A look at Baylor

[8timechamps]

The second real test (the first being Texas) for the Sooners comes Saturday against #23 ranked Baylor.

I’ve had the opportunity to see Baylor play several times this year, and they are an entertaining bunch. They have several dynamic players, but the two that come to the front are senior guard Curtis Jerrells and sophomore guard LaceDarius Dunn. Dunn has already attempted 141 threes, making 61 for a 43% mark. He is one of the most prolific three point shooters in the land. Jerrells, while not the same threat from three, is a potent guard and leads the team in points.

Unlike Nebraska, Baylor does have an inside game and the Sooners will see 7 footer Josh Loomers in the paint. Blake will need to be on to be productive, and if ever there was a time for Croker, AJ and Willie to step up, it’ll be Saturday against Baylor.

As good as Baylor has been this season, they’ve also had moments of absolute letdown (see OSU game and blowing a 9 point lead against South Carolina). Baylor has struggled at times on defense and it usually comes as a result of Loomers being in foul trouble.

If the Bears can keep Loomers on the floor and they get good play from the guards, it could be a big win for them. On the other hand, if Blake can establish himself early, and we can get good play from our guards, the Sooners should be able to control the game.

Given that we probably got a wake-up call from the Nebraska game, and that it’ll be at home, I like the Sooners in this one. At the end of the day, the Sooners will be too much for the Bears to handle.

Prediction
Oklahoma 88
Baylor 80

[E-Town]

We Will Win With Willie Warren Wowing Whoever Watches!

[King Crimson]

Lomars and Diene are foul trouble specialists. i don't trust any of the SWC gyms, but if either of these guys have less than 3 fouls at halftime...hey.

i like Jerrells. he's a very good college player. we did a nice job on Dunn in both games last year.

[IronHorseSooner]

This is the second in a series of games with guard-dominated teams (Neebish, Baylor, and the Men from Halloweentown). Blake had really good games against BU last year, and if I remember correctly, helped get Diene in foul trouble. I don't think the team is overlooking BU like they did Nebbish. Now, who would've ever thought that the phase "Baylor is a big game" would ever be uttered outside women's basketball and baseball?

[8timechamps]

who would've ever thought that the phase "Baylor is a big game" would ever be uttered outside women's basketball and baseball?

No kidding.

This ain't your grandpa's bears.

[eastdallasloco]

You won't see much of diene and lomers. Diene hasn't seen the floor since the aggy game and lomers has only played a few mins since the aggys. I would rully like to see a game like last years in norman except this time have it fall to the bears.

I hope soonerfans will be saying "these aint yer grandpas bears" about our football team in the next couple of years but for now I'll enjoy the recent hoop success.

[Baylor Bears]

Wanted to throw in my 2 cents from a Baylor perspective. First off, waaay off on the Lomers point. He and Diene get about 5 minutes a game combined now and both are more liability than asset. I don't imagine we will use them much as Griffin will run circles around them and posterize them all night. If we have to go to a hack-a-griffin gameplan, then they may get some minutes to use up fouls.

Our post position is now anchored by a talented freshman named Quincy Acy. He was finally named the starter for the last two games and has averaged a double double. He is the one BU has to worry about getting in foul trouble. That said, Griffin will still have a field day. Our defensive rebounding percentage has been awful and we have trouble against anyone with a post game.

We have 4 great guards, but heavily rely on 3 pointers and hot streaks. Should be a good game if we are not cold shooting. Griffin will probably go 25 and 15.

[DalBear]

More Kevin Rogers and Quincy Acy, less Lomers and Diene. The latter two have regressed this year. This might be a game that Lomers and Diene see some extended PT against a strong OU frontcourt, or if Rogers/Acy get into foul trouble. This will likely be Acy's third start and his first two were basically double-doubles.

[baylrballa]

I would be overjoyed if Griffin *only* gets 25 and 15.

I do expect to see lomers more than recent games because he can put a body on the OU posts, if nothing else. Not to the level the OP suggests though. Quincy was able to play so much the last two games because poke and powercat have even less of a post game than Baylor.

I expect to see a similar scheme as NU. We'll try to sag back, drop behind screens, and dare the OU guards to make threes.

[soonerfan28]

Any chance they will actually move this game to a channel that more people can watch?

[NormanPride]

Nice to see some opposing fans around here! Here's to a good, clean Sooner victory.

[DalBear]

Any chance they will actually move this game to a channel that more people can watch?

I hear you, but at least it's a national telecast on ESPNU versus a regional one if it were on the Big 12 Network.

[Baylor Bears]

Nice to see some opposing fans around here! Here's to a good, clean Sooner victory.

Discussion around here seems rather sparse...this isn't the 'primary' Sooner message board is it?

[Cappy]

I hear you, but at least it's a national telecast on ESPNU versus a regional one if it were on the Big 12 Network.

I don't care what channel it is on, just don't do that mother @%$!in' sonofa$@#$& @%$## blasted $%#$% campus connection thing again.

[IronHorseSooner]

I don't care what channel it is on, just don't do that mother @%$!in' sonofa$@#$& @%$## blasted $%#$% campus connection thing again.

No bleepin' kidding! That Nebbish game was rough to watch, as all of the Campus Connection games are, it's just not OU's students that are rough around the edges. But, hey, at least it gives the kids experience...I didn't realize that Diene wasn't playing that much, but he and Lomers might more if Drew goes to the "Hack a Blake" plan. What scares me about this game, to some extent, is BU getting hot behind the arc with the foursome of Dunn, Jarrells, Carter, and Dugat. Coach Capel needs to employ the second half defense used against Nebbish, and scrap the one used in the first half. I think he used a 1-3-1, which is a an unusual trapping zone that works if you have wingspan on the first two layers (which we do with AJ, Crock, WW and Taylor), and an enforcer underneath (someone who needs no introduction). This D puts immense pressure on the PG, makes it hard to drive, and blocks passing lanes. This D has worked well all year. Maybe, this becomes OU's signature D, much like 'Cuse's 2-3 zone, Coach Iba's Man-to-Man, and Temple's Match-Up Zone.

[soonerfan28]

So do we have a spot online to watch it?

[Sooner95]

I've been looking around, since i do not get ESPNU and have not found it..

[soonerfan28]

I just upgraded my Dish and now have ESPNU

[Sooner95]

Good move, enjoy the game...

[soonerfan28]

My wife wasn't to thrilled but they've been charging me for an extra box for 2 1/2 years and I just found out. No credit for that though.