Thursday, November 27, 2008
By John Werner
Tribune-Herald staff writer
After roaring through four home games, the Baylor men’s basketball team will head to Disneyland for the first road trip of the season.
But the Bears aren’t playing in a Mickey Mouse tournament.
Baylor will play its stiffest nonconference competition in the 76 Classic tonight through Sunday in Anaheim, Calif. The Bears open the eight-team tournament against Providence at 10:30 (CDT) tonight at the Anaheim Convention Center on ESPN2.
“I’m very excited about playing in the 76 Classic,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “We’ll not only be playing quality competition, we’re also playing on a national stage. If it turns out like the Paradise Jam, it will be a great trip.”
The Bears jump-started their NCAA tournament season by sweeping three games in the Paradise Jam last November in the Virgin Islands. Winning the 76 Classic will be an even tougher task.
If the Bears (4-0) knock off Providence (3-1), they’ll face the winner of tonight’s 8 p.m. game between No. 14 Arizona State (3-0) and Charlotte (1-3). The first-round winners will play at 11:30 p.m. Friday on ESPN2, while the losers will play at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.
The other bracket should also be highly competitive. St. Mary’s (3-0) faces Texas-El Paso (2-1) at 1 p.m. today, while No. 19 Wake Forest (3-0) meets Cal State Fullerton (2-2) at 3:30 p.m.
The winners of the two brackets will meet in the championship game at 9:30 p.m. Sunday on ESPN2.
“It’s going to be tough to play three games in four days,” Baylor guard LaceDarius Dunn said. “But we’ve got to take care of business. We’ll play hard and we’ll be motivated, and adapt to what we’re facing.”
Burying seven of 11 treys, Dunn led the Bears to a 76-68 win over Jacksonville on Monday night at the Ferrell Center. Curtis Jerrells also had a strong game, collecting 18 points and eight assists.
The Bears are averaging 89.7 points, while Providence is averaging 90. Led by former Drake coach Keno Davis, Providence features a balanced attack keyed by forward Marshon Brooks with 15 points per game, guard Jeff Xavier with 12.8, guard Weyinmi Efejuku with 12.5 and center Jonathan Kale with 11.8. Forward Geoff McDermott is averaging 10.8 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
“Providence likes to play in the 90s and 100s,” Drew said. “They are very good offensively and like to press. The officials will get a workout.”
If the Bears play Arizona State in the second round, they’ll have to stop one of the top scorers in the country in guard James Harden, who is averaging 25 points.
“We’re going to face some good teams, but we’re ready to show what we’ve got,” Jerrells said.
jwerner@wacotrib.com
757-5716
Comments
By stanley green
Nov 30, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
baylor is doing a great job ,little more defense and we will see them late march. quicny acy will be great ,once he learn that playing with passion is great ,but you must learn that the same respect and manners you have off the court ,must happen on the court also.he is a outstanding young man ,and a possitive role model,technical fouls are for coaches and not the atheletes
By Joel
Nov 27, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
This is definitely a tough task for the Bears, but in reality this could be a great BEGINING for a club full of expectation. GO BEARS were watching your progress & growth, both on and off the court
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