Baylor vs UConn: 2024-25 College basketball game preview, TV schedule

UConn hosts Baylor as part of the Big 12-Big East Battle with both teams needing a win; can the Huskies finally beat a top team or do the Bears still one on the road?

TV schedule: Wednesday, December 4, 6:30 pm ET. FS1

Arena: Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut

Connecticut (5-3) suffered a complete disaster in Maui, as the Huskies lost all three games and saw their early-season stock completely fall apart. Tough defensive efforts against Memphis, Colorado, and Dayton doomed their trip to the Maui Invitational, and now the Huskies desperately need a strong showing to get back on track.

As expected before the season, Alex Karaban (15.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.3 apg) has been the face of the Huskies this year; the only returning starter from last season’s title run. Freshman Liam McNeeley (12.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg) is playing up to expectations early in the year, while players like Solomon Ball (12.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg) are certainly taking on greater roles after all of those offseason departures.

Despite that rough showing, UConn is still 25th in the AP Top 25 and have slid to 24th in the KenPom rankings. Their offense hasn’t let up this season even with a myriad of new pieces playing bigger roles, though defense doomed them overseas. Additionally, the Huskies check in at just 39th in the first edition of the NET rankings and have clear work ahead of them.

While the situation isn’t as dire, things aren’t perfect for Baylor (5-2) either through a month of play. The Bears were destroyed by Gonzaga on opening night and dropped a rough game against Tennessee a few weeks later. They’ve shown up against inferior foes and did score a pair of nice wins against Arkansas and St. John’s, but their second road game of the season will be another monster challenge.

Former Miami big man Norchad Omier (15.9 ppg, 10.4 rpg) is putting up the exact kind of numbers that the Bears expected after grad transferring to Baylor this past offseason. Fellow transfer Jeremy Roach (13.3 ppg, 4.7 apg) is becoming more of a leader since arriving from Duke, leading a talented backcourt. A pair of freshman also star in that backcourt, namely Robert Wright (11.9 ppg, 4.7 apg) and V. J. Edgecombe (11.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg), who have each had brilliant moments early on this season.

Baylor is still #15 in the AP Top 25, though they sit just 23rd in KenPom and 22nd in the initial NET rankings. This is another program that plays strong and smart on the offensive end but has had its share of struggles defensively. Gonzaga and Tennessee both went to town on this defense, and those games were also the ones where the shots weren’t falling for the Bears.

Both teams were battle-tested in recent weeks and each could sure use a big win to kick off December. The Huskies are really freefalling after that showing in Maui, and losing on their home court after all of that would be incredibly detrimental. With how the Bears have looked against elite foes, you’d think UConn could handle this game with ease, but has the first month told us that the Huskies are an elite team?

These teams are both remarkably talented. There’s notable depth on both ends, and each has shown the ability to make shots. However, UConn hasn’t beat any worthwhile teams and their defense really was abysmal last week in Maui. If Baylor can steal this game in Storrs, they will need to be able to hit outside shots and win some of those battles between Omier and Karaban down low. We’re expecting a close game, but surely the Huskies get things sorted out.

Prediction: Connecticut 78, Baylor 75