Baylor has a high-profile point guard coming in for next season. But injury concerns have made him a liability, rather than an asset.
The 2017-18 season for the University of Baylor was a disappointment. Despite having seniors leading the way, the Bears were unable to make the NCAA Tournament. They got into a bad situation with a 2-7 start in the Big 12. And even though Scott Drew’s team made a late-season run, it turned out to be too big a hole to get out of.
After losing to Mississippi State in the NIT, the Bears are starting a new era. The team loses their top four scorers to graduation, including Manu Lecomte, who led the team with 16.2 ppg and 3.7 apg. Replacing him will be a big task, but the coaching staff was already prepared.
After missing an entire season with a foot injury, Ivy League Player of the Year point guard Makai Mason had just one season left with Yale. Because of the scholarship rules in the Ivy League, Mason would have to go elsewhere for his final year of eligibility. After a number of power conference programs went for him, Mason picked Baylor, knowing that Lecomte would be gone.
The 2017-18 season was supposed to be huge for the Yale star, but unfortunately for him, another injury held him out for all but one game. That means that he wouldn’t have played more than one game in nearly 1000 days when he goes to Waco.
Baylor has four recruits coming in, all who play a different position than point guard. Currently, Mason is the only true ball handler for the Bears for next season. Question is, will he be the same guy that ironically led Yale to a first-round NCAA Tournament win over Baylor? His feet have gone through surgery, and the guards in the Big 12 can be unforgivable with penetration.
I don’t think that’s something they should risk, with a whole new batch of transfers for the upcoming off-season. A number of point guards will be available, and Baylor has to grab one, at least for emergency purposes. Even if Mason is healthy, he’s a good enough shooter that he can play off-ball if need be.
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Baylor has enough talent remaining and coming in that a push for the Big Dance is possible. But if something once again happens to Mason, those hopes are all but dead. That’s why Baylor needs a plan B, just in case.