Preview: Baylor

Vitals

Tip: 6:00 PM
Location: Stillwater, OK
TV: ESPN
Online Stream: here
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Online radio: here
Announcers: Bob Wischusen and Stephen Bardo
Line: Cowboys -7

Records

Cowboys – 15-5 (5-3)
Bears – 14-7 (5-3)

Best win

Cowboys – Kansas (KenPom: #8)
Bears – Oklahoma State (KenPom: #19)

Worst loss

Cowboys – Virginia Tech (KenPom: #153)
Bears – College of Charleston (KenPom: #135)

KenPom rank

Cowboys – #19
Bears – #28

Data nerds

[table id=90 /]

Adj. efficiency – Points per 100 possessions (adjusted for quality of opponent and site of game).
Adj. tempo – Possessions per game (adjusted for schedule and pace of other team).
Effective FG % – Takes into account extra value of 3s.

Three things to watch

1. Surging O – Last time OSU played played Baylor (16 days ago) it had an offense that barely cracked KenPom’s top 100 efficiency rankings. This week though, it has an offense that’s inside the top 50. Thank monster performances against Iowa State and Kansas, but hold off on thanking Ford — I need to see more.

2. Hungover at home – You know what says “we’re here, we might not win the Big 12 title but we’re definitely getting a bye in the Big 12 tournament”? A rout tonight. You know what says “I’m still not a good coach”? Baylor waltzing into GIA on a two-game slide and stealing a road game they shouldn’t steal. Big one tonight for the Pokes.

3. Slow big men – Isaiah Austin was exceptional last time out against OSU. Can Cobbins and Jurick slow him, Rico Gathers, and Cory Jefferson down? I have my doubts. I also have my doubts that OSU can win if they don’t.

Prediction

KyPort: Cowboys 77-68
KenPom: Cowboys 71-65