Big 12 Basketball: Breaking down each program’s 2018 recruiting class

Baylor Bears

Class rankings: 8th in Big 12, 69th nationally

Commitments: Matthew Mayer (90), Flo Thamba (240), Darius Allen (JC) and Devonte Bandoo (JC)

After a disappointing season in which they failed to make the NCAA Tournament, the Bears will look completely different in 2018-19. They lose their top four scorers and will go from being one of the most experienced teams in the conference to the complete opposite.

Besides hoping that the bench players excel in expanded roles, Baylor will need their prized recruit Mayer to be an instant impact player. The 6’7 wing is a versatile athlete who can play multiple positions and has a nice shooter stroke. That’s important for a team who was near the 300’s in terms of attempts from deep.

The Bears will have to shoot more now that big man Jo Lual-Acuil has graduated. His future replacement will be Thamba, a 6’9 center who although is raw, has the athleticism to compete in the Big 12. They have a couple of more experience bigs who’ll likely get more playing time to start out with, but over four years Thamba will have an impact when it’s all said and done.

And don’t forget the two Junior College transfers in Allen and Bandoo. Both are shooting guards who can spread the floor and could get minutes based on their fall camp performances.