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

By Trevor Sinodhinos

LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 29: Ochai Agbaji #30 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives the ball forward against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first half at Allen Fieldhouse on January 29, 2022 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 29: Ochai Agbaji #30 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives the ball forward against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first half at Allen Fieldhouse on January 29, 2022 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images) /
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Baylor Bears guard LJ Cryer Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Baylor Bears guard LJ Cryer Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports /

Baylor’s injuries

Throughout the season, Coach Drew has been utilizing a nine-man rotation, this rotation was challenged in their 81-77 victory over West Virginia on Monday night.  The reason Baylor’s depth was so challenged was because of LJ Cryer (12.9 ppg) being sidelined for the second straight game with a foot injury, in addition, third-leading scorer Adam Flagler was in street clothes due to an injured knee.

In their absence, Dale Bonner entered the starting line-up and logged 36 minutes while contributing five points. Jeremy Sochan saw an additional nine minutes for a total of 31 while contributing 13 points.

There is no question of the role Bonner has played off the bench this season for the Bears, nor can his importance versus West Virginia be underestimated, but to ask the 6’2 freshman to continue to play an additional twelve minutes a game -especially versus Kansas-  would be a stretching of resources for Coach Drew when attempting to match-up with the big guards of Kansas.

The key to Baylor being able to maintain their 61 points against average versus Kansas – with Cryer not playing and if Flagler does not play- will be the 6’8″ Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua who saw just a five-minute uptick versus West Virginia. Tchamwa Tchatchoua will not be a perfect replacement for Flagler and would see a few minutes matching up with Agbaji, but he does give Coach Drew some versatility on the defensive end of the floor.

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