3. #11 Jalen Bridges, 6’9″, 225 lbs., Sr., Fairmont, West Virginia, West Virginia Transfer
11.6 pts, 5.4 rebs, 45.8 FG%, 41.8 3-PT FG%, 83.3 FT%, 31.3 mpg
January 13th vs. Cincinnati: 4 pts, 8 rebs, 1-6 FG (0-5 3-PT FG), 2 ast.-1 TO, blk, stl, 34 mins
Bridges has started 117 games in the Big 12, with 52 coming at West Virginia and 65 at Baylor. This is an experienced player for the Bears, going all the way back to leading his high school team to four straight state championships and winning two of them. His scoring average rose nearly two points per game in Big 12 play.
4. #13 Langston Love, 6’5″, 210 lbs., R-So., Universal City, Texas
11 pts/gm., 2.9 rebs, 46.5 FG%, 48% 3-PT FG, 78.3 FT%, 24.8 mpg
January 13th vs. Cincinnati: 14 pts, 2 rebs, 4-10 FG (3-6 3-PT FG), 3-4 FT, 4 TO, blk, 30 mins
Love’s performance against Cincinnati came off the bench. He’s Baylor’s best weapon off the bench with seven straight double-digit pint games at one point in Big 12 play. If Baylor goes deep into their bench, keep your eye on Love in this game.
5. #21 Yves Missi, 7’0″, C, 235 lbs., Fr., Yaounde, Cameroon, Prolific Prep
10.9 pts, 5.6 rebs, 62.4 FG%, 60.8 FT%, 46 blk, 23 mpg
January 13th vs. Cincinnati: 4 pts, 2 rebs, 2-4 FG, 0-2 FT, 13 mins
Missi is an efficient big man for Baylor in nine of his last 13 games. He also has 46 blocked shots this season and has yet to foul out of any game this season. Do not overlook Missi.
6. #2 Jayden Nunn, 6’4″, 190 lbs., Jr., Flint, Michigan, VCU Transfer
10.8 pts, 2.4 rebs, 47.1 FG%, 45% 3-PT FG, 70.6 FT%, 37 stl, 28.4 mpg
January 13th vs. Cincinnati: 4 pts, reb., 2-4 FG (0-1 3-PT), 15 mins
Nunn is the sixth of Baylor’s double-digit scorers with seven double-digit performances in his last 11 games.
Previous Matchup vs. Baylor on January 13th (Baylor wins 62-59): This was another heartbreaking loss in Big 12 play for the Bearcats, in part because they were in the game the whole night and could have, maybe should have, won. Cincinnati led by seven at one point early in the second half, but Baylor responded with a 13-0 run over more than six minutes to take a lead they would not relinquish. Cincinnati, though, had five possessions in the last 1:45 of the game and didn’t score on any of them. It was another close loss against a really good team, a loss where Dan Skillings scored 24 points and hit all four of the Bearcats missed three-point shots. But worth noting: Aziz Bandaogo didn’t play that night. Jamille Reynolds had seven points and six rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench that night. If Cincinnati can shoot well throughout the game and rebound- the rebound battle finished even at 32 in the regular-season meeting- they can win this game.
Keys to the Game
1. Keep doing what’s gotten you here: Rebounding and good shot selection are what has gotten Cincinnati to this position in the Big 12 Tournament. Against their toughest test so far in the Tournament, continuing to excel in those areas will be paramount to win a third game in three days.
2. Play 40 Minutes: Both teams are going to have their runs, especially Baylor. The Bears lead the Big 12 in field goal percentage at 48.9 and three-point field goal percentage at 39.8. It’s important for the Bearcats to know Baylor is going to go on runs in this game and to just weather the storm when they do and respond with runs of their own.
3. Stay out of foul trouble: The Bearcats will need to keep their best players on the floor for as long as possible tonight. Aziz Bandaogo, Dan Skillings Jr., Simas Lukosius. The best way to do that is stay out of foul trouble. Not fouling three-point shooters will also help.
