Baylor Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Bears to defeat Villanova

LUBBOCK, TX - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears talks to his players at a time out during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders 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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VILLANOVA, PA – NOVEMBER 05: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl #24 of the Villanova Wildcats dribbles the ball against Chris Mann #4 of the Army Black Knights in the first half at Finneran Pavilion on November 5, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1. Limit the effectiveness of Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

Baylor has had its fair share of five-star freshman big men this early season. In the three-point loss to Washington, Isaiah Stewart and Jaden McDaniels combined for 33 points and 14 rebounds against the Bears. For this game, they’ll be taking on another highly regarded freshman frontcourt player in Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.

Through five games, the freshman is averaging 14.2 ppg and 9.6 rpg around 30 mpg. He’s had some inconsistency, with a pair of 20+ point efforts to go with two games scoring under 10 points. He was on the positive side in the last game against Mississippi State, going for 22 points and seven rebounds.

Although Villanova currently has six players averaging double figures, their ceiling is when Robinson-Earl plays at his best. The Wildcats don’t have another true inside post threat that can wreak havoc down low and in order for the perimeter players to have room to operate, the frontcourt has to have an impact.

Baylor doesn’t have the greatest amount of size and can be had inside, evident by the Huskies defeat. But the Bears do have a few bodies to throw at him in Mark Vital, Freddie Gillespie, Tristan Clark and even Flo Thamba off the bench. They may have to foul Earl-Robinson a bit to make him uncomfortable but as long as he doesn’t have a 20-point effort, Baylor should be fine. If he goes off however, things will be problematic.

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