Quentin Grimes vs Davion Mitchell a key storyline for Houston vs Baylor

Quentin Grimes vs Davion Mitchell a key storyline for Houston against Baylor

Mar 29, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Baylor Bears pose for a team photo after defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks to advance to the final four in the Elite Eight of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

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Baylor Bears guard Davion Mitchell Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Davion Mitchell defending Quentin Grimes

What makes this matchup going to be fun is the number of talented guards that will be everywhere on the court. With how both teams switch on screens and how they operate, we might not see too many individual matchups.

But one I’m confident of will involve one of the best offensive perimeter players in the country (Grimes) versus arguably the best perimeter defender (Mitchell). Grimes is the reigning AAC Player of the Year, averaging 18.0 ppg, also putting up 18.0 ppg in the four games in the NCAA Tournament.

The former Kansas Jayhawk is the star guard for Houston and is going to take around 12-15+ shots a game, with 2/3 of them coming from three-point range. When Grimes is on from deep, Houston’s offense is incredibly difficult to stop.

Baylor’s best option to slow down Grimes will be 6’2 point guard Davion Mitchell, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year but could easily be the national version as well. He’s incredibly physical and doesn’t allow opposing guards to be comfortable, whether on the perimeter or when they’re driving.

Mitchell does have the propensity to get in foul trouble, evident when dealing with Arkansas backcourt and getting three early fouls, which allowed the Razorbacks to climb back into the game. Houston would love for that to be the same case this time around, but with Grimes preferring to shoot instead of slashing at times, this could work out in Mitchell and Baylor’s favor to avoid catching fouls.

If Grimes struggles, the Cougars’ odds of winning go down dramatically. Mitchell will be tasked with doing the heavy lifting throughout the game but it’ll be a team effort overall to pull it off.