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Big 12 Basketball: Texas Tech only Big 12 team to make the Sweet 16

By Chris Kern

TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 24: Kyler Edwards #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates his three pointer against the Buffalo Bulls in front of his bench during the second half of the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 24: Kyler Edwards #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates his three pointer against the Buffalo Bulls in front of his bench during the second half of the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 23: Mark Vital #11 of the Baylor Bears reacts to a play against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 23: Mark Vital #11 of the Baylor Bears reacts to a play against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The Future Is Bright In Waco

The Baylor Bears had a very successful season when you consider the preseason expectations they had. They were very impressive throughout the majority of Big 12 play and then even topped it off with an NCAA Tournament win. The loss to Gonzaga shows they have a lot to improve upon, but the future is bright in Waco.

They do lose two key players to graduation in Makai Mason and King McClure, but they bring back a good group of players that could turn this team into a top 25 team in the country next season. They will get back Tristan Clark from injury and he could possibly be the best player on the team next season.

Jared Butler and Mark Vital are two guys who had impressive seasons and could become top-tier players in the Big 12. Those two guys will lead the key returning players and with Scott Drew running the show you can always count on him to get his team playing at their best.

Mark Vital had five offensive boards in this game that were extremely crucial in the game against Gonzaga. He established himself as a dominant force inside, expect him to be an all-conference type of player next season. Jared Butler also really shined at the point guard spot and he is just a freshman, if he’s at Baylor the next four years, he could develop into one of the better point guards in all of college basketball.

They also have a good group around those two with Mario Kegler, Freddie Gilespie, and Devonte Bandoo all expected to return. They played without Mason and McClure for multiple games this season so they will know what they need to do to be successful. Their only current recruit is three-star point guard Jordan Turner. He could play some, but he likely won’t have a big impact his freshman season.

Baylor made a good jump this season and if they keep this up going forward they could develop into one of the top teams in the Big 12 over the next year or two. The end of a season is always disappointing, but this team will be right back in this spot next season, very likely as a higher seed.

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