Baylor Bears vs. Gonzaga Preview: 3 Keys to Bouncing Back with a Win
The No. 6 Baylor Bears (5-2) return to the hardwood to face No. 14 Gonzaga (5-2) on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. Central Time in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Friday night’s battle between the Bears and Bulldogs will be televised on Peacock.
Gonzaga is currently a 2.5-point favorite over Baylor.
Here are a few ways the Bears can knock off the Bulldogs and walk away with a win over Gonzaga.
Be prepared.
It definitely seems the Bears weren’t prepared in their last matchup against unranked Marquette.
Regardless, coach Scott Drew and this young Baylor team must be prepared when facing ranked Gonzaga.
And there’s no reason they shouldn’t be.
Coach Drew’s face said it all on the sideline in the team’s latest loss in Milwaukee.
I’ve seen that look before, and I’m sure the players on the team have too.
That next practice was likely pretty intense, to say the least.
They’ll be prepared; and they 100 percent better be when facing this talented Gonzaga basketball team.
Defense, defense, defense.
Look, the Bears defense is what helped define them during their title run.
It helped define them last season as well.
And through most of 2022, it has as well.
But the team’s last matchup, against Marquette, just didn’t cut it.
They can, will, and must play better defensively if this young team expects to garner a win over Gonzaga.
Back to the basics.
There’s no doubt in my mind that coach Drew and his staff are preaching the basic fundamentals of basketball to these guys.
Crash the boards.
Hustle on both ends of the court.
Box out.
Hit your free throws.
It’s back to the basics against Gonzaga too, as the Bears need to do all the little things right in order to get a big win on the road.
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Denton Ramsey has been a journalist for over 20 years with a decade of experience as a sports writer and editor for a plethora of newspapers throughout Texas and Alabama. Growing up in Houston and attending Baylor University, Ramsey is a die-hard sports fan with a true passion for writing. He may be reached via email at denton.itb@gmail.com