Big 12 Basketball: 5 biggest questions heading into 2021-22 season

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 02: Guard Mike Miles #1 of the TCU Horned Frogs handles the ball during the first half of the college basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena on March 02, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

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Big 12 Basketball Baylor Bears Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Questions that were circling at the end of the national championship game, become many different questions as August is nearing. Who will compete with Baylor in Big 12 Basketball next year, alongside head coaching changes and vacancies that popped up.

With how full the transfer portal became, it was looking more likely for the conference to add some firepower, and it lived up to expectations.

Here’s a look at five of the biggest questions heading into the 2021-2022 season. Including a national champion reload, new coaches, and a contender for Big 12 Player of the Year.

How will Baylor respond with its guard trio going pro?

The Bears will be looking to re-load, after the best season in program history. Guard Davion Mitchell is a lock for the lottery, while fellow guard Jared Butler was recently cleared for the NBA and should be a first-round pick.

The final guard of the trio, MaCio Teague is expected to continue his career professionally, alongside Mark Vital, who has worked with a few NBA teams up to this point.

The talent in Waco should not decline. Arizona guard James Akinjo brings an immediate impact scorer, after cashing in on over 15 points per game last season. Baylor brings in their best-recruiting class since 2012, headlined by five-star forward Kendall Brown.

Both Brown and Akinjo should start, with returning Adam Flagler and Matthew Mayer bringing experience. Although Flo Thamba started all of last season, this year’s starting lineup will look much more different and might favor Jonathan Tchamwa-Tchatchoua playing the five.

The bench has depth as well, with LJ Cryer returning after 3.4 points on 36% from beyond the arc. Top-40 recruit Langston Love should get some run, while forwards Zach Loveday and Dain Dainja should have a shot at consistent minutes as well, two former Top 100 recruits.

The Bears are going to play differently, with less shooting ability and more freakish talent. That should not take away from the ceiling of the bears, as Scott Drew has proven he can do more with less.

Baylor is a consensus top-10 team in college basketball and has a strong case for another deep run in the NCAA Tournament. How Baylor deals with the losses and team chemistry will be a factor between another Final Four appearance or a hangover of a season.

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