Baylor takes on Grand Canyon in opening round of NCAA Tournament
Grand Canyon Antelopes (32-2, 19-0 WAC) at Baylor Bears (27-7, 17-4 Big 12)
Waco, Texas; Friday, 3:30 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bears -15.5; over/under is 140.5
BOTTOM LINE: No. 14 Baylor squares off against Grand Canyon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Bears have gone 17-4 against Big 12 teams, with a 10-3 record in non-conference play. Baylor leads the Big 12 in rebounding, averaging 36.6 boards. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs leads the Bears with 10.5 rebounds.
The Antelopes' record in WAC action is 19-0. Grand Canyon averages 15.0 turnovers per game and is 29-1 when committing fewer turnovers than opponents.
Baylor averages 7.6 made 3-pointers per game, 2.1 more made shots than the 5.5 per game Grand Canyon gives up. Grand Canyon averages 17.2 more points per game (77.2) than Baylor gives up (60.0).
TOP PERFORMERS: Jada Walker is averaging 11 points, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals for the Bears. Aaronette Vonleh is averaging 16.6 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 50.4% over the last 10 games.
Trinity San Antonio is scoring 15.7 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the Antelopes. Alyssa Durazo-Frescas is averaging 4.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bears: 8-2, averaging 71.4 points, 32.4 rebounds, 15.3 assists, 9.4 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 41.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 62.4 points per game.
Antelopes: 10-0, averaging 75.0 points, 28.8 rebounds, 15.4 assists, 13.1 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 55.9 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Kyler Gordon On His Goal For The Chicago Bears This Season: ‘Beat All Our Rivals'
Kyler Gordon is one of the most underrated cornerbacks in the NFL. He may not be considered a star, he may not be an All-Pro selection on an annual basis, but he has one important distinction -- highest-paid nickel cornerback in NFL history. The 25-year-old cornerback signed a three-year. $40 million contract extension in the offseason, making him the league's highest-paid nickel back in the NFL. "I never even thought of any of that," says Gordon in a one-on-one interview when asked if he ever thought he'd become the highest-paid nickel back. "In my mind, every day was just work as hard as you can and be better than the next day. I never really thought about the outcome until it was really nearby like, 'Oh this is a real thing to happen.' I feel like that's my mindset still now. Just keep being better than the day before. Whatever's supposed to happen is supposed to happen." The former second-round draft pick was actually the first player that general manager Ryan Poles selected and he has not disappointed. Gordon has started 34 of his 42 career games and based upon overall grade (76.0) from Pro Football Focus, ranked 20th among all cornerbacks last season. Along with Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, he rounds out a Bears defensive backfield that actually held opposing NFL offenses to the lowest passing touchdown total of any team in the league last season (20). "Definitely experience," says Gordon on the biggest difference between him now compared to when he was a rookie. "Being able to open up and find different resources to help me actually learn the game, I feel like that was a big step in me taking the next step in my own game, was reaching out further to find places to help with that, whether that be coaches, watching film or other things that I do outside of the facility to help add to that as well. "I think that's the biggest thing between rookie Kyler and now is that I feel like I have a bunch of resources to pull and get information to help me on," Gordon continues to say. "Whether it be my technique or understanding a concept, or getting to know the upcoming opponents that I'm facing." While he may be unheralded, Gordon plays a key role on the defensive unit. He not only has to be versatile, as he's tasked to cover slot wide receivers and tight ends along with being asked to play multiple roles — such as blitzing -- he's also a leader on the field, constantly communicating with fellow teammates in the defensive backfield. "The biggest challenge is being able to do everything in that position," says Gordon. "Not everyone can really play that position, because not everyone can really do everything that position requires, whether that be being a linebacker and being in the box and having a run fit, whether that be blitzing, whether that be being able to have to go play outside at corner, or even having to roll back in playing a safety type rule or position zone drop. While also kind of being a communicator for the defensive backs and the defense and setting up everybody. It's kind of like almost two things in there that makes it a very unique position that's not very common for a lot of people to do." The addition of well-renowned defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will add a new wrinkle to the defense. Allen had stints in a multitude of roles as a defensive coach for the Saints before serving as their head coach for the past three seasons. From 2020 through 2023, New Orleans ranked in the top nine in defense every single year in points allowed. Allen is well-known for his aggressive defensive style and blitz schemes. He's also known for using his star players in a variety of roles, something he did with four-time All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu in New Orleans. Shortly after being introduced as the team's new defensive coordinator, Allen hinted at using Gordon in a versatile role, including at safety. While Gordon missed OTAs due to a soft tissue injury, he says he would "love" to play that role that Allen proposed earlier this offseason. "Definitely," says Gordon when asked if he would love to play that versatile role. "I would just love to add that to my game and be able to say I did that and play it and be able to go make plays in it. I want to be able to do everything. I think it's also a little bit of a challenge. It would be nice for me to not just be playing nickel and get to go play something else. It's also fun for me learning new parts of the game or actually getting to play a new part of the game. Definitely very excited." Along with Allen, the Bears are welcoming offensive mastermind and former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their new head coach. Johnson led the Lions to a top five ranking in points scored in each of the past three seasons, including leading the league in the category during the 2024 season. "Very aggressive, smart and calculated," Gordon describes his new head coach when asked to name his best traits. Chicago will look to turn things around next season in one of the most competitive divisions in football. The NFC North had three teams go to the playoffs last season, including the 15-2 Detroit Lions and 14-3 Minnesota Vikings. The Lions and Vikings had two of the top three records in the NFL last year. While it would appear the Bears have their work cut out for them, it's worth noting that despite being a 5-12 team, they played fairly well against their division rivals last season. Chicago defeated the Green Bay Packers in the season finale -- Jordan Love was injured early in the game -- and lost to them by only one point in their first meeting. They also lost to the Detroit Lions by just a field goal in their first meeting and lost to the Minnesota Vikings by three points in overtime. Gordon mentions beating the Bears' rivals as one of his key team goals for the 2025 season. "As a team this year, first and foremost, beat all our rivals, all of our conference rivals," says Gordon. While the 25-year-old will be looking to lead the Bears to their first winning season since 2018 and their first playoff appearance since 2020, he does keep busy off of the field. The mellow, laid-back Gordon is obviously known for being nicknamed "Spider Man" due to growing up with a background in ballet and done. However, he's showing off his fashion and style on social media as he continues to collaborate with various brands in Europe and the United States. "Just follow my new YouTube page," says Gordon. "I've been posting a lot of stuff, just like blogs and things I've done all my life, especially my fashion career and that side of it. Doing a bunch of stuff, I was collaborating with a bunch of designer brands in Europe and over here. Just getting to bring that to the NFL carpet as well, but then just kind of showing that journey."
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
UNC baseball gets Luke Stevenson replacement with transfer portal commitment
UNC baseball gets Luke Stevenson replacement with transfer portal commitment Can UNC's first baseball transfer portal commitment make an immediate impact in 2026? Georgia State transfer catcher Colin Hynek has committed to North Carolina. In 2025, he hit .230 with 18 HRs and 45 RBIs, leading the team in homers and ranking fourth in RBIs and total bases. He had a .586 SLG, .396 OBP, and 36 walks. — Chris Smith (@chrismithunc) June 7, 2025 The UNC baseball team is extremely lucky to have Luke Stevenson behind the dish, but his time in Chapel Hill is likely coming to an end after the current season. Stevenson, mocked to be a first-round pick in July's MLB Draft, is a do-it-all catcher. Stevenson is the Diamond Heels' top power source, mashing 19 home runs, while he's also a defensive stalwart with only two errors. With Stevenson likely gone in 2026, North Carolina needs an answer at catcher. UNC also carries Liberty transfer Macaddin Dye behind the plate, plus Juco transfer Rom Kellis, but wants to add another option. The Diamond Heels are hoping that their latest roster addition is their answer behind the dish. On Saturday, North Carolina secured a commitment from Georgia State transfer Colin Hynek, who started 105 of the 132 games he played in Atlanta. Like Stevenson, Hynek is also a power threat at the plate, mashing 33 home runs and driving in 91 runs across thre seasons. By coming to Chapel Hill, Hynek will have a significantly better shot at competing for a championship. Georgia State just completed a 26-30 campaign and hasn't made the NCAA Tournament since 2009, while UNC is playing in the Super Regional round for a second-consecutive season. If you're following recent transactions across college baseball, there's plenty of transfers already in the portal, particularly from the Virginia Cavaliers. The Diamond Heels will benefit from adding more starting pitching to their 2026 roster, while more hitting power couldn't hurt. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
New York Post
6 hours ago
- New York Post
Dick Vitale signs contract extension as ESPN announces annual game in his honor
Awesome baby! Dick Vitale, 86, signed a contract extension with ESPN through the 2027-28 season Monday. That was not the only present he received on his birthday. Advertisement ESPN also announced the Dick Vitale Invitational, which will take place in Charlotte, N.C., on Nov. 4, 2025. This year's matchup will feature Duke and Texas. 'ESPN has been such a vital part of my,' Vitale said. 'I was so thrilled to learn that ESPN Events will have an annual Dick Vitale Invitational.' Dick Vitale is pictured in 2021. AP Advertisement The legendary college basketball color commentator has been with ESPN since 1979. During his career, he has coined many legendary catch phrases, including 'it's awesome baby' and 'diaper dandy' for talented freshmen. Unfortunately, those lines have not been heard on the airwaves for quite some time. Vitale announced that he was diagnosed with and underwent surgery for melanoma near his nose om August 2021. Advertisement Just three months later, he was diagnosed with cancer again. This time, his diagnosis was lymphoma. Once again, he was able to claim victory over cancer, announcing he was cancer-free in 2022. Advertisement He was even able to return to television to call ESPN's international broadcast of UConn's 2023 NCAA Tournament championship game victory over San Diego State. Dick Vitale at a press conference in 2021. Getty Images Still, cancer continued to try to get in his way. In July 2023, he was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer. \After radiation treatments, he was advised by doctors to rest his voice, forcing him to miss the 2023-2024 season. Vitale had to fight cancer one more time in June 2024 as cancer was found a lymph node in his neck. But in the end, Vitale defeated it again. Advertisement On X, Vitale said that this was 'my national championship.' Vitale's return to broadcasting happened in February 2025 when he called a regular-season matchup between Duke and Clemson.
