Big 12 Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2021-22 season
By Andrew Tineo
2. Baylor Bears
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: James Akinjo
SG: Adam Flagler
SF: Matthew Mayer
PF: Kendall Brown
C: Johnathon Tchamwa Tchatchoua
Should the cards play out during the rest of the off-season, Baylor remains loaded heading into the 2021-2022 season. Everyone from the bench returns, with a few players’ roles being enhanced from last year’s national championship roster.
The Bears bring in five-star Kendall Brown, alongside high four-star Langston Love, who should receive significant playing time off the bench. What separates this team from Sweet 16 to a Final Four contender is the addition of Arizona guard James Akinjo.
Akinjo was First Team All-Pac 12 this past year, alongside Big East Freshman of the Year, during his two-year stint with the Georgetown Hoyas. Akinjo averaged 15.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, with a near 41% shot from beyond the arc.
Baylor should be tested during the non-conference slate, with the normal Big 12-SEC Challenge, a neutral court matchup with Gonzaga, and participating in the Battle 4 Atlantis.
The pre-season tournament this year, includes the likes of Michigan State, Syracuse, Auburn, UConn, and Loyola Chicago.
The cohesiveness of the Bears will not be as good as last year’s. However, the talent is certainly still there and there should be high expectations for these Bears.
Repeating as Big 12 Champions is not out of the question. If the Bears’ chemistry becomes an issue, it can falter and Baylor becomes a 5-6 seed, heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Regular Season Record: 26-5 (14-4)