Players Era: 3 Things About Baylor That San Diego State Should Know About

As San Diego State gears up to take on the Baylor Bears on Wednesday at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. The Bears earned their opening victory over Creighton this Monday but got handled by a St.Johns team that put up 96 points on their defense.

Nevetheless, Baylor is a Big12 caliber team, and not a program the Aztecs have faced very often in their history. Baylor’s fast-paced style make them a tricky challenge — and these three elements could well determine the outcome.

Here are three major factors the Aztecs will want to keep a close eye on.

All Out Attack

First and perhaps most important is Baylor’s balanced and deep offensive firepower this season. The Bears return a roster with several players capable of putting up double-digit scoring nights.

Guard depth, including guys who can shoot from deep, attack the rim, or create opportunities for others, gives Baylor flexibility and makes it difficult for any defense to key in on just one threat. In this short season so far, they have an average of 83 points per contest.

As a result, the Aztecs cannot afford to relax coverage; mis-matched defenders or lapses in rotation packages could allow multiple scorers to get hot.

Battle of the Boards

Second, Baylor’s rebounding and control of the glass, especially offensive boards, has become a signature strength, and could be a decisive edge. In their recent win over Creighton, Baylor dominated the glass, out-rebounding them 45–28 and securing 22 offensive boards.

Those extra possessions translated into critical second-chance points, giving the Bears a cushion even when their shot wasn’t falling perfectly. San Diego State will need to box out hard and win the physical battle on the boards to avoid giving Baylor extra opportunities inside or on putbacks.

Tuesday night saw the Aztecs shoot a blistering 67% from the field and they also did out-rebound Oregon34-26

X-Factors

Third, Baylor’s roster adds x-factors that SDSU likely hasn’t prepared for and may catch their defense off guard. On paper, newcomers like freshman guard Tounde Yessoufou have drawn attention as high-upside prospects, capable of scoring, creating momentum, or stretching the floor.

With a mix of experienced returners and fresh talent, Baylor’s rotations may present mismatches or moments of disruption, especially if the Aztecs underestimate the newcomers.

If San Diego State wants to walk away from Vegas with another win, they’ll need to stay disciplined on defense, fight for every rebound, and guard against Baylor’s balanced attack—even the names they haven’t heard much from yet. The Bears’ depth and versatility make them dangerous, and the Aztecs will have to bring their A-game on all fronts to stop them.