Michael Rataj

ANALYSIS
Sunday marked a better performance for Rataj, who shot just 1-for-6 from the floor and 2-for-6 from the line in his debut last Monday. The 6-foot-8 forward was brought into the fold after a breakout 2024-25 season with Oregon State in which he averaged 16.9 points and 7.2 boards across 32.3 minutes. He'll be relied upon to provide a much-needed front court presence for a revamped, guard-heavy Baylor squad that turned over its entire roster in the offseason and is undermanned down low, especially as they start the season without starting center Juslin Bodo Bodo.