Baylor vs. Clemson: NCAA Tournament Preview and Prediction
Here is everything you need to know about Baylor and Clemson in our Bears vs. Tigers NCAA Men’s Tournament second-round preview.
NO. 3 BAYLOR (24-10) VS. NO. 6 CLEMSON (22-11)
Time, TV: TBD, Sunday, TBD
Location: FedExForum, Memphis, TN
All-time series (Baylor 2-1): Clemson won the last meeting, 102-52, on Dec. 19, 1983.
Winner: Advances to the Sweet 16 on Thursday against the winner of the second-round game between No. 2 Arizona and No. 7 Dayton.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS
Baylor: C Yves Missi, F Jalen Bridges, F Jayden Nunn, G Ja’Kobe Walter, G RayJ Dennis
Clemson: C PJ Hall, F Jack Clark, F Ian Schieffelin, G Chase Hunter, G Joe Girard III
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BAYLOR
F Jalen Bridges
Senior forward Jalen Bridges put on a show in the Bears’ opening matchup against Colgate, scoring 23 points and five rebounds. Bridges will need to keep his hot streak going as the Bears will be without sophomore Langston Love again against Clemson and could be without him throughout the tournament. Bridges is averaging 11.9 points this season but has been impressive in his last five games, averaging 18.4 PPG.
CLEMSON
C PJ HALL
All-ACC First Team center PJ Hall is the best player on the basketball court for Clemson and will make for a great matchup with Baylor center Yves Missi. The 6-foot-10 senior from South Carolina is currently averaging 18.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on 49.2% shooting from the field. He played just 19 minutes against New Mexico in the Tigers’ opening matchup due to foul trouble but scored 14 points.
KEY STORYLINES
BAYLOR
What is the overall health of the unit? Baylor center Yves Missi got banged up in the Bears’ opening matchup and played just 16 minutes due to a back injury. Sophomore guard Langston Love is already confirmed out for the contest, but with two key players dealing with injuries, Baylor cannot afford to lose another key member.
CLEMSON
Can you slow down Baylor? Scott Drew’s squad is one of the top-scoring offenses in the country and is just coming off of a 92-point performance in the Round of 64. Clemson is a middle-of-the-pack defensive unit, giving up an average of 71.3 points per game this season, while Baylor is scoring 80.5. If Clemson wants to upset the three-seed, they must keep them off the stat sheet.
PREDICTION
Baylor 84, Clemson 73. Clemson has some solid players, and Baylor is dealing with some injuries, but I still believe the Bears will pull it out. After a dominant showing in the opening game, Baylor is poised for a long run in March.
