MEMPHIS: Eight teams came to Memphis for the NCAA Tournament, and four remain on Saturday. The doubleheader at the FedEx Forum on Sunday begins at 6:10 PM Eastern Time with #3 seed Baylor against #6 Clemson. The nightcap will pit #1 seed Houston against #9 Texas A&M.
Clemson turned in one of their finest performances over the last few weeks in defeating a favored New Mexico team Friday 76-55. The Tigers jumped on the Lobos early, built a 19-point lead, and never let them back into the game.
The Tigers shot the ball well for most of the game and had the kind of inside-outside balance Brad Brownell prefers. They also played a great defensive game holding New Mexico to 30% shooting for the game including 24% in the second half.
Baylor had no trouble dispatching Colgate Friday 92-67 as the Bears made 16 three-pointers. The points and the triples were program NCAA Tournament program records. Their season high for made three-pointers is 19 against Mississippi Valey State. They shot 63% in the first half and 57% for the game.
The Bears feature a balanced offense with six players averaging in double-figures ranging from over 14 points per game to just under 11 points per game. They are shooting 49% from the floor, 40% from deep and 74% from the line. The Bears average 81 points per game while holding opponents to 71. They also average six more rebounds per game than their opponents.
One of the concerns for the Bears going into Friday is the health of center Yves Missi. The projected first-round draft pick is dealing with a back injury. He only played 16 minutes in the win over Colgate and scored nine points.
This will be the fourth meeting between the programs with Baylor having won two of the first three. Baylor has been made a 4.5 point favorite.
