Baylor vs Gonzaga: 5 key storylines for No. 1 against No. 2 battle
By Andrew Tineo
3. Impact Adam Flagler could make
The transfer from Presbyterian has quickly turned into a household name, as he shined for 18 points on five three-pointers against Illinois. He’s not unfamiliar with big performances, as he was the Big South Freshman of the year in 2018-2019. In that offseason, he would transfer to Baylor and sit out for that next season, alongside Johnathon Tchamwa Tchatchoua.
It won’t be long until everyone knows who Adam Flagler is at Baylor. 29 points against UCLA as a freshman. A true bucket getter!! @adamflagler pic.twitter.com/tGawRA0LqH
— Rem Bakamus (@Rem_Bakamus) April 21, 2020
His 29 points as a freshman against UCLA show the impact he can bring and whether he is on the court or on the bench, he’s creating the spark. During Baylor’s seven-minute spark that pulled away from Illinois, it would feature a lineup without their best offensive threat (Butler) and defensive player (Vital).
Flagler would make a three-pointer to give the Bears a six-point lead and then make a jumper a minute later to make it eight. The critical shots to create separation are huge in a game of that magnitude. Baylor would get the lead to as much as 16 in that second half as the Bears would finish strong.
This performance has been reoccurring for Flagler as he had 12 against ULL and scored 17 points on 6-11 shooting against Washington. An underrated matchup for this game if Suggs is 100 percent, is the sixth man battle between the two transfers in Flagler and Nembhard.
Flagler’s spot-up shooting and ability to create space can make him such a unique weapon when teams are trying to chase the other three talented guards. There seems to be little drop off from the other three and Flagler, which is why his impact and well he does will be a key to if Baylor can win or not.