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Texas Tech basketball: Scouting the No. 4 Baylor Bears

By Matthew Conner

LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 20: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears coaches from the bench during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on January 20, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 20: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears coaches from the bench during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on January 20, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Jaden McDaniels #4 of the Washington Huskies rebounds against Tristan Clark #25 of the Baylor Bears  (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
Jaden McDaniels #4 of the Washington Huskies rebounds against Tristan Clark #25 of the Baylor Bears  (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Baylor leads the Big 12 in blocks

After just telling you that Baylor doesn’t have the typical rim-protecting big man in the middle of their defense, it seems odd to point out that the Bears lead the Big 12 in blocks at 5.2 per game.  But both are valid points to consider.

The difference in this year’s team is that there isn’t a lanky, long-armed shot blocker like former Bears Jo Acuil (a 7-footer) patrolling the middle of the court.  Instead, this is a swarming and active defense that is more reminiscent of the Red Raider D as many of the Bear blocks come off the help-side.

Leading the block party in Waco is forward Freddie Gillespie, a 6-foot-9 senior.  In addition to scoring 8.7 points and grabbing 9.4 rebounds per game (second-most in the Big 12), he’s third in the conference in blocks with 2.3 per game.

Gillespie is an interesting player because he wasn’t part of Baylor’s regular rotation until Clark went down in the middle of last year.  Since then, he’s started 21 of 24 games and has become one of Baylor’s principal contributors as he’s registered five double-doubles on the year thus far.

So though the Bears will not be sitting back in their normal zone, they will still be protecting the rim.  This is where T.J. Holyfield will be key for the Red Raiders because he can draw Gillespie away from the rim if he makes a few shots from outside the way he did Saturday against Oklahoma State.  Keep an eye on the Gillespie vs. Holyfield matchup tonight.

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