Baylor Basketball: Takeaways from win over Illinois in Jimmy V Classic

By Dave Ackert | Dec 3, 2020

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 11: Mark Vital #11 and Davion Mitchell #45 of the Baylor Bears congratulate MaCio Teague #31 after a basket during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on January 11, 2020 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Baylor Basketball (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

The Bears energy was felt not only by those there to witness but through the TV screen

Several times during the Broadcast Holly Rowe, Dan Shulman, and Jay Bilas all commented on the energy level and noise coming from the benches of both teams. They said that it had a totally different feel from the previous games in the same “empty” arena… and I 100% agree.

Both benches, but especially Baylor’s in the second half, contributed in a way that you won’t see on any stat sheet. But it matters. And one could argue it matters more than ever this year.

Teams that play as a team and bring each other up this year will have a DISTINCT advantage over their opponents with the lack of rowdy crowds doing it for them.

Once you started paying attention to it, Baylor’s bench players couldn’t stay seated. They were all already standing when big plays happened, which lead to running celebrations all over the extended sidelines.

The bench also showed up on the court.

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