GAME NOTES: The 11th-ranked Baylor Bears continue an extended homestand to begin the 2010-11 season, when they welcome the Arizona State Sun Devils to Waco to take part in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series.
Scott Drew's Bears are off to a fast start, winning all five of their games thus far and all by double digits. The team is coming off its most lopsided victory, a 90-45 whipping of Prairie View A&M. Following this game, Baylor will take two weeks off before closing out its current homestand against Bethune-Cookman on December 15th.
Herb Sendek's Sun Devils have had their ups and downs in the early going, winning three of five games thus far. ASU opened the year with a 76-62 loss at New Mexico, but then rallied for three straight wins, including two in the Great Alaska Shootout. However, the team was unable to complete the three-day sweep in the event, falling to St. John's 67-58.
This is the sixth time that these two teams have met on the hardwood. Baylor holds a slim 3-2 series advantage thanks to a 64-61 decision last year.
The Sun Devils took advantage of a sluggish St. John's team in the first half and actually took a 10-point lead into halftime. However, the Red Storm came roaring back over the final 20 minutes of play to erase ASU's lead and take a nine-point decision in Anchorage. The loss spoiled a tremendous outing by guard Ty Abbott, who knocked down six three-pointers en route to a game-high 22 points. Trent Lockett added 10 points in support, but the bench managed just nine total points, a key to the loss. Scoring depth has definitely been a concern in the early stages of the season for Arizona State. The team is averaging a mediocre 64.2 ppg, with really only two reliable options. Lockett has been exceptional, shooting a scorching .655 from the floor and leading the team in both scoring (18.6 ppg) and rebounding (7.2 rpg). Abbott adds 11.8, but hopefully more games like the one against St. John's will help improve his field-goal accuracy (.405).
The Bears continue to evolve into one of the better teams in the country and this could finally be the season that Baylor puts it all together. The team is stocked with quality veterans to make a run at the Big 12 and perhaps much more. Baylor is getting it done at both ends of the floor, as evidenced by its +23.2 scoring margin and +11.8 rebounding edge. The Bears are averaging a solid 77.4 ppg, with most of the offensive funneling through All-American candidate LaceDarius Dunn. The 6-4 senior missed the first three games of the season, but has made up for lost time, shooting .577 from the floor, including .526 from behind the arc and putting up a robust 22.0 ppg thus far. Quincy Acy (16.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg) and Perry Jones III (13.0 ppg, 9.4 rpg) provide plenty of frontcourt balance. In demolishing Prairie View last time out, Dunn was 7- of-13 from the floor and finished with a game-high 20 points. Jones recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, While Acy and Nolan Dennis chipped in with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
The Sun Devils are at a distinct disadvantage in this one. The Bears were probably the better team prior to Dunn's return. With him, they certainly are.
GAME NOTES: The 11th-ranked Baylor Bears continue an extended homestand to begin the 2010-11 season, when they welcome the Arizona State Sun Devils to Waco to take part in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series.
FACTS & STATS: Site: Ferrell Center (10,284) -- Waco, Texas. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Arizona St. 1-0, Baylor 5-0. Away Record: Arizona St. 0-1, Baylor 0-0. Neutral Record: Arizona St. 2-1, Baylor 0-0. Conference Record: Arizona St. 0-0, Baylor 0-0. Series Record: Baylor leads, 3-2.
Baylor 81, Arizona State 62