Baylor hoping for reinforcements to reach vs. UCF

Baylor coach Scott Drew is selecting to take the optimistic outlook together with his up-and-down crew forward of Saturday’s Massive 12 Convention dwelling recreation towards UCF in Waco, Texas.

The Bears (14-8, 6-5) have performed shorthanded over the past 10 video games, the period of time guard Langston Love has missed with an ankle damage. As well as, Duke switch Jeremy Roach simply returned from concussion protocol after lacking 4 video games, whereas VJ Edgecombe sat out Tuesday’s 73-59 loss at No. 13 Texas Tech with an ankle damage.

“On this league, it is exhausting if you’re taking part in six, seven guys,” Drew stated. “Hopefully, we get VJ and Langston again, and that can actually assist with issues. Us coaches, our performs actually work rather a lot higher when we have now extra gamers.

“I do not know if anybody’s gone by means of what we have gone by means of with the damage bug.”

Nonetheless, Baylor is in place to earn an NCAA Event berth with a powerful end. The Bears are led by ahead Norchad Omier (15.4 factors, 10.4 rebounds per recreation), who recorded his 79th profession double-double with 16 factors and 12 rebounds towards the Pink Raiders.

In the meantime, the Knights (13-9, 4-7) are coming off a 93-83 setback at dwelling Wednesday night time to Cincinnati that prolonged their shedding streak to 3 video games. They had been gashed inside, permitting a whopping 56 factors within the paint.

“We’ve got to get again to understanding what the priorities are defensively,” UCF coach Johnny Dawkins stated. “That is defending our paint and understanding that guys must be the place they’re alleged to be. We all know what our assignments are … that is consideration to element.”

The Knights have allowed 79.4 factors per recreation, almost 5 greater than some other Massive 12 crew, and have permitted league opponents to make 48.4 % of their subject objectives. That is additionally the worst mark within the Massive 12.

Keyshawn Corridor leads the assault with 18.3 factors per recreation whereas Darius Johnson chips in 15.0 per recreation.

Baylor earned a 77-69 win final season in Orlando within the groups’ first-ever assembly.

–Area Stage Media