Texas Tech basketball: Scouting the No. 4 Baylor Bears

Baylor has abandoned the zone defense it’s become known for

For the vast majority of his time in Waco, Drew has deployed a 1-1-3 zone defense that has given teams fits because it was as unusual as any scheme in the league.  But this year, the Bears are playing almost nothing but man-to-man defense.

Why this change in strategy?  The answer likely comes in the middle of the floor where the Bears lack the type of rim-protecting big man that they’ve typically featured.

There are only two players on this year’s BU roster at 6-foot-10 or taller and neither is really a factor.  Junior Tristan Clark was an early contender for conference player of the year last season until he went down with a torn knee ligament.  Though he’s back this season, he’s just been a shell of his former self thus far playing only 17.5 minutes and averaging 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds.

One has to think that if Clark were 100%, Baylor would be more equipped to play Drew’s zone defense because he could anchor the team in the middle.  He was averaging 2.4 blocks per game when he went down 14 games into last season.

The only other big man on the Baylor bench is 6-foot-10 sophomore Flo Thamba, who averages just 11 minutes per game.  Thus, Drew has a team that resembles Tech in that it is a guard and wing-heavy roster.

But it appears that the man-to-man scheme suits Drew’s team well.  After all, the Bears lead the Big 12 in scoring defense.

On one hand, Tech might benefit from not having to face the 1-1-3 zone tonight given that this year’s Red Raiders aren’t a great outside shooting team.  But on the other hand, Tech won’t have a versatility advantage in that when Beard goes small-ball with five guards or wings on the floor, Baylor will be able to match up.

Thus, tonight’s game will feature two of the most rugged man-to-man defenses in the nation.  Just another day in the life of the Big 12.