BAYLOR (4-0) vs. CENTENARY (3-2)
Nov. 24, 2007 • Ferrell Center (Waco, Texas) • 7:00 p.m. CST

RADIO: Baylor-ISP Sports Radio Network (ESPN/KRZI 1660AM Waco / Sirius Satellite ch. 161)
INTERNET AUDIO: live broadcast at BaylorBears.com
TELEVISION: none
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THE GAME
Baylor, fresh off its championship title at the 2007 Paradise Jam, puts its undefeated 4-0 record on the line when it hosts Centenary Saturday, Nov. 24, at the Ferrell Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST. Baylor is 4-0 following a 62-54 win over Winthrop in the Paradise Jam final last Monday and boasts a modest eight-game winning streak over non-conference foes dating back to last season. The Gents are 3-2, most recently dropping a 72-64 decision at Arkansas-Little Rock last Tuesday.

BAYLOR TIP-INS
• Baylor has won 8 straight non-conference games (Bears are 66-21 over last 8 seasons in regular-season, non-league play).
• Baylor's 4-0 start is its best since 2002-03 (last 5-0 start: 2001-02).
• Curtis Jerrells is this week's Big 12 Player of the Week.
• Baylor won the 2007 Paradise Jam, it's first non-hosted tourney title since 1971.
• Baylor is receiving votes in this week's AP poll (first since 2001).
• Baylor is riding a modest three-game winning streak at home in the Ferrell Center.
• Curtis Jerrells has scored in double-digits in 18 straight games (dating to 2006-07).
• Aaron Bruce ranks 13th on BU's all-time scoring list (1,100 career points).
• Through 4 games BU is out-shooting its opponents 46.2-36.6%, including a 43.2-27.8% edge in 3-pointers.
• Guards Curtis Jerrells and Aaron Bruce are shooting 52.2 (12-23) and 50.0 (7-14), respectively, on 3-pointers.
• 9 BU players average 13 minutes or more & only 1 (Jerrells) averages more than 30.
• Three Bears are shooting better than 75% from the line: Bruce 91.7% (11-12), Jerrells 81.8% (18-22) and Rogers 76.9% (10-13).
• Curtis Jerrells boasts a 17-to-7 assist-to-turnover ratio through 4 games.
• 62% (186-301) of Tweety Carter's career points have come from 3-pointers (62).

BEST START SINCE...
Baylor's 4-0 record is its best start under Scott Drew and the school's best start since the 2002-03 squad began 4-0. The last 5-0 start by a Baylor team was 2001-02.

HEAD COACH Scott Drew
Scott Drew, in his fifth season at Baylor in what many have called the most daunting rebuilding project in college basketball history, owns a four-year mark of 40-69 at the school and a career record of 60-80 (six seasons). Drew's 40 wins rank 10th all-time on Baylor's all-time coaching victories list (in ninth place on the list is Carroll Dawson with 42 career victories). Prior to Baylor, Drew spent 10 seasons at Valparaiso, the last as head coach after nine seasons as an assistant to his father Homer. During his decade at Valpo, the Crusaders earned six NCAA Tournament berths, including five straight from 1996-2000. An outstanding recruiter, Drew is responsible for five national Top-20 recruiting classes over the last eight years (No. 17 in 2006, No. 11 in 2005 and No. 10 in 2004 at Baylor; No. 6 in 2001 and No. 13 in 1999 at Valpo). He was named the 1998-99 National Recruiter of the Year by Court Vision.

THE CENTENARY GENTS
Head Coach: Rob Flaska (Michigan Tech, 1982); 17-46, 3 seasons
Series vs. Baylor: BU leads 8-4
Last meeting: BU 76-63, Jan. 2, 2007 in Waco
Streak: BU won 4 straight
Series in Waco: BU leads 7-2
Drew vs. CC: 1-0
Baylor vs. Summit League: 10-5
CENTENARY NOTES: Centenary (3-2) is located in Shreveport, La., and is a member of The Summit League... The school nickname is the Gentlemen, or "Gents"... Centenary is 1-2 on the road this season... The Gents returned three starters from last season's squad that finished 10-21... Centenary is led by junior G Tyrone Hamilton, the top returning scorer in The Summit League and a preseason all-conference pick... Hamilton is averaging 20.8 points and 4.6 rebounds this season... The Gents lost 67-57 at Iowa State on Nov. 10... Bayor defeated Centenary 76-63 last season in Waco.

BEARS CONTINUE MASSIVE REBUILDING PROCESS
The 2007-08 season is head coach Scott Drew's fifth at Baylor as he continues the unprecedented overhaul he began in 2003. After taking over a program decimated by tragedy, player departures, depleted rosters and NCAA restrictions, Drew has recruited a solid foundation of high school players that have earned valuable playing experience and showed steady progress. This year's squad is 4-0 and last season's youthful Bears posted 15 wins (the highest win total at Baylor in six seasons), including three wins in the final six games and the program's first Big 12 Championship victory since 2001.

PARADISE JAM CHAMPS
Baylor is coming off an impressive three-game run at the 2007 Paradise Jam that resulted in the tournament championship. The Bears defeated Wichita State (64-55), Notre Dame (68-64) and Winthrop (62-54) to earn the title at the eighth annual tournament held at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Baylor overcame second-half deficits in both the semis (down 10 to N.D) and the final (down six to Winthrop) to earn the title. Curtis Jerrells was named the tournament MVP after leading the Bears with 17.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game and Aaron Bruce also earned a spot on the all-tournament team. The title marked Baylor's first in-season tournament championship (excluding the Baylor-hosted Dr Pepper Invitational) since winning the 1971 Holiday Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. (last eight-team tournament title was the 1968 East Carolina Classic in Greenville, N.C.).

BAYLOR vs. NON-CONFERENCE FOES
Baylor has won eight straight regular-season, non-league games and boasts a 66-21 record over the last eight seasons in non-conference play.

JERRELLS BIG 12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior G Curtis Jerrells was selected the Big 12 Player of the Week last Monday. The award was the first earned by a Baylor player since Lawrence Roberts was so honored in 2003, and the eighth P.O.W. honor by a Bear all-time. Jerrells was honored after leading Baylor to wins over Wichita State and Notre Dame at the Paradise Jam tournament. He averaged 20.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in the two victories and shot 54 percent from the 3-point line and 92 percent from the free throw line. He led Baylor with 17 points in the win over Notre Dame, and his 3-pointer with 3:15 in the game gave the Bears their first lead of the night.

DRAMATIC DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS
Four games into the season, one early indicator of Baylor's success this season over years past appears to be some marked defensive improvements. A statistical look at opponent's shooting percentages and scoring defense indicate that the Bears have dramatically improved defensively. Baylor is holding opponents to a 36.6 shooting percentage from the field [fourth in Big 12], a 27.8 shooting percentage from the 3-point arc [second in Big 12] and to 62.2 points per game. Both shooting percentages are lower than the school records (field goal percentage researchable through 1958-59) and the points allowed is the lowest since 1985-86 (61.2).

BAYLOR'S BACKCOURT: "IN GUARDS WE TRUST"
Baylor's strength in 2007-08 once again lies in its talented backcourt. The Bears utilize a rotation of five guards that each average 20-plus minutes per game. The quintet is made up of four returnees; senior Aaron Bruce (10.0 ppg, 23.3 mpg), juniors Curtis Jerrells (16.0 ppg, 31.3 mpg) and Henry Dugat (6.3 ppg, 20.8 mpg) and sophomore Tweety Carter (8.0 ppg, 22.3 mpg); and heralded true freshman LaceDarius Dunn (11.3 ppg, 22.8 mpg). The fivesome combine to average 51.5 points and 18.5 rebounds per game and shoot 42.5 percent on 3-pointers.

"OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES"
Baylor received votes in this week's Associated Press poll (two votes, tied for 50th), the school's first votes in the media poll since January 2001. The Bears received votes in this season's preseason ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll, but didn't get votes in either subsequent poll. The last time Baylor was ranked in the Associated Press poll was February 1969.

ESTABLISHING A HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE
The Bears are quietly establishing a winning tradition at home in the Ferrell Center. Baylor is 18-5 in its last 23 games in Waco (dating to the 2005-06 season) and the Bears have won three straight.

JERRELLS POWERS BEARS WITH HOT HAND
Curtis Jerrells is leading the Bears in scoring (16.0 ppg, sixth in Big 12), assists (4.3 apg, fifth in Big 12) and minutes (31.3 mpg) for the third straight season. Jerrells also leads the team in rebounds per game (6.3) and 3-point shooting (52.2%). The junior guard has started all 52 career games since arriving at Baylor, and is the reigning Big 12 Player of the Week and recently took home tournament MVP honors after leading Baylor to the championship of the 2007 Paradise Jam. Jerrells boasts streaks of 17 games of double-digit scoring and 15 games with a 3-point field goal (dating back to last season). Jerrells is a preseason Cousy Award candidate and projected a preseason All-Big 12 selection by the league coaches, Athlon and Lindy's.

VETERAN LEADER BRUCE CLIMBING BAYLOR SCORING LIST
Senior Aaron Bruce is averaging 10.0 points through four games and continues his climb up the school's career scoring list. Bruce, Baylor's veteran-most player with 78 career games played, currently stands 13th all-time with 1,100 career points. He is currently shooting 91.7 percent (11-12) from the line, tops in the Big 12 Conference. The guard was selected a preseason All-Rolls Royce (All-American) fourth team selection by ESPN.com's Dick Vitale and was named the Big 12's "Best Leader" by the Sporting News preseason publication prior to his final season in Waco. Bruce's 40.2 career 3-point percentage ranks third in school history and his 82.2 career free throw percentage ranks fifth all-time.

MR. ROGERS TRYING TO BUILD ON BREAKOUT SOPHOMORE SEASON
Junior forward Kevin Rogers is averaging 10.0 points and 5.8 rebounds through four games this season. He recorded a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double in the season-opening victory over Jackson State. He leads the team with three blocks. During his breakout sophomore season in 2006-07, Rogers doubled his scoring average and recorded five double-doubles.

HERALDED FRESHMAN DUNN MAKING IMMEDIATE IMPACT
True freshman G LaceDarius Dunn of Monroe, La., is second on the team in scoring (11.3 ppg) and third in rebounds (5.3 rpg) four games into his collegiate career. Dunn is the highest-rated Baylor signee in recent memory (rated the nation's No. 24 recruit by Scout.com). He was named the "Best Perimeter Scorer" among incoming Big 12 newcomers by Rivals.com. He is a three-time all-state player and two-time class MVP in Louisiana who led Excelsior Christian School to a 118-9 record and one state championship over his final three prep seasons. Dunn was rated the nation's No. 6 shooting guard prospect by Scout.com and the nation's No. 8 wing guard by Hoopmasters.com.

MILESTONES & RECORDS WATCH
• Aaron Bruce is 4 points shy of moving into 12th place & 20 shy of 11th place (1,100, William Chatmon No. 12 with 1,104 & Larry Gatewood No. 11 with 1,120) on Baylor's career scoring list.
• Henry Dugat is 3 points shy of reaching the 500 career points plateau (497).
• Scott Drew is 2 coaching wins shy of moving into 9th place (40, Carroll Dawson No. 9 with 42) on Baylor's career coaching victories list.

`THE MAYOR' OUT 6-8 WEEKS REHABBING ANKLE
Mamadou Diene, a seven-foot junior from Senegal, underwent a procedure Nov. 25, to repair a chronic stress fracture in his ankle and was projected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks. Diene has started all 43 games played in his two-year career and has recorded 22 multi-block games. He averaged 4.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 26 games last season as a sophomore (missed a total of five games due to injury). Diene is the Big 12's active leader in career blocks with 79. Diene led the Big 12 in blocks as a freshman, averaging 2.21 in 2005-06, and his 1.88 career figure is second all-time at Baylor behind only current Phoenix Suns Brian Skinner's 3.36 average (1994-98). Diene is referred to as "The Mayor" due to his huge popularity across campus.

THE LAST MEETING: BAYLOR 76 - CENTENARY 63 [Jan. 2, 2007]
Curtis Jerrells and Tweety Carter scored 14 points each to lead Baylor to a 76-63 win over Centenary at the Ferrell Center. Alexander Starr's free throw with 14:23 left had given Centenary its final lead at 41-38. Carter answered with back-to-back 3-pointers, giving Baylor a 44-41 lead it never relinquished. Nick Stallings' jumper cut the Baylor lead to 46-45 with just under 12 minutes remaining. But the Bears went on a 14-3 run and extended their margin to 60-48 with just under eight minutes left to play. The Bears dominated the smaller Gents on the boards, outrebounding Centenary 42 to 25. Tim Bush rebounded a missed free throw by Patrick Fields and laid it in at the buzzer, giving Baylor a 30-25 halftime lead. Fields scored 10 points for the Bears, while Bush scored eight points and had a season-high 10 rebounds. Jerrells totaled a career-best eight assists.

LAST TIME OUT: BAYLOR 62 - WINTHROP 54 [PARADISE JAM CHAMPIONSHIP]
Baylor rallied from a nine-point first-half deficit to beat Winthrop 62-54 in the championship game of the Paradise Jam at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center. Curtis Jerrells scored nine of his 13 points in the second half and was named the tournament MVP for his superb play. Jerrells and LaceDarius Dunn combined for 20 second-half points and the Bears shot 52.2 percent from the field in the half while holding Winthrop to 33.3 percent. Baylor fought back and took the lead for good when Dunn drove for a basket for a 48-46 edge with 6:50 remaining in the game. After Antwon Harris answered with an outside shot for Winthrop, Tweety Carter hit a 3-pointer to give Baylor a 53-48 lead with 3:59 left. Jerrells sealed the win with a long 3-pointer with 37.7 seconds to go to push the lead to 57.48. Aaron Bruce, who joined Jerrells on the all-tournament team, hit four free throws in the last 13 seconds to complete the win. Dunn came off the bench to lead all scorers with 17 points and added five rebounds. Kevin Rogers had 11 points and five rebounds despite foul trouble. After falling behind by six early in the first half, Winthrop used a 19-4 run to take a 21-12 lead with 7 minutes, 32 seconds left in the half. But in the final six minutes, Baylor forced three steals to cut the deficit to 28-24 at halftime.

FERRELL CENTER'S 20th YEAR
The Bears are in their 20th season in the beautiful Ferrell Center this year. Baylor is 1-0 at home in 2007-08 and owns a 168-118 all-time record in the arena, which opened in November 1988. The Ferrell Center is a golden-domed structure that seats 10,284 for basketball games.

MOST EXPERIENCED BEAR SQUAD IN YEARS
For the first time in years, Baylor took the court in 2007-08 with a predominantly upperclassman, experienced team. After several seasons of young, inexperienced teams, the Bears returned nine lettermen, including seven lettermen with multiple letters. The roster includes two seniors, five juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen. Veteran Aaron Bruce is the just the fourth four-year senior to play at BU in the last eight seasons. Baylor's '07-08 returnees entered the season with a combined 246 career starts under their collective belts, the highest such number at the school in over a decade.

BEARS RETURN HIGH PRODUCTION NUMBERS
Baylor in 2007-08 returned all five starters, nine of 12 roster players and nearly all of its statistical production. The Bears return 90.6 percent of last season's points, 86.9 percent of rebounds and 94.5 percent of assists.

EARLY 2009 SIGNEES
Baylor signed two players in the early signing period, Anthony Jones of Houston (Texas) Yates High School and Russian Artem Valov of Three Rivers Community College. Jones, a senior at Yates, is rated 46th nationally by Rivals.com and is a consensus top-70 recruit. He is rated No. 51 by Hoopmasters.com and No. 62 by Scout.com. Jones averaged 14 points and 12 rebounds last season as a junior for a Yates squad that finished 25-8 in 2006-07. A 6-10 forward, Jones is rated No. 8 among the nation's forwards by Rivals.com and ranked as the fourth-best recruit in the state by TexasHoops.com. Valov is a junior college sophomore who was recently named a preseason NJCAA first-team All-American. He is rated the No. 12 junior college recruit nationally by Rivals.com's JucoJunction.com. The 6-10 forward helped lead Three Rivers to a 26-11 record and into the second round of the NJCAA tournament. Valov was named to the 2007 NJCAA All-Tournament team. Valov finished his freshman season with averages of 14.0 points and 7.2 rebounds.

NEXT UP...
Baylor plays host to ninth-ranked Washington State, Friday, Nov. 30, as part of the new Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series. The game is scheduled to tipoff at 8 p.m. CST at the Ferrell Center and will be televised live nationally on ESPNU.