Baylor Bears vs. Norfolk State Preview: 3 Keys to Improving to 2-0
Baylor men’s basketball head coach Scott Drew and the Bears return to the hardwood on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. Central Time on ESPN-Plus to host the Norfolk State Spartans in the team’s second matchup of the season.
The Bears are ranked No. 5 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 polls and began the 2022-23 campaign with a blowout win over Mississippi Valley State.
The Spartans, meanwhile, began their season with back-to-back wins over Virginia University of Lynchburg and Cairn.
Baylor (1-0) is currently a 24.5-point favorite over Norfolk State (2-0), as coach Drew and the Bears should easily cruise to a victory in the comfy confines of the Ferrell Center
With that in mind, let’s look at a few keys to Baylor improving to 2-0 on this young season.
Ball-sharing offense leads to point production.
Sure, that’s a given -- but coach Drew and the Bears know how to run an offense like a well-oiled machine, especially against teams such as Mississippi Valley State and Norfolk State.
Yes, these are pre-conference games that will help the team get in rhythm before the real tests of the season begin, but no team should be overlooked – even the early ones that should be easy wins.
If Adam Flagler (21 points, eight assists) and company can play as well as they did in the season-opener, where they put up an eye-popping 117 points (along with 27 assists), Baylor should cruise to a victory.
Solid defense and the Bears winning the turnover battle will lead to a victory.
Baylor’s defense played superbly in the opening game of the season, holding Mississippi Valley State to just 21 points in the first half and 53 points overall.
The Bears also won the turnover battle in that game (25-9) and came away with 12 steals.
Baylor also had seven blocks in the game, compared to just one for Mississippi Valley State.
Consistent free-throw shooting and winning the battle of the boards is pivotal to having a successful season.
Not just in games one and two of the year, but all season long.
In the team’s victory over Mississippi Valley State, Baylor shot 29-of-43 from the free throw line (67.4 percent) while pulling down 53 total rebounds (22 offensive).
If the Bears can put up similar numbers in their matchup with the Spartans, look for Baylor to garner another big win on Friday night at the Ferrell Center.
Want the latest in breaking and insider news for the Baylor Bears? Click Here
Follow Inside the Bears on Twitter and Facebook
Make sure to subscribe to our daily podcast @LockedOnBaylor today! Click here To Listen.
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