5 Questions the Baylor Bears Must Answer In Conference Play

By Patrick Stanton

5 Questions the Baylor Bears Must Answer In Conference play

Baylor — The Baylor Bears have plenty to be excited about early on in their conference schedule. They have a top 25 ranking, an impressive win over Iowa State and look as if they will be strong contenders to make the NCAA tournament. However, if they want to want to move from a fringe contender to a legitimate contender for the Big 12 title, they will have to resolve a few issues.

5. What Do They Do When the Threes Aren't Falling?

Chery 3

5. What Do They Do When the Threes Aren't Falling?

Chery 3 — Baylor is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the Big 12, shooting 36.8 percent on the season. However, they struggle to score inside the arc and from the free-throw line. Shooting from three-point range can be a fickle game, so how do the Bears score if they run into a cold spell?

4. Can They Continue To Rely On Kenny Chery In Crunch-Time?

Chery

4. Can They Continue To Rely On Kenny Chery In Crunch-Time?

Chery — Senior guard Kenny Chery has bailed Baylor out of a few sticky situations so far this season, including the game-winning jumper against Iowa State. It would be unreasonable to think Chery can be the hero every time the Bears are in a tight game. What does Baylor do when Chery isn't feeling hot?

3. What Do They Do Against Bigger Teams?

Gathers Bigs

3. What Do They Do Against Bigger Teams?

Gathers Bigs — Baylor has been a monster on the boards, and they have been able to generate a lot of points from offensive rebounds. They have also been able to use their size to control opposing offenses. However, will they be able to hang with other big, high rebounding teams in the conference, such as Texas and Kansas?

2. Will Rico Gathers Continue To Develop?

Rico Gathers

2. Will Rico Gathers Continue To Develop?

Rico Gathers — Junior forward Rico Gathers has done a tremendous job of developing his offensive game this season and has become an absolute machine on the boards. However, there is still plenty of room for his game to grow. If he can be more consistent with his scoring and work on his free-throw shooting, he could be one of the best big guys in the conference.

1. Who Can Score Consistently?

Taurean Prince

1. Who Can Score Consistently?

Taurean Prince — With five players averaging between nine and 12 PPG, Baylor has plenty of scoring options. However, not one of these players has proven he can score consistently from game-to-game. Taurean Prince is the leading scorer, but he has been far from consistent. Chery may be the most reliable since the start of the new year, but he suffered from a nasty cold spell early in the season. Which one of those guys can the Bears count on going into big games?

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Baylor Bears

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