Arizona State vs. Baylor Preview
WACO, TX (AP) – Baylor’s LaceDarius Dunn had one of his lowest-scoring games of last season against Arizona State.
Heading into a rematch with the Sun Devils, the senior guard doesn’t appear in line for a repeat of that performance.
In his third game back from suspension, Dunn will try to keep rolling while helping the 11th-ranked Bears stay unbeaten in Thursday night’s Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series matchup.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook SBGGlobal.com have made Baylor –9.5 point spread favorites for Thursday’s game against Arizona State. Current College Basketball Public Betting Information shows that 80% of more than 137 bets for this game have been placed on Baylor -9.5.
Dunn averaged a team-best 19.6 points last season but was held to seven on 3-of-10 shooting Dec. 3 in a 64-61 win over Arizona State. The only time he scored less during that 28-8 campaign were his three points against Jackson State – in 11 fewer minutes.
Dunn enters this matchup having scored at least 20 in five consecutive games, including his first two this season.
He scored 24 points and hit seven 3-pointers in a win over Lipscomb on Nov. 22, his first game since being suspended after a domestic dispute involving his girlfriend in September. Dunn followed with 20 points in 23 minutes during Monday night’s 90-45 rout of Prairie View.
“It just feels good to be out there with the guys and doing the things we love to do,” said Dunn, shooting 57.7 percent from the field. “I think we did a great job of coming out and not underestimating the team, because they were a smart team, but just coming out hard and getting the win.”
Freshman Perry Jones recorded his second double-double with 16 points and a career-high 13 rebounds for Baylor (5-0), which has won 10 straight home games. That’s one shy of its longest win streak at the 22-year-old Ferrell Center, set last season.
The Bears, who won’t play outside of Waco until Dec. 18, now face their first major conference opponent of the season.
Arizona State (3-2) enters this matchup after falling 67-58 to St. John’s in Saturday night’s championship game of the Great Alaska Shootout.
Senior guard Ty Abbott had a season-high 22 points and hit six 3-pointers, but the Sun Devils were outscored 47-28 in the second half.
They gave up most of those points while wilting under a pressure defense.
“A couple of times, guys just took the ball right way from us,” said coach Herb Sendek, whose team committed a season-high 17 turnovers. “In some instances, it wasn’t even a trap. They just took the ball.”
Sendek’s squad could have a tough time improving in that area, facing a Baylor team forcing 19.6 turnovers per game. The Bears also have one of the nation’s best scoring defenses, allowing an average of 54.0 points.
The Sun Devils are scoring 64.2 per game, with only two players averaging in double figures. Trent Lockett averages 18.6 points on 65.5 percent shooting and Abbott adds 11.8 per game.
Arizona State has won seven of its last 15 matchups with ranked opponents after losing 22 in a row.
Beating the Sun Devils in each of the past two seasons has given Baylor a 3-2 lead in the series. Dunn scored a team-leading 27 points off the bench in an 87-78 upset over then-No. 14 Arizona State on Nov. 28, 2008, in Anaheim, Calif.
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