Alabama basketball vs. Baylor Bears: Scouting report, score prediction
Alabama basketball is fresh off one of its worst performances of the season, and one of its greatest challenges awaits.
The Crimson Tide (13-7, 4-4 SEC) lost Tuesday to Georgia, the SEC's worst team. Next up, Alabama faces No. 4 Baylor (18-2, 6-2 Big 12) as part of the Big 12/SEC challenge on Saturday (3 p.m., ESPN).
It's no secret Alabama has a difficult schedule this season. KenPom ranks the Crimson Tide atop all teams in strength of schedule. This matchup at Coleman Coliseum is among the main reasons why that schedule is so difficult.
Navigating the rollercoaster nature of the schedule has proven difficult for Alabama at times.
“We continue to have these issues with playing up and down to the level of our competition," Alabama coach Nate Oats said after the 82-76 loss to Georgia.
That ability to play to the level of opponents could serve well Saturday, though. That's one area that offers a glimmer of hope following the lackluster performance at Georgia. Alabama, despite its January issues, still found a way to beat Gonzaga and Houston and take Auburn to the final minutes.
Here's a look at Baylor and a prediction.
NATE OATS: Nate Oats on Alabama basketball loss at Georgia: 'I’ve got to put the right guys on the floor '
BRITTON JOHNSON: How walk-on Britton Johnson sparked Alabama basketball against Missouri
Baylor's season
The Bears haven't been perfect, but so far, they look to be in a prime position to defend their national championship.
Although Baylor is ranked No. 4 in both polls, it has spent time at No. 1 this season.
The Bears also sit No. 2 in KenPom and No. 4 in NET.
No team this season has more Quad 1 wins than Baylor, who has seven. The Bears have two losses, one in Quad 1 and the other in Quad 2. Otherwise, their overall record in the first two quads is 10-2.
By comparison, the Crimson Tide is No. 25 in NET and No. 20 in KenPom. Alabama is 6-5 in Quad 1 and Quad 2 games, but the two Quad 3 losses are a major blemish for the Crimson Tide.
Baylor's best wins have come against No. 10 Michigan State, No. 12 Villanova and No. 24 Iowa State.
The Bears' two losses have been in January against No. 14 Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.
Numbers to know
Discovering why Baylor has had plenty of success isn't difficult. Just look at offensive efficiency and defensive efficiency.
The Bears rank No. 5 and No. 6 nationally respectively in those two categories.
Baylor is one of the better offensive rebounding teams. It ranks No. 26 with 12.95 offensive rebounds per game. The Bears' overall rebound margin is ranked No. 17 at seven.
Baylor's turnover margin of 4.2 is also among the best, ranked No. 20.
Other top 25 categories of note in which the Bears rank: No. 23 in field goal percentage (48.14%) and No. 11 in assists per game (17.6).
Players to watch
Baylor has four players who average double digits in scoring every game: L.J. Cryer (13.9), James Akinjo (13.2), Adam Flagler (12.5) and Kendall Brown (10.1).
Akinjo transferred to Baylor from Arizona, where he started 26 games in 2020-21. He also played at Georgetown. He ranks No. 19 in the country in assists per game (5.6) and No. 22 in steals (2.17). He leads the Bears with 39 steals overall.
Cryer, who came off the bench in 20 games last season, also leads the Bears in three-point shooting percentage at 46.7%.
Prediction
Baylor 72, Alabama 67: The Crimson Tide will rebound from a poor performance against Georgia, but improving play and being able to beat Baylor are two different things. Alabama must significantly improve its 3-point shooting if it wants to have a shot against the Bears.
Contact Alabama reporter Nick Kelly: nkelly@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @_NickKelly
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball vs. Baylor Bears: Scouting report, score prediction
