Baylor star expected to play against Texas Tech following extended absence

LJ Cryer has warmed up and is expected to play for No. 7 Baylor Wednesday night against No. 11 Texas Tech after missing last five games with foot injury, according to Baylor’s radio broadcast.

Cryer hasn’t played at all in February due to his injury. His last appearance came against Kansas State on Jan. 25 where the Bears handled the Wildcats 74-49. Cryer logged 14 points, four assists and six turnovers in 28 minutes on the floor.

Without Cryer on the floor, the Bears have gone 3-2 in their last five after starting the season 18-2. The 6-foot-1 sophomore averaged 13.9 points per game on a 47.8 percent clip this season, which leads Baylor this season.

Cryer makes his comeback one game after Baylor forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua suffered multiple torn ligaments in his leg during last Saturday’s 17-point blowout of the Texas Longhorns. He was running up the court before he lost his balance, coming down awkwardly on his left knee. His knee bended in an awkward direction, and he remained on the floor for a while in obvious pain. Trainers and teammates eventually had to help Tchamwa Tchatchoua off of the court, and he immediately went to Baylor’s locker room.

After suffering a humiliating 83-59 loss to Kansas on Feb. 5, Baylor has bounced back with two straight big wins over Kansas State and Texas and is sitting at 21-4 overall with a 9-3 mark in Big 12 play heading into Wednesday night’s showdown with Texas Tech. 

In the Bears’ last outing, a 80-63 victory over Texas, they shot 50% from the field, outrebounded the Longhorns by 10 and were led by Adam Flagler – who scored 20 points while knocking down four 3-pointers. Alongside Flagler, Baylor’s entire starting five scored in double figures.

Although it suffered a 70-55 loss at Oklahoma last Wednesday, Texas Tech has won four of its last five games and heads into its crucial matchup with Baylor fresh off a 82-69 win over TCU on Saturday. The Red Raiders played nearly flawless against the Horned Frogs – shooting 53.8% from the field and 55.6% from 3-point range while forcing TCU into 20 turnovers. 

Terrence Shannon Jr. led the way for Texas Tech with 20 points off the bench, while Bryson Williams scored 16 points and Davion Warren added 12.

Tune in to ESPN2 right now to watch the ranked conference showdown between the Bears and Red Raiders for Cryer’s comeback.