A top 10 battle in Waco, TX on Saturday at 3:30 as Xavier travels to Baylor. Both teams are undefeated (assuming Baylor beats Sam Houston tonight), and have played very well to date. Baylor will play, almost exclusively, a zone, which will be interesting. Also, Baylor is HUGE, while Xavier's strength lies on the perimeter -- so that will be an interesting match-up. Baylor's best win to date was their impressive come from WAY behind win over UL.

 

I think Baylor wins by 5-8...what say you guys? Should be an AWESOME game to watch...glad @TheDeuce will be alongside to enjoy it.

Gates will be the key for X. Not sure he's got his legs under him yet though.

 

I think Xavier has the better talent, so I say they find a way to win it 72-67.

I think Baylors length will be a little too much for X. I think Baylor wins by 5-6, but if X finds their stroke from 3 early then I wouldn't be shocked at all to see them pull it out.

Baylor 75-72.

X needs to be hitting from the outside. I think they will. X 69-63

Xavier 69-67

Baylor by 5.

If game is at Cintas, Xavier wins.

 

Because the game is at Baylor, I think they'll have the slight edge.

How is XU healthwise?

Just don't know how Xavier handles Motley.

Xavier allows teams to get 22% of their misses back, Baylor gets 34% of their misses back, I think the team that wins the rebounding battle wins the game. If Xavier can limit Baylor to one-shot per possession, they have a great chance.

 

People talking about Xavier needing to make 3's are asking a lot, Xavier only shoots 32% from deep, and Baylor and their length only allow their opponents to shoot 27%, so expecting a three-point barrage from the Musketeers is probably fool-hearted.

 

Baylor plays about the slowest tempo in the country, will be interesting to see if Xavier and their play on the wings can speed them up. Only one team has scored over 63 points on Baylor, Xavier averages 79, so if the game can get into the 70's, Xavier has a good shot. Likewise, if the game has 70+ possessions. Xavier has a good shot.

 

I expect Coach Drew to really try and take the air out of the ball and grind out a physical, half-court win. If the Bears have a bevy of live-ball turnovers they will be in big trouble.

Baylor guard Al Freeman on their game last night with Sam Houston State:

 

“We knew this could be a trap game for us and we gave our best effort and came out with the win,” said Baylor guard Al Freeman. “You can’t come out and say we’re going to cruise through this game before Saturday."

Weekend Preview: Kentucky-UCLA, Baylor-Xavier and the rest of Saturday’s Showdowns |

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/18179830/kentucky-wildcats-ucla-bruins-highlight-season-first-big-weekend