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Baylor Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Bears

By Brad Cavallaro

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 24: Manu Lecomte
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 24: Manu Lecomte /
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TULSA, OK – MARCH 17: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears reacts in the second half against the New Mexico State Aggies during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 17, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
TULSA, OK – MARCH 17: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears reacts in the second half against the New Mexico State Aggies during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 17, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

Key Reserves

Nuni Omot

Omot is a lanky combo forward who will be used mostly as a stretch four. The 6’9’’ senior averaged 4.0 ppg and 1.9 rpg last season in a consistent reserve role. Omot should be the first player off the bench and should play over 20 minutes per game this season. As he plays more minutes, he will have to be more consistent. Omot flashed a 3-point jumper, but only shot 31% from that range. However, his 81% free throw shooting suggests that he could improve his outside shooting. Omot is also capable of using his length to finish around the rim and could double his production in his final season in Waco.

Tyson Jolly and Mark Vital

Jolly and Vital both redshirted last season, but they will be relied on for bench production this season. Vital is a 6’5’’ power wing who fits the mold of the quintessential small ball four. He will play at least ten minutes per game this season and should bring top-shelf athleticism and physical play to both forward positions. Jolly is a 6’4’’ wing who should provide some much-needed perimeter shooting off the bench. He has a ton of upside and should be an impact player as an upperclassman, but Baylor needs 15-20 minutes per game from him from the get-go. Jolly and Vital are talented and it will be interesting to see how they perform in their freshman seasons.

Tristan Clark

Clark has turned some heads early on and looks to be the heir to Lual-Acuil and Maston in the frontcourt. The 6’9’’ freshman will be able to get his feet wet this year and learn from the senior frontcourt players while playing around 10 minutes per game. Clark is a very athletic big man who will be able to play both the 4 and the 5 but figures to see most of his time at center this year. He will not be relied upon as much as the freshmen perimeter players (Vital and Jolly) will be, but he does need to be productive in a reserve role.

Leonard Allen

Allen is a JUCO transfer who will provide some frontcourt depth. He is the brother of Jarrett Allen, the former Texas center, who now plays for the Brooklyn Nets. Expect Allen to play sparingly and sporadically depending on injuries and foul trouble.

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