Baylor Bears vs Abilene Christian Wildcats Picks and Predictions December 9th 2024

No. 15 Baylor Might Not Be Full Strength Against Abilene Christian

The Baylor Bears, ranked No. 15 in the nation, will look to bounce back from a tough road loss as they host Abilene Christian on Monday night in Waco, Texas. However, injuries to key players could impact Baylor’s ability to execute at its full potential.

Injury Concerns for Baylor

Baylor coach Scott Drew voiced frustration over his team’s lack of time to gel due to injuries, a challenge that was evident in their narrow 76-72 loss to No. 25 UConn on Wednesday.

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Star freshman VJ Edgecombe missed the UConn game with a hamstring injury and remains day-to-day. To compound matters, Jeremy Roach, a Duke transfer, entered concussion protocol after leaving Wednesday’s game early in the second half. The availability of both players for Monday’s matchup remains uncertain.

“You can’t expect execution and to be at your best if you can’t practice together,” Drew lamented. “It frustrates the heck out of me as a coach because I think we could be really good.”

Baylor’s Depth

Despite the injuries, Baylor boasts a deep roster. Freshman guard Robert Wright III stepped up in the loss to UConn, scoring a team-high 22 points. Meanwhile, Norchad Omier, a transfer from Miami, has been a reliable force, averaging a double-double with 15.6 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Baylor is averaging 83.4 points per game while holding opponents to 73.4. The Bears will look to leverage their offensive firepower to secure a bounce-back win.

Abilene Christian’s Challenge

For Abilene Christian, this game represents an opportunity to measure itself against one of the top teams in the country. The Wildcats (6-3) are riding a two-game winning streak with victories on the road against Omaha and New Mexico State.

In their 86-78 win over New Mexico State last Wednesday, Hunter Jack Madden led the way with 24 points, while Quion Williams contributed 20 points and eight rebounds. Williams is ACU’s leader in rebounds (5.3) and assists (3.1) per game, while Leonardo Bettiol paces the team in scoring at 15.0 points per game.

ACU head coach Brette Tanner emphasized the value of playing challenging nonconference schedules to prepare his team for the rigors of the season.

“Playing real people is how you get better,” Tanner said. “It’s a process. That process doesn’t start until you start playing tough competition.”

Key Matchup

Baylor’s defensive effort, particularly in containing Bettiol and Williams, will be critical. On the other side, Abilene Christian will need to disrupt Baylor’s offensive rhythm and take advantage of any vulnerabilities due to injuries.

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Historical Context

This game marks the programs’ first official meeting. The only previous contest between the two was an exhibition in October 2012, which Baylor won 103-75.

Outlook

Baylor enters as the heavy favorite, but the injuries to Edgecombe and Roach add an element of unpredictability. For Abilene Christian, it’s a chance to test its mettle against elite competition and potentially pull off a significant upset.

Both teams will aim to showcase their strengths in what could be a defining moment in their respective seasons.