NCAA Basketball: Takeaways from Virginia’s surprise Continental Tire title win

Key takeaways for 3rd Place Baylor Bears

Defense was a bit underwhelming

In the past few years, Baylor has had one of the best team defenses in NCAA Basketball. With all the athletes and shutdown guards they had on the perimeter, that should be the same this year. But giving up 86 points to Virginia, who likes to play at a slower pace, is a tad bit worrying. The 75 points to UCLA is a little better but the perimeter defense wasn’t elite and if that remains the case this season, will make them vulnerable.

Cryer and Flagler both are All-American candidates 

While the perimeter defense wasn’t elite, the perimeter scoring for Baylor certainly was. Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer combined for 34 points and 11 assists in the loss to Virginia, as well as 50 points and 10 rebounds on 8/16 shooting from three-point range versus UCLA. Keyonte George, the third wheel in the backcourt, was more inconsistent this weekend. But when he’s on, the Bears will be hard to stop.

Baylor got nothing from Jalen Bridges

The biggest disappointment for the Bears had to have been the starting forward Bridges, who went 0/9 from the field combined and scored just two points. He was okay in other facets of the game but ultimately, the team didn’t get much production from the frontcourt. In fact, his backup, BYU transfer Caleb Lohner, outplayed him this weekend and could be in play for more playing time in the future.