Last year, Baylor’s coach Scott Drew saw impressive performances from Rob Wright III, his freshman point guard. But during a recent game in Waco, Drew witnessed an outstanding return from Wright, now playing for BYU. Wright scored 30 points, adding four rebounds and three assists. His efforts were key in BYU’s 99-94 victory over his former team.
Drew recognized Wright’s skills, saying, “There’s a reason we loved him last year.” But Wright wasn’t alone in his success. Freshman AJ Dybantsa shined as well, scoring 36 points on an efficient 14 of 20 shooting. He also contributed seven assists and five rebounds. Drew praised Dybantsa’s impressive stats, noting, “When he has seven assists and one turnover, it’s really tough.”
Despite struggling with three-point shooting, BYU excelled inside the paint, scoring 64 points close to the basket. Drew pointed out the challenge Baylor faced, saying, “Our goal of trying to make them shoot jump shots didn’t work very well.” Essentially, BYU’s offensive strategy overwhelmed Baylor’s defense.
Baylor managed to score 94 points and shot well overall, but they also had 13 turnovers, which allowed BYU to turn those into 24 crucial points. Drew highlighted the need to minimize mistakes, stating, “To lose 24 points on turnovers, you’re not going to beat a good team.”
With this loss, Baylor’s record dropped to 13-11, marking a tough season in the competitive Big 12. Drew acknowledged the strength of the conference this year, emphasizing that the Big 12 features many capable teams that could go far in the NCAA tournament. “There’s great basketball in the Big 12,” he said.
This season, the Big 12 is showing unique depth. According to recent data, seven teams in the Big 12 have been ranked in the top 25 at some point, showing the strength of the competition. Historically, the Big 12 has been known for intense matchups, and this year is no different, with no easy wins.
Fan reactions on social media have echoed Drew’s sentiments about the thrilling nature of the games this season. Many are expressing excitement for the potential of multiple Big 12 teams in the NCAA tournament, creating buzz around March Madness.
In a league where every game counts, teams are pushed to perform at their best. Drew believes this will prepare teams well for postseason action. “What happens is it tests your manhood,” he remarked, highlighting the rigorous challenges ahead.
For more on Baylor’s performance and updates on the Big 12, you can follow official reporting from ESPN.
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