gathers. He now has 15 of those this year. But the highlight windmill dunk in the first half was pretty swag.
Give the Mountaineers credit as they hung in there. They actually outrebounded Baylor, 39-31. But there were just not
enough offensive weapons.
We thought the ceiling for league wins was 11. But this team can finish with 12.
Monday 6:00 p.m. at Texas on ESPNU.
This post was edited on 2/28 9:51 PM by K Lonnquist
This post was edited on 2/28 9:53 PM by cookphotoworks
If the season ended Saturday, Baylor would have the third seed because it went 4-0 against West Virginia and Iowa State. The Bears have already earned a bye through the first round of the Big 12 postseason conference tournament. But it's right in front of them with winnable games Monday at Texas and FRIDAY (SENIOR NIGHT) against Texas Tech in the regular season finale at the Ferrell Center.
The Bears played another efficient game with only eight turnovers but 18 assists leading to 24 made field goals. That's 75 percent of the baskets with the benefit of helpers. What I liked is that the passing was so in sync that the Bears identified the shooter who was in rhythm. That didn't matter if it was Royce O'Neale or Taurean Prince. The Bears had four in double figures with Prince (20), O'Neale (18), Rico Gathers (17) and Al Freeman (10).
Lester Medford played a clunker of a game with no points, no assists and three turnovers. That's why you didn't see him for most of the second half. Those minutes went to Freeman. What an impressive line (10 points, 7 reb, 2 asst.). If he really was in the doghouse for the Texas Tech game, he has certainly played his way out of it. I could see Scott Drew using him more and more in late game situations.
I tweeted this but will add to this: Taurean Prince keeps getting to double figures (now a team-high 23 times, six 20+-point efforts) because he simply understands what he can do with his 6-7 frame. His vertical is such that when he drives, he can take off at the free throw line, stay in control and finger roll it to the goal. Then he can step out and hit a three. He's a tough matchup because you don't whether to guard him on the perimeter or watch him cutting to the basket.
As hot as the Bears were in the first half (64.5 percent), they were flat in the second half (33 percent). But if your team shoots 51 percent for the game, you're usually going to win. The Bears had nearly as many made free throws (15) as points off baskets (18). That definitely helped keep West Virginia at a distance.
A great crowd at the Ferrell Center at 9,385. It was the second-largest crowd of year behind the 9,680 against Texas on Jan. 31. One more time to see this team at home. Maybe one day Waco and the surrounding area will truly appreciate this program.
By the way, the streak is going to end this year. Baylor is in the tournament (do I hear a 3 seed?) and will make the tournament in consecutive seasons for the first time under Scott Drew. This team is usually playing and peaking at the right time - late February and March.
Another double double for Gathers. He now has 15 of those this year. But the highlight windmill dunk in the first half was pretty swag.
Give the Mountaineers credit as they hung in there. They actually outrebounded Baylor, 39-31. But there were just not
enough offensive weapons.
We thought the ceiling for league wins was 11. But this team can finish with 12.
Monday 6:00 p.m. at Texas on ESPNU.
This post was edited on 2/28 9:51 PM by K Lonnquist
This post was edited on 2/28 9:53 PM by cookphotoworks
