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NCAA Basketball: Ranking the most thrilling teams to watch in the country

By Carmine Carcieri

Dec 14, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) looks on in the second half against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 102-62. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) looks on in the second half against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 102-62. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 20, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Baylor Bears forward Jonathan Motley (5) dunks against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Baylor won 78-64. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Baylor Bears forward Jonathan Motley (5) dunks against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Baylor won 78-64. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Baylor Bears

Long, athletic, tough, balanced.

The Bears block shots, finish with authority at the rim and in transition, play quality defense that doesn’t overshadow their strength in the front court and move the ball like they’ve been playing together for years.

Yes, that’s the 2016-17 Baylor Bears; a team that wasn’t ranked in the top 25 to begin the season, and has now shot themselves into the top five of the AP Poll.

Johnathan Motley had a breakout tournament in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas and is in the midst of a breakout season in general. Jo Lual Acuil Jr. is one of the best shot blockers in all of college basketball.

And even the guards, Manu Lecomte, Al Freeman and Ish Wainwright are fun to watch. Lecomte can knock down threes consistently and make plays for his teammates, while Freeman can play in transition and in the halfcourt. Even Wainwright’s “dirty work” is fun to watch.

And what makes games more exciting than 2nd half comebacks? The Bears played three games in the Bahamas against quality opponents, VCU, Michigan State and Louisville. They won all three match-ups, but made their late push in the second half. They beat the Rams after trailing by eight at the half, crushed Michigan State in the paint in the final 20 minutes to pull away from Tom Izzo and company, and rallied down as many as 22 points in the championship against Louisville.

Count me in. I’ll watch any Baylor game.

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