Baylor Basketball: 2018-19 keys for the Bears against Kansas State

LUBBOCK, TX - DECEMBER 29: Mark Vital #11 of the Baylor Bears shoots the ball over Norense Odiase #32 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the game on December 29, 2017 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 77-53. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

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PROVIDENCE, RI – MARCH 19: Yale’s Mason (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

1. Get Makai Mason going early

A graduate transfer from Yale, Makai Mason has went from Baylor’s worst enemy to their greatest asset in just two years’ time.

After piloting Yale to an upset over Baylor in the 2016 NCAA Tournament, Mason finds himself as the Bears’ top scorer.

Against TCU on Saturday, Mason dropped a career-high 40 points, leading the Bears to what was at the time their fifth-consecutive win.

However, against Texas on Wednesday, Mason scored just five games, and the Bears’ winning streak was snapped.

Are we sensing a theme here? Mason is absolutely vital for Baylor to operate on offense.

Mason is averaging 16 points per game on the season, and is the center of the Baylor offense at the point guard position. When Mason got hot against TCU, the Bears caught fire as a team, blowing the Horned Frogs out of the water.

Don’t expect Baylor to blow Kansas State out of the water, but if Mason can replicate his performance last Saturday, Baylor will certainly be well-positioned to win.

Another 40-point explosion might be too much to ask, but if Mason can put up big numbers, Baylor will be in prime position to take down the Wildcats.

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