Listed here are three takeaways from the 72-64 loss to the No. 1 seed. Three Baylor vs. No. 1 seed 6 Clemson within the second spherical of the NCAA Event on Sunday night time at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
As anticipated, proper?
Certain, we may have predicted that Clemson would hit over 50 p.c of its Three-pointers within the first half, whereas Baylor (24-11) — which is within the high 10 nationally in Three-pointers — linked solely 25% for the sport. So it proved, because it was a capturing nightmare day for the Bears. Baylor has seemingly lived and died by the deep ball for 2 straight seasons and ended with second-round exits.
The Bears went from hitting 16 deep on Friday to only six on Sunday. Certainly, there will not be a workforce within the nation that may match a Baylor workforce, however it hasn't been sustainable this yr.
Imposing measurement a small issue
Clemson didn't win this sport as a result of that they had extra measurement than Baylor. Now, that was a viable thought within the sport, however the Bears weren't dominated in factors within the paint (received 30-22) or rebounding (received 33-32). The Tigers discovered a victory on the again of one thing so simple as – hitting extra pictures.
On the finish of the day, basketball is about who places the ball within the cup extra, and Baylor's first-half woes coupled with its incapability to attach past the arc damage them from the bounce.
Right here we’re once more
One other yr, one other Spherical of 32 exit. Baylor's loss to Clemson is the third straight time it has misplaced within the second spherical since successful all of it in 2020-21. As irritating as it might be, it's nonetheless value noting that the Bears are one in all 4 groups within the nation to win only one sport within the NCAA Event within the final 5 years.
So, sure – head coach Scott Drew has constructed a well-oiled engine that’s able to being a high three seed yearly. However sooner or later, the query arises: what’s going to it take to make it to the second weekend? Baylor has introduced in elite freshmen and transfers yearly, however one thing might need to vary.
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