Baylor Returns to Waco Looking to Build Momentum Against Colorado
After a much-needed road win, Baylor men’s basketball is back in Waco, hoping to turn the tide of a tough Big 12 campaign. The Bears (12-9, 2-7 Big 12) host Colorado (13-9, 3-6 Big 12) Wednesday night at Foster Pavilion, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. CT on Peacock.
This matchup marks Colorado’s first visit to Waco since 2011, when Baylor edged out a 70-66 win. Historically, the Bears have had the upper hand at home in this series, holding a 6-3 record against the Buffaloes in Waco. Colorado hasn’t left Waco with a win since March 1, 2003.
These two teams renewed their rivalry last season after Colorado rejoined the Big 12, with the Buffaloes narrowly taking that meeting in Boulder, 76-74. That game came down to the wire, with Baylor nearly erasing a 10-point deficit in the final minutes before falling short.
Baylor’s Battle-Tested, but Searching for Consistency
The Bears are coming off a split on their recent road swing, dropping a game at Cincinnati before bouncing back with a gritty 63-53 win at West Virginia. That win snapped a four-game losing streak and marked Baylor’s second conference victory of the season.
More importantly, it ended West Virginia’s 16-game home winning streak - the longest active run in the Big 12. Under head coach Scott Drew, Baylor has now won nine times in Morgantown, more than any other Big 12 team.
A big reason for that win? Obi Agbim.
The junior guard stepped up with double-digit scoring in both road games, including a season-high 16 points in conference play against the Mountaineers. It was just the second time this season Agbim has led the team in scoring - but when he’s on, Baylor tends to follow.
The Bears are 10-2 when Agbim hits double figures.
Agbim also showed poise as a playmaker, dishing out seven assists without a single turnover over the two-game stretch. That kind of efficiency has him ranked second in the Big 12 - and 10th nationally - in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.67). In a conference as physical and fast-paced as the Big 12, that’s elite-level control.
Home-Court Struggles Continue
While the road win in Morgantown was a step in the right direction, Baylor’s issues at home are still looming large. The Bears have dropped four straight at Foster Pavilion - their longest home skid since the 2013-14 season. They haven’t won in Waco since a Dec. 29 win over Arlington Baptist.
That 2013-14 team, it’s worth noting, also started slow but finished strong - going 9-9 in conference play and reaching the NCAA Sweet 16. So while this year’s squad is off to its worst Big 12 start since 2006-07, there’s precedent for a late-season turnaround under Drew.
Rebounding Remains a Strength
Despite the record, Baylor has quietly been one of the better rebounding teams in the Big 12. They’ve outrebounded opponents in seven of nine conference games, averaging 36.3 total boards and 12.0 offensive rebounds per game in league play.
On the season, the Bears rank second in the Big 12 and 36th nationally in offensive rebounding (13.24 per game), and third in the conference in total rebounds (39.29 per game). That glass dominance hasn’t always translated to wins, but it’s a foundation that could pay off down the stretch.
A Brutal Schedule
Part of Baylor’s early struggles can be chalked up to the gauntlet they’ve faced. According to KenPom, the Bears have played the second-toughest opponent defensive schedule in the country.
Their overall strength of schedule ranks 18th nationally and fourth in the Big 12. In a league this deep, there are no easy nights - and Baylor’s been in the thick of it from the jump.
Carr on the Watch List
Sophomore guard Cameron Carr continues to draw national attention. He’s one of just five Big 12 players named to the midseason watch list for the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award. Carr has scored in double figures in the first half of 16 of Baylor’s 21 games this season, giving the Bears a consistent early spark.
Scouting Colorado
The Buffaloes come in riding high after snapping a six-game losing streak with a dominant 87-61 win over TCU. That win matched their Big 12 win total from last season - and they’ve done it in 11 fewer games. Colorado also has more regular-season wins already than it did all of last year.
Isaiah Johnson leads the Buffs in scoring at 16.5 points per game, with support from a balanced group that includes Sebastian Rancik, Bangot Dak, and Barrington Hargress.
Last Time Out
In their last meeting, Colorado held off a late Baylor rally to win 76-74 in Boulder. The Bears missed their final five shots and turned it over twice in the closing minutes, unable to complete the comeback.
Norchad Omier led the way with an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double - his 15th of the season and 83rd of his career. Langston Love added 17 points on three made threes, while Jalen Celestine and Jeremy Roach chipped in 11 apiece.
Colorado’s Andrej Jakimovski paced the Buffs with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in a well-rounded performance.
What’s at Stake
For Baylor, this is more than just another conference game - it’s a chance to stop the bleeding at home and build on the momentum from Morgantown. The Bears have shown flashes of what they’re capable of, especially when Agbim and Carr are clicking.
But in a loaded Big 12, flashes won’t be enough. They’ll need a full 40-minute effort to take down a Colorado team that’s suddenly found its rhythm.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT. Let’s see if the Bears can bring the energy back to Foster Pavilion.