Baylor Heads to Manhattan for Reunion-Fueled Matchup with Kansas State
There’s a lot more than just Big 12 standings on the line when Baylor visits Kansas State Tuesday night at Bramlage Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2, and while the Bears are trying to claw their way back into the conference mix, this one comes with a heavy dose of history.
Let’s start with the coaching storyline. Baylor head coach Scott Drew will be facing off against a familiar face - Matthew Driscoll, Kansas State’s interim head coach, and one of Drew’s original staff members when he began rebuilding the Baylor program in the early 2000s. The two worked side-by-side in Waco from 2003 to 2009, helping guide the Bears from the depths of a program reset to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 20 years in 2008.
Driscoll eventually moved on to become the head coach at North Florida, but the ties to Drew - and to Baylor - never really faded. And now, with Kansas State parting ways with Jerome Tang (another longtime Drew assistant), Driscoll steps in to lead the Wildcats, creating a full-circle moment in Manhattan.
For Drew, this marks the 10th time he’ll coach against one of his former assistants. So far, he’s 3-6 in those matchups. And while the personal connections are rich, the Bears come into this one needing a win for more practical reasons.
A Tough Stretch, But Signs of Life
Baylor’s 13-12 overall record and 3-9 Big 12 mark don’t tell the full story. The Bears have faced the toughest defensive strength of schedule in the country, according to KenPom, and their overall schedule ranks sixth nationally - third in the Big 12. Simply put: they’ve been tested, and often.
That gauntlet has included back-to-back games last week against ranked opponents - No. 22 BYU and No.
24 Louisville - and while the Bears didn’t walk away with wins, they saw a star emerge. Freshman Tounde Yessoufou delivered a breakout week, averaging 26.5 points across the two games, including a historic 37-point performance against BYU.
That outing set a Baylor program record for most points scored by a player against a ranked opponent, and was the highest-scoring game by a freshman since LaceDarius Dunn dropped 38 back in 2008.
Yessoufou didn’t just score - he filled up the stat sheet. He played all but four minutes over the two games and added five steals, continuing a season where he’s the only Division I freshman averaging at least 15 points and 2 steals per game. His emergence adds a new layer to Baylor’s offense down the stretch.
Carr Keeps Carrying the Load
While Yessoufou grabbed headlines last week, Cameron Carr continues to be the steady engine for this Bears team. He’s hit double figures in the first half of 18 of Baylor’s 25 games this season - a testament to his ability to set the tone early. Averaging 19.2 points per game, Carr ranks fifth in the Big 12 in scoring and recently earned a spot on the Big 12 Starting Five for his performances against Colorado and Iowa State.
Over his last two games, Carr was on the floor for all but four minutes and averaged 21.5 points, showing no signs of slowing down as the season hits its most critical stretch.
Trends to Watch
Despite their struggles in the win column, Baylor’s recent play suggests they may be turning a corner. Over their last five games, the Bears are shooting 46.3% from the field and averaging 76.6 points - a significant jump from the 40.1% shooting and 66.8 points they posted in their first five conference matchups.
One stat that’s held true all season: when Baylor leads at halftime, they win. The Bears are 13-0 this year when taking a lead into the break and have won 90% of such games over the past 14 seasons (279-37).
Another key number? Baylor is 94-5 over the last decade when shooting 50% or better from the floor - the sixth-best mark in Division I during that span.
Road Woes in Manhattan
Baylor hasn’t won at Bramlage Coliseum since February 9, 2022, when they took down the Wildcats 75-60. Kansas State has claimed the last two meetings in Manhattan, and while the Wildcats sit at 10-15 overall and 1-11 in the Big 12, they’ll be motivated under new leadership and playing in front of a home crowd.
The trip also marks a bit of a homecoming for Baylor assistant coach Steve Henson, who was a four-year starting point guard at Kansas State from 1986 to 1990. He returns to the floor where he once ran the offense, now helping guide the Bears through one of the most competitive conference slates in the nation.
What’s at Stake
For Baylor, this game is about more than nostalgia. It’s a chance to get back on track against a struggling Kansas State team, and with the conference tournament looming, every win matters. The Bears have been through the fire this season - and while the record reflects the grind, the talent and trajectory suggest there’s still time to make noise.
Tuesday night’s matchup isn’t just a game - it’s a reunion, a rivalry, and a reset opportunity all rolled into one. Don’t be surprised if emotions run high and the basketball is even better.