SAN DIEGO - When the NCAA Tournament Bracket was unveiled, Bill Self turned his attention to scouting Cal Baptist. With only the basics in hand-location, coach, and standout player Dominique Daniels Jr.-Self and his staff began their deep dive into what makes this team tick.
"They're very well coached," Self noted upon arriving in San Diego. "They're sound, solid defensively, and they've got multiple perimeter threats.
But Daniels, he's something else. He can create his own shot like few we've faced this season.
We'll need to keep a close eye on him, but their entire roster is packed with talent."
Dominique Daniels Jr., standing at 5-foot-10, has been torching the WAC as its leading scorer for the past two years. Averaging 23.2 points per game on 43.7% shooting and 32.8% from beyond the arc, Daniels is the engine of the Cal Baptist offense, boasting one of the highest usage rates in college basketball.
Martel Williams backs him up as the second-leading scorer, putting up 12.7 points per game. Williams is a physical guard who thrives on attacking the basket. Beyond these two, Cal Baptist relies on a balanced attack, with six players contributing between four and 10 points per game.
Defensively, Cal Baptist stands tall, ranking 52nd nationally in KenPom's defensive efficiency. They allow just 0.84 points per possession in the half court, placing them 31st in the nation. While they may not force many turnovers, their shot contesting is top-notch.
One unique aspect Self discovered during his research was the WAC's unusual scheduling format. "It's a strange league," he remarked.
"They play each other three times because there are only seven teams. That means the schedule can be a bit of a rollercoaster.
They went undefeated at home, 15-0, which is impressive."
With only seven teams, the WAC's three-game round-robin schedule ensures an 18-game conference season. Cal Baptist finished 13-5 in conference play, with losses coming in bunches.
They dropped their first three conference games, then lost two more in succession after a nine-game win streak. Now, they're entering the NCAA Tournament riding a six-game winning streak.
"They're capable," Self concluded, "more than capable."