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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CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 28: Mark Vital #11 of the Baylor Bears takes the ball from J.P. Macura #55 of the Xavier Musketeers in the first half of a game at Cintas Center on November 28, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Productive performances from Mark Vital, other wings

Despite injuries to top scorers Tristan Clark and Jake Lindsey, other Baylor players have stepped up big time in supporting scoring roles.

One of those players is sophomore guard Mark Vital. Vital is averaging 6 points and 7 rebounds per game in an expanded role since the injuries to Clark and Lindsey.

Against Texas, Vital scored 14 points. While Baylor would ultimately lose, Vital stepped up big regardless, especially considering how bad of a game Makai Mason played.

Another major contributor for the Bears has been King McClure. A senior guard, McClure is averaging 10 points and five rebounds per game. Against Texas, McClure contributed just six points.

If their performances in big wins indicates anything, it’s that the play of Vital and McClure is absolutely vital for Baylor to win, especially against a well-rounded team like the Kansas State Wildcats.

Mason should be able to rebound from his poor performance against Texas, but if he somehow cannot, McClure and Vital certainly will need to come through with major performances.

The two of them have made big strides in wake of injuries to the Baylor roster, but in all likelihood, they’ll need to play past their averages on Saturday in order for Baylor to feel good about a win.

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