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Texas Tech basketball: 3 Things to know about Baylor

By Matthew Conner

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 23: The Baylor Bears mascot Bruiser performs prior to their game against the Xavier Musketeers during the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball South Regional Semifinal game at the Georgia Dome on March 23, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 23: The Baylor Bears mascot Bruiser performs prior to their game against the Xavier Musketeers during the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball South Regional Semifinal game at the Georgia Dome on March 23, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

They are without their best player, Tristan Clark

The recurring theme in the Big 12 this year is the rash of injuries that have hit hover half of the teams in the league.  That is certainly the case for Baylor who lost 6-foot-9 sophomore forward Tristan Clark for the season last week to a knee injury.

The San Antonio native was a force this year ranking second the on the team in points (14.6) and first in rebounds (6.3) while leading the nation in field goal percentage at 73.7% at the time of his injury.  This year, he had already put up 11 double-digit games including a season-high 27 against a very good Ole Miss team and 24 against Stephen F. Austin.

But Baylor has already proven capable of beating Texas Tech without Clark being a factor.  In last year’s 3-point win over the Red Raiders in Waco, he played only 14 minutes and scored just one point.

Still, this is a tremendous advantage for Texas Tech.  And it continues Tech’s fortune in being healthier than its opponents.

West Virginia was without their star forward Sag Kontae when Tech beat the Mountaineers in Morgantown.  Likewise, Kansas State was without Dean Wade, the preseason Big 12 player of the year, when the two teams met on January 5th.

Texas forward Jericho Sims played only two minutes against the Red Raiders in Austin and accumulated no stats.  And Wednesday, Iowa State forward Cam Lard did not play in the Cyclones’ win in Lubbock.

Clark was a huge cog in the zone defense and Tech must be able to exploit his absence.  He was emerging as a star for the Bears and his absence gives Tech an advantage in terms of available talent.

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