Baylor coach Scott Drew chooses to take the optimistic view with his up-and-down team ahead of Saturday’s BIG 12 conference home game against UCF in Waco, Texas.
Bears (14-8, 6-5) has played brief in the last ten games, the amount of timekeeping that Langston Love has missed with an ankle damage. In addition, Duke Transfer Jeremy Roach returned just from the concussion protocol after missing four matches, while VJ Edgecombe set out Tuesday’s 73-59 loss on No. 13 Texas Tech with an ankle damage.
“In this league it is difficult when you play sex, seven guys,” Drew said. “Hopefully we get VJ and Langston back, and it will really help with things. American coaches, our games really work much better when we have more players.
“I don’t know if anyone has gone through what we have gone through the injury.”
Baylor is still able to earn a NCAA tournament with a strong finish. The bears are led by forward Norchad Omier (15.4 points, 10.4 returns per match), which recorded their 79th career double double with 16 points and 12 returns against Red Raiders.
At the same time, the knights (13-9, 4-7) will come from a setback of 93-83 at home on Wednesday evening to Cincinnati who expanded their losing line to three matches. They were discarded inside, which enabled 56 points in color.
“We have to come back to understand what the priorities are defensive,” said UCF coach Johnny Dawkins. “It protects our color and understanding that guys must be where they should be. We know what our assignments are … It’s attention to detail.”
The knights have allowed 79.4 points per match, almost five more than any other BIG 12 team, and have allowed league opponents to make 48.4 percent of their field goals. It is also the worst brand in BIG 12.
Keyshawn Hall leads the attack with 18.3 points per match while Darius Johnson Chips in 15.0 per match.
Baylor got a victory 77-69 last season in Orlando in the team’s first meeting ever.
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