DALLAS — Baylor knows what it has in the frontcourt: A talented mix of long-armed defenders in Isiah Austin and Cory Jefferson paired with two bulky bodies in Rico Gathers and Ish Wainwright, the nation's No. 51 overall recruit in the 2013 recruiting class.
In its first game without Pierre Jackson, a two-time All-Big 12 talent and an honorable mention All-American a year ago, Baylor had a lot to learn about its point guard spot.
It learned plenty in a 72-60 win at the American Airlines Center on Friday over former Big 12 foe Colorado, now a card-carrying Pac-12 member.
Juco All-American (and like Brady Heslip, a fellow Canadian) Kenny Chery earned the start for the Bears and led the team in scoring (14 points), shots (11) and minutes (35).
"I thought Kenny did an outstanding job," Baylor coach Scott Drew said. "Offensively, his numbers were good, but defensively, he was outstanding."
He helped force Colorado guards Askia Booker and Spencer Dinwiddie ("One of the better backcourts in the country for sure," Drew said) into a 7-of-28 night from the field. Colorado shot just 33 percent from the field.
The Buffaloes made an effort to prevent entry passes to Austin and Jefferson on the block, leaving Chery with just four assists, but he turned the ball over just twice in his first Division I game.
"I just need to keep playing, try to be more of a vocal leader, try to get Cory, Isaiah more touches, definitely," Chery said. "Just be a team guy. … For us to be successful, everybody's got to be together."
Chery was the first Bear to hit double digits with 12:50 to play, and three players (Jefferson, Heslip, Taurean Prince) eventually joined him. Two more had at least seven points, showcasing a depth that was badly needed. Like every team in college basketball, new rule changes to allowable contact have led to foul-plagued affairs. Three Bears had four fould and Prince fouled out.
"Every coach, with the rule changes, wants to have more depth rather than less depth this year, especially early on until we can all get acclimated," Drew said.
Gary Franklin bumped the sharpshooter Heslip from the starting lineup, but he drained 4-of-6 threes to score 12 points, one of four Bears in double figures.
He hit threes on consecutive possessions to give Baylor a 56-43 lead with 8:40 to play and added a third to give Baylor a 61-48 lead with 5:14 to play. It was a welcome display after the two teams made just 10 of their first 26 shots and combined for just 13 points in the game's first 9:51.
"I thought both teams were definitely nervous and had their jitters," Drew said. "Early in the year, offenses are always behind defenses."
Chery's adjustment is helped by being surrounded by experienced players like Austin and Jefferson. The 6-foot-9, 220-pound senior logged a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards.
Baylor doesn't have Jackson, but Chery showed promise in his first start, which came of no surprise to Drew after Chery excelled in Baylor's first two scrimmages.
"In his first college game, he did a very good job adapting," Drew said. "He can score. He really can defend. At the same time, he's getting used to having some players around him that probably he hadn't had in the past, meaning talented players who can score if we can get them the ball."
