Baylor Faces Louisville in High-Stakes Non-Conference Clash at Dickies Arena
FORT WORTH, Texas - Baylor men’s basketball is set for a marquee matchup this Saturday, squaring off against No. 25 Louisville in a neutral-site showdown at Dickies Arena.
Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT on ESPN, and while the Bears are looking to bounce back from a tough loss, all eyes will be on their standout freshman who’s rewriting the record books.
This game marks just the second-ever meeting between Baylor and Louisville. The first came back in 2016 during the Battle 4 Atlantis Championship, where the Bears edged out a 66-63 win. Fast forward to 2026, and the stakes feel even higher - both programs are looking to solidify their standing with March looming.
Yessoufou’s Breakout Performance Turns Heads
Baylor may have fallen to No. 22 BYU in a 99-94 shootout earlier this week, but the story of the night - and possibly the season - was freshman sensation Tounde Yessoufou. The first-year wing exploded for 37 points, going 12-for-19 from the field, knocking down five threes, and adding six rebounds, three assists, and a steal in a full 40-minute effort.
That 37-point outburst? It wasn’t just a career-high - it was historic. It’s the most points ever scored by a Baylor player against a ranked opponent and the highest-scoring game by a Bears freshman since LaceDarius Dunn’s 38-point night against Texas Tech back in 2008.
Even more impressive, Yessoufou’s performance came in a game that made college basketball history. Alongside BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, who dropped 36, the duo became the first pair of opposing freshmen to each score 35+ in the same Division I game in 12 years. And with a third player also crossing the 30-point mark, it was the first time ever that a game involving a Big 12 team featured three 30-point scorers.
Yessoufou is proving he’s more than just a one-game wonder. He’s the only Division I freshman this season averaging at least 15.0 points and 2.0 steals per game - a rare feat matched only by Big 12 names like Marcus Smart, Maurice Baker, and VJ Edgecombe in league history.
Trends Favoring the Bears
Despite the recent loss, Baylor has been trending in the right direction offensively. Over their last five contests, the Bears are shooting nearly 46% from the field and putting up 73.8 points per game - a noticeable uptick from the 40.1% shooting and 66.8 points they averaged over their first five Big 12 games.
And when Baylor gets hot, they’re tough to beat. The Bears are a perfect 13-0 this season when leading at halftime and have won 90% of their games (279-37) when ahead at the break over the last 14 years. Even more telling: they’re 94-5 in the last decade when shooting 50% or better from the field - the sixth-best win rate in Division I over that span.
Carr and Agbim Stepping Up
While Yessoufou has been the headline, Baylor’s depth is quietly making noise. Cameron Carr earned a spot on the Big 12 Starting Five after a strong two-game stretch, where he logged 43 points and played all but four minutes.
He dropped 24 points at No. 7 Iowa State, just shy of his career-high, and tied his personal bests in made threes (5) and attempts (10).
Obi Agbim has also found his rhythm. After a slow start to conference play, he’s now posted five straight double-digit scoring games, totaling 79 points and shooting over 41% from the field during that stretch. His 19-point performance against the Buffaloes was a season-high, and he added six assists and a block to round out a complete effort.
Battling on the Boards
One area where Baylor has consistently flexed its muscle? The glass.
The Bears have outrebounded their opponent in nine of 12 Big 12 games, averaging 34.8 total rebounds and 11.2 offensive boards per contest in conference play. That kind of effort on the boards has helped them stay competitive even when shots aren’t falling.
What’s at Stake
Saturday’s clash with Louisville isn’t just another non-conference game - it’s a measuring stick. With one of the nation’s top freshmen, a surging offense, and a roster that’s showing signs of cohesion, Baylor has a chance to make a strong statement on a national stage.
Louisville brings its own firepower and ranking into the mix, but if Baylor can build on recent performances - and if Yessoufou continues his meteoric rise - this could be the kind of win that shapes the Bears’ postseason narrative.
Tipoff is coming fast. And with the way this Baylor team is evolving, it’s safe to say: don’t blink.