Baylor is ranked No. 8 in the AP preseason poll — which is eight spots higher than Arkansas — for a variety of reasons, but none more so than VJ Edgecombe, a sensational freshman guard. In every mock draft my computer went to, it predicted this would be the No. 4 pick in the next NBA draft.
Edgecombe played like it was his first college game earlier this week, as did most of his older teammates, as Baylor was routed at No. 6 Gonzaga, 101-63, on Monday. Lest you think it was just a second half carnage, the halftime score was 49-30.
Bears coach Scott Drew, like Arkansas Hall of Fame coach John Calipari, is not used to such a defeat. Expect closer action when Baylor and the Razorbacks face off tonight at 6:30 PM at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, home of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.
Calipari knows what Drew went through at Gonzaga, and it seemed like a bad memory from two years ago when his No. 4 Kentucky team traveled to Spokane, Washington. The No. 2 Bulldogs romped to a 16-point halftime lead and cruised to victory by the same margin.
“We were way behind at the half,” Calipari recalled. “We came back and made a game of it, but they just threw us in the dust.” So he knows how the Bears feel and how they are determined to do their best against Arkansas.
Arkansas Razorbacks coach John Calipari gestures to his players during Wednesday’s game against the Lipscomb Bisons at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 76-60 in the season opener. The Hogs play No. 8 Baylor in Dallas tonight. / Nelson Chenault-Imagn images
“So you understand what we’re up against,” Calipari said after his Hogs topped Lipscomb 76-60 on Wednesday night. “(Baylor) is going to have a week of practice where they’re doing loose ball drills, doing offensive drills. Man, it’s going to be a rough house of competitive teams going after each other (tonight in Dallas).”
After beating No. 1 Kansas 85-69 and losing in a pair of exhibition games to unheralded TCU 66-65, Calipari’s numbers are good for his team.
‘We need that now. Let’s keep learning. Kansas, TCU, now this,” he said. The Hogs’ talented young squad must find consistency, especially when different teams are faced with new tactics.
Calipari said Wednesday that he had not watched the Baylor-Gonzaga game because it started so late on TV, but that he would find out what (Gonzaga coach) Mark Few did. I think he probably just ran (Baylor) to death. I have some easy baskets.”
Baylor Bears guard Robert Wright III (1) shoots in the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Spokane Arena on Monday. Wright had 12 points and six assists in 30 minutes against No. 6 Gonzaga. / James Snook-Imagn images
As for the Bears, the Hogs’ coach says, “They’re probably in the same boat as us. We’re trying to figure out how do we do this together? How do you really play for your teammate? How do you really play for your teammate ?” make the game easy for each other?”
Both teams will find out a little more about themselves tonight. But only one will go home as the winner.
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