NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2023-24 season

Feb 4, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer (right) talks to center Kyle Filipowski(30) during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 63-57. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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NCAA Basketball Baylor Bears forward Jalen Bridges Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Baylor Bears

2022-23 season record: 23-11 (11-7 Big 12)

Backcourt play is as important as ever in NCAA Basketball, with the Baylor national title squad from a couple of years ago being a great example. However, despite the Bears having three 15+ ppg scoring guards last season, by all accounts, they underachieved compared to expectations.

But did Baylor upgrade its backcourt? All three key guards (Keyonte George, Adam Flagler, and LJ Cryer) have left. Replacing them are a pair of transfer guards in Jayden Nunn and Rayj Dennis. Nunn averaged 9.3 ppg on a slow-paced VCU squad, shooting 40% from three-point range. Dennis averaged 19.5 ppg and 5.8 apg as a senior at Toledo, earning MAC Player of the Year honors.

5-star freshman shooting guard Ja’Kobe Walter is likely to start and could have the same kind of first-year impact as George did the year prior. And Finnish freshman point guard Miro Little, along with sophomore guard Langston Love, gives Baylor more perimeter depth than they’ve had before.

The Bears will need more from its frontcourt this time around. Jalen Bridges is the top returning player on the roster and center Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua should be 100% healthy after missing half of last season with an injury. Caleb Lohner and five-star reclassed forward Yves Missi gives them some frontcourt depth inside. They’ll need Bridges and one of the guards to become a star for Baylor to compete for a Big 12 title but don’t underestimate Coach Scott Drew to make it work.

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