Baylor vs Kansas: 2021-22 key storylines for important Big 12 matchup

Three-point line

The signs are all pointing toward the fact that this game will boil down to which team can be the most successful from beyond the arc. A storyline that should be expected considering Baylor is a top 70 team in terms of three-point field goals made and Kansas is among the top 60 in three-point percentage. If you were hoping for an old-fashioned physical Big 12 match-up, prepare yourself for a shootout that the new generation is accustomed to.

The two players that would have been at the forefront for Baylor in LJ Cryer and Adam Flagler are either not competing or unknown at the moment. Cryer along with Agbaji are the top two players in the Big 12 when it comes to three-point field goal percentage. Cryer averages six three-point attempts per game and connects on over 46 percent.

The 6’1″ guard has started just three games but leads the Bears in scoring at 13.9 per game. Agbaji who leads the Big 12 in scoring – by more than two points – is tenths behind Cryer when it comes to three-point percentage while attempting 6.9 per game ( one more than Cryer).

Even as Kansas has shot above 40 percent from the arc in four games this season and the three times when Baylor was that successful it was in three non-conference victories, it is how the two teams defend the three-pointer that adds to this storyline. The Bears’ opponents have been successful on less than 30 percent of their attempts from deep which ranks them No. 33 in three-point defense. The 31 percent Kansas’ opponents have made is just two percent worse than Baylor’s opponents.

When both teams are top 60 in three-point field goal offense and top 90 in three-point field goal defense it is impossible to underestimate the importance of extending the defense beyond the three-point line. Even if you are a fan of an old-fashioned smash-mouth Big 12 game.