Coach Scott Drew will bring his Baylor Bears 15-8 (7-5) to the Fertitta Center for ESPN’s BIG Monday. This is a massive game for both programs. The Coogs need a clean home win after several bumpy rides in the past three games. The Bears are desperate for a huge win to keep them in the hunt for a top-four seed in the Big 12 Tournament (and the two byes that come with it).

Baylor has a very talented team. I have been screaming since the summer that I did not think they were quite deep enough this season. Their depth took a hit on Saturday vs. UCF when they lost their high-motored big man Josh Ojianwuna for the season with a left knee injury.

The Bears still have a ton of talent, including the deadly freshmen duo of the super-athletic VJ Edgecombe and dynamic point guard Rob Wright III. They are both electric and will hopefully each be “one-and-done.” The Bears’ key returners are Jayden Nunn and the often-injured but always-dangerous Langston Love.

Those four are joined by transfers Norchad Omier (Miami) and Jeremy Roach (Duke) – guys UH has seen in the last two Sweet 16s. Omier will be my “Head of the Snake” for this one, as he is a walking double-double machine. The Cougar big men must be physical with him in the paint. Omier was a problem for the 2022-2023 Coogs in the Sweet 16 in Kansas City when he had 12 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists in the Miami victory. J’Wan was a key player on that team, and will look to slow him down Monday night.

It will be intriguing to see how well Emanuel Sharp and LJ Cryer can play after dealing with recent injuries. Emanuel has an ongoing foot injury, and on Saturday in Boulder, LJ jammed the already injured pinky knuckle shooting hand. Both are huge pieces to the Coogs puzzle and will need stellar games on Monday night.

This game is one of the huge benefits of moving to the Big 12: a stand-alone Big Monday game on ESPN.

Baylor National Rankings

(Could change after this is released)

• Net – #26; Houston Ranked #3
• Kenpom – #26; Houston Ranked #3
• AP Poll – # Others receiving votes; Houston Ranked #5
• Coaches Poll – # Others receiving votes; Houston Ranked #5

Baylor Offensive Rankings (Top 50 in Nation)

#32 – Rebounds (Offensive) Per Game: 13.26

#38 – Scoring Margin: +10

Bears Defensive Rankings (Top 50 in Nation)

None…

Baylor Offense Notes

• The Bears like to push the ball in offensive transition. They can do so when Omier rebounds because he is known to take a few power dribbles after rebounding and push the ball ahead to a guard on the move. Most bigs UH has played against must wait for a point guard to get the ball up the court. But not Omier.
• Baylor uses a lot of screens off the ball to create pass and dribble-drive opportunities to kick out to open shooters in the corners.
• They have good inbounds plays. I would continue to guard the inbound passer with Jojo. But I have him shade them to throw the ball to the corner for a MONSTER trap or to the top of the key. I would not allow them to get any passes into someone cutting to the rim.

Bears Defense Notes

• The Bears prefer running a zone defense. The most common is their 1-3-1 zone defense, but they will sometimes run a 1-2-2 or a matchup zone defense. They like to disguise it as a M2M defense but don’t follow offensive players across the court.
• Baylor’s transition defense is sometimes lacking. I would love to see the Coogs hit their lanes and look to get some easy/early looks in the shot clock.
• Here and there, they will play a full-court, M2M defense. Roach will look to put HIGH pressure on Milos to try to make someone else bring the ball up the court. Occasionally, they will try a run-and-jump to trap the Coogs at the half-court line and use it as a third defender.

Baylor Personnel Report

*#15 – Norchad Omier – 6’7″ – 5th SR – Forward – (Arkansas State/ Miami) – 16ppg, 11rpg, 2apg, 1bpg, 1spg.

• Undersized but a double-double machine post player;
• Super physical and can shoot over either shoulder;
• Can finish with either hand in the paint;
• Can catch in the mid-range and drive to the basket;
• Capable three-point shooter if unguarded; 15/52 (29%);
• Very similar size and playing style to J’Wan Roberts;
• Nationally Ranked Top 50: #6 – Offensive Rebounds Per Game: 3.91. #9 – Double/Doubles: 12. #16 – Rebounds: 241. #23 – Defensive Rebounds Per Game: 6.57.

*#7 – VJ Edgecombe – 6’5″ – FR – Guard – 15ppg, 5rpg, 3apg, 2spg.

• Super athletic phenomenal freshman; Three-level scorer;
• Likely NBA lottery pick in the 2025 draft;
• EXPLOSIVE when getting downhill to the basket;
• Best when catching on the move and pulling up mid-range/in the lane;
• Good three-point shooter – 37/96 (39%);
• Great at jumping the passing lane for a steal and highlight dunk;
• Nationally Ranked Top 50: #21 – Steals Per Game: 2.24. #40 – Steals: 47

*#1 – Robert Wright III – 6’1″ – FR – Guard – 13ppg, 5apg, 2rpg, 1spg.

• Ultra-talented freshman point guard;
• Has been getting comparisons to a young Chris Paul. Crazy good passer;
• Good at finishing at the rim at 6’1″. So freaking crafty in the paint;
• Solid three-point shooter; 22/62 (36%).

*#3 – Jeremy Roach – 6’2″ – 5th SR – Guard – (Duke) – 12ppg, 3apg, 2rpg.

• Solid guard;
• Good in transition offense;
• Best when getting to the paint to score or kick out to a shooter;
• Solid three-point shooter; 28/80 (35%).

#2 – Jayden Nunn – 6’4″ – SR – Guard – (VCU) – 10ppg, 3rpg.

• Really good guard off the bench; Probably starts due to the Ojianwuna injury;
• His three-point shot is much improved this year – 49/117 (42%);
• Really good at attacking the basket;

#13 – Langston Love – 6’5″ – RS JR – Guard – 8ppg, 3rpg.

• Sharp-shooter off the bench;
• Has been hurt for years but came back Saturday against UCF;
• Excellent three-point shooter (but his % hasn’t reflected it yet this season) – 11/37 (30%);
• Much improved at driving to the basket;

#32 – Jalen Celestine – 6’7″ – GR – Guard – (California) – 8ppg, 3rpg.

• LEFTY;
• Getting better with more time on the court;
• Not bad at getting to the rim to finish with his left hand;
• Good three-point shooter; 38/98 (39%).

#5 – Jason Asemota – 6’8″ – FR – Forward – 2ppg, 2rpg.

• Talented freshman forward;
• He did not play in the games I watched;
• Not a great shooter yet – 32% from the floor and 24% from 3pt;
• Saturday night, Coach Drew mentioned that Jason would get extended minutes with the Ojianwuna injury.

#17 – Josh Ojianwuna – 6’10” – JR- Forward – 7ppg, 6rpg.

• Officially out for the season; Suffered a serious knee injury vs UCF on Saturday;
• High energy post player;
• Great post defender/rebounder/shot blocker.

Keys to Victory

1. Keep Omier off the glass. He’s a monster. It doesn’t matter who he’s playing against…he usually gets a double-double. I’d bet the Coogs have been challenged to prevent that from happening.
2. Identify who is hot for them quickly. The Coogs have struggled a bit lately identifying who is hot for the other team quickly enough, and it has hurt them in spurts. Baylor has a ton of talent that can heat up quickly. It will be crucial to get the ball out of their hands.
3. Transition offense/defense. Both will be important for Houston. I’d love to see Milos push the ball ahead and try to create some easy offense. Baylor will be looking to do the same so they don’t have to deal with Houston’s tough half-court defense.
4. Patient against their zone. When playing a team that zones, they beg you to take a quick side-to-side passed shot. Houston is at their best when the ball touches the paint. Like WAY BETTER. They have to figure out how to get it in that area, then look to score inside or kick out for an inside/out three.
5. Toughest team wins. Nothing more needs to be said here. BIG Monday. In-state rival. Two great coaches. Tons of talent. Who wants it more? Gotta be the Coogs!