Big 12 Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2021-22 season

Don’t expect too much fall-off with Baylor basketball this season after they turned in the No. 17 recruiting class in the nation, while only counting their freshmen additions but transfer James Akinjo (Arizona) certainly gives them a potential guard to pair alongside Adam Flagler.

Flagler was last year’s top reserve and is their top returning leading scorer after putting up 9.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, and 1.4 apg while shooting 43.4 percent from 3-point land in 2020-21. His length and ability to knock down shots should come in handy as the Bears look to make another run in the NCAA Tournament.

Matthew Mayer is a leading frontcourt name to know that returns after testing the NBA Draft waters. The 6-foot-9 hybrid forward put up 8.1 ppg and 3.7 rpg while knocking down 39.5 percent of his 3-pointers. He’s another player whose production should grow with a bigger role in 2021-22 for Baylor basketball.

Akinjo is certainly a player that can fit in with Scott Drew’s defense-first philosophy given his quickness and strength. He was the Big East Rookie of the Year at Georgetown in 2018-19 and this past season with Arizona, a first-team Pac-12 selection after posting 15.6 ppg, 5.4 apg, 2.3 rpg, and 1.4 spg while knocking down 40.4 percent of his 3-pointers.

While there could be some early growing pains for the Bears, they’ve got the returning experience to stay competitive in the Big 12 basketball landscape. Look for them to remain near the top this year.