Previewing Baylor's Home Opener -- Game Time, TV Listings, Radio

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23/25 Baylor (1-0) vs. South Carolina (1-0) Nov. 12, 2013 | 2 p.m. CT Waco, Texas | Ferrell Center (10,284) TV: ESPN Radio: ESPN Central Texas

Baylor Radio | Gametracker | Tickets | BU Notes | SC Notes

Team: South Carolina Gamecocks (blog: Garnet and Black Attack)

Date/Time: 11-11/2:00pm CT
Where: Ferrell Center, Waco, Texas
Coach: Frank Martin
Number of returning starters: 4
Key losses: LaShay Page (long story), Eric Smith
Key Returnees: Bruce Ellington, Brenton Williams, Mindaugas Kacinas

We're all familiar with Frank Martin coached teams from his time at Kansas State, and this is easily their best asset coming into the Ferrell Center today. While South Carolina returns star Bruce Ellington, Baylor won't have to deal with him unless for some reason we meet in a bowl game and he's lined up against Phil Bennett's defense. As a multi-sport star, Ellington won't join the basketball team until it's near time for conference play. Mindaugas Kacinas is a poor man's Quincy Acy with perhaps a bit more basketball IQ but less athleticism, and Brenton Williams led the Gamecocks in scoring last year while coming off the bench.

The name you'll probably hear the most today is Tyrone Johnson. Johnson transferred out of Villanova halfway through the season this last year and after being declared eligible the morning of the Gamecocks' first game, promptly led his team with 18 points to start the season with a bang. His matchup with Kenny Chery at the point will be crucial to say the least.

Scott Drew pointed out after our win against Colorado last Friday that we struggled with transition defense, and that might be a huge understatement. Thankfully, this is a relatively easy fix (it's this thing called "hustle back" after a miss or a score) so if this continues to be a problem, it will frustrate Bears' fans to no end.

This should be a good opportunity for us to see what the summer has done for the bears. I wouldn't be surprised to see a deep rotation in this game as I am fairly confident that we'll maintain about a 10 point cushion for most of the game. This means that if you want a look at the newcomers, along with a look at how different units play together - today is your chance.

Baylor is more talented than South Carolina, and in all honesty Baylor can't afford to struggle in this game if Big 12 aspirations truly exist.

Check out your Baylor Bears take on South Carolina today at 2 o'clock central on ESPN.. ITS ABOUT.. TO GO.. DOWN..

— Cory Jefferson (@CoryJay34) November 12, 2013

Check out this Q&A I did with the folks at Garnet And Black Attack and then go check out the inverse of that on their blog, where I answered a few questions about the Bears.

We'll have a game-thread up around 30 minutes before tip, so be sure to join us there (even if you are stuck at work/class/etc.). Until then, consider this your pre-game thread and let me know what you want to see in the comments.