Entirely-new Memphis, Baylor teams out to show progress in clash

Baylor and host Memphis will look to build on recent successes and continue to come together as new teams when they square off on Saturday.The Bears and Tigers are two of the nation’s three high-major programs (Miami is the other) that retained zero players from last season.Yet, while analytic studies suggest that roster continuity is crucial for success, Baylor (6-1) and Memphis (3-4) both appear to be on the right path.The Bears prepared for their first true road game of the season with a 110-88 home win over Sacramento State on Tuesday. Freshman star Tounde Yessoufou scored a career-high 27 points to lead Baylor to its win — the Bears’ second straight — while Cameron Carr added 25 points and Michael Rataj (18 points, 10 rebounds) and Dan Skillings Jr. (12 points, 14 rebounds) amassed double-doubles.Baylor turned a five-point halftime lead to an 83-63 advantage with nine minutes to play. The Bears outscored Sacramento State 60-26 in the paint while also producing their highest point total since 2022.Yessoufou is projected as an NBA lottery pick in the next draft, but understands he has to continue to improve.”I ain’t gonna lie, it’s been tough a little bit,” said Yessoufou, who hit just 23 of 65 shots (35.4%) from the field in the five games prior to his Sacramento State breakout.”But I just feel like my teammates and my coaches keep pouring into me and (I need to) just let the game come into me, that’s the biggest adjustment.”

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