NCAA Basketball: Top 25 preseason power rankings for 2021-22 season

Thanks to the rule of players getting an extra year of eligibility, many teams didn’t lose much talent on their respective rosters. However, the reigning national champion Baylor Bears can’t say that, as four starters left and having quality seasons. That includes the guard trio of MaCio Teague, Davion Mitchell, and Jared Butler, as well as Mark Vital from inside.

So the fact that Baylor still managed a top-10 spot shows that head coach Scott Drew is finally getting the respect he deserves. The team also has a few returning players that are capable of starring now that they’re in bigger roles.

Matthew Mayer averaged 8.1 ppg off the bench and is one of the best stretch forwards in the country, while Adam Flagler nearly averaged double figures last season despite being the fourth guard in the rotation. Both players will be focal points in the offense, along with five-star freshman wing Kendall Brown. Four-star freshmen Jeremy Sochan and Langston Love will have roles in the rotation, as will big men Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua and Flo Thamba.

The key for Baylor will be the point guard production. They landed a transfer from Arizona in James Akinjo, who averaged 15.6 ppg and 5.4 rpg. Between his time with the Wildcats and at Georgetown, the 6’1 point guard has always been able to put up stats but the wins haven’t been able to follow. We’ll see if the Bears system puts him in a spot to succeed, with former D-II star Dane Bonner backing him up.

The Bears could be overvalued a bit after last season but the coaching staff deserves the benefit of the doubt that this new group will be very good as well. And if Mayer and Flagler can break out, this team could win the Big 12 once again.