Starting lineup
Manu Lecomte
Lecomte had a terrific first season with Baylor where he averaged 12.2 ppg and 3.8 apg. He started his career at Miami and transferred after two solid seasons with the Hurricanes. Lecomte is an excellent 3-point shooter (40.8% on 71 makes), but he also has an assortment of runners and floaters in his repertoire to keep the defense off balance. Expect the 5’11’’ PG to take on an even bigger role this season since starters Al Freeman, Ish Wainwright, and Jon Motley are no longer with the program. Lecomte will shoulder a sizable offense role and could lead the Bears in both scoring and assists.
Jake Lindsey
Lindsey is a terrific glue guy who is extremely underrated nationally. The 6’5’’ guard earned significant minutes as a sophomore (22.6 mpg) and should break into the starting lineup this season. While Lindsey is not an aggressive scorer (4.7 ppg), he has immense value as a multi-positional player. He is a strong defender who can guard all three perimeter positions and can also serve as a secondary distributor on offense. Lindsey averaged 3.1 apg to only 1.1 turnovers per game, which shows how effective he is at taking care of the ball. Coach Drew will have an awfully hard time keeping Lindsey on the bench this season. Expect the junior to earn more recognition as an elite glue guy.
King McClure
McClure is a physical guard who should appear on everyone’s breakout player lists. He has played a key role as a scoring threat off the bench during his first two seasons, but he is now poised to earn a starting position. The 6’3’’ junior averaged 5 ppg in 14.3 mpg last season, but expect his production and playing time to, at least, double. Baylor will rely heavily on McClure to be a scoring threat on the wing and, now that he has an expanded role, he should deliver.
Terry Maston
Maston is another example of a Baylor player who will crack the starting lineup this season after waiting his turn for multiple years. He barely played as a freshman, but as a sophomore and junior, he established himself as a key bench piece. Maston averaged 7.1 ppg and 3.8 rpg last season and will have many more scoring opportunities now that Motley is off to the NBA.
The 6’8″ senior is not a threat from beyond the arc but excels with his mid-range face-up jump shot. His 82% free throw shooting is remarkable for any player, let alone a big man, and suggests that he could extend his range in the future. Maston has waited three years to earn a starting role, and you can expect him to make the most of his opportunity.
Jo Lual-Acuil
Lual-Acuil is one of the most underrated players in the country and serves as an imposing rim protector for the Bears. The 7’0″ senior averaged 2.5 bpg and anchored a tremendous Baylor defense (16th in Kenpom). He averaged 9.1 ppg and 6.7 rpg last season.
However, what makes Lual-Acuil so interesting is his floor spacing potential. Lual-Acuil made eight 3-pointers last season and is very mobile and coordinated for a player his size. This allows him to put the ball on the floor for straight line drives to the basket. If Lual-Acuil can develop more consistent perimeter shooting, he will get a long look from NBA teams.