Big 12 Basketball: Kansas to earn 13th straight conference title?

By Doug Winkey | Oct 5, 2016

Mar 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte' Graham (4) celebrates with teammates after a play against the Villanova Wildcats during the second half of the south regional final of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 16, 2016; Providence , RI, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew speaks to the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Baylor Bears

2015-2016 record: 22-12 (10-8 Big 12) NCAA Tournament 1st round

Key players gone: SF Taurean Prince, PF Rico Gathers, PG Lester Medford

Key returnees: SG Al Freeman, PF Johnathan Motley, PF Terry Maston, SF Ishmail Wainwright, SG King McClure, SG Jake Lindsey

Newcomers: PG Manu Lecomte (5’11”, 175, transfer from Miami [FL]), SG Tyson Jolly (6’3″, 190), SG Wendell Mitchell (6’3″, 180, redshirt 2015-2016), SF Mark Vital (6’6″, 200, 70th ESPN 100), PF Nuni Omot (6’8″, 200, transfer from Indian Hills [IA] Community College), C Jo Acuil (7’0″, 220, redshirt 2015-2016)

Baylor is another odd team coming into the year. They kept some important pieces, but their returnees feel like middle-tier guys at best. I have no doubt the Bears will be a strong competitor, but their ceiling is a mystery.

In the team’s new rotation, Al Freeman, Johnathan Motley, and newcomer Manu Lemonte figure to be the primary options on offense. For support, King McClure, Wendell Mitchell and Mark Vital have tons of potential on the perimeter. Jake Lindsey is also a serviceable backup for Lecomte.

The questions revolve around the assistance that the front court will provide for Motley. Terry Maston and Ishmail Wainwright are decent, but undersized and inconsistent. Jo Acuil is also an enigma, but has the size to be an immediate rim protector.

Baylor has under-achieved the past two seasons. They have suffered two straight narrow losses in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. They now have to figure out how to return to the Big Dance without their best distributor, rebounder, and overall best player. The talent and potential still reside in Waco for an NCAA birth, but the NIT might be more realistic at this point.

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