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Big 12 Basketball: Baylor’s shocking rise, Texas Tech’s missed opportunity

By Tristan Freeman

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) /
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LUBBOCK, TX – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears talks to his players at a time out during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on December 29, 2017 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 77-53. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears talks to his players at a time out during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on December 29, 2017 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 77-53. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

1. Where did Baylor come from?

After a loss to Stephen F. Austin at home in mid-December, Baylor was essentially left for dead by neutral observers for the rest of the season. There was already the season-opener to defeat to Texas Southern at home, as well as getting beat by the rebuilding Wichita State.

Then right as the Bears started to gain momentum in conference play, they suffered a huge loss for the season with the injury to Tristan Clark. The sophomore forward averaged 14.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg and was just one of two players to average over double figures.

But head coach Scott Drew has done arguably the best coaching job of his tenure with this program. The Bears have won six straight games, including against Texas Tech, and Alabama. Baylor’s defense is ranked in the top-25 nationally but the offense has picked up as well in league play, scoring 73+ in each of the last six wins.

They’re led by Yale grad transfer point guard Makai Mason, who averages over 16 ppg on the season. He’s coming off a career-high 40 points in the last game versus TCU on 9/12 from three-point range. Freshman guard Jared Butler has played well this year, while sophomores Mario Kegler and Mark Vital have done their best to replace the lost production of Clark.

The Bears have gone from afterthought to completely in the NCAA Tournament at the moment. They have Texas, Kansas State, and Oklahoma next, games that they’ll be favored to win now. It’s been a great comeback story for Mason himself, going from playing one total game in two full years to now a top contender for Big 12 Player of the Year.

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