4. Baylor (7-3)
Scott Drew inherited a mess at Baylor over two decades ago and has created a powerful basketball program. The Bears cut down the nets in 2021, though they haven’t had great postseason success since that national title. Still, Baylor has been in great shape in recent years and still looks like a Big 12 contender and powerful program even after a few early missteps this season.
One thing that’s certain is that the Bears are leaning heavily on some new pieces this season. Former Miami big man Norchad Omier helped lead the Hurricanes to a Final Four two seasons ago is nearly averaging a double-double as Baylor’s most productive player. Freshmen Robert Wright and VJ Edgecombe have each showcased their significant potential while former Duke guard Jeremy Roach is averaging nearly 13 points a game while running the point despite missing time this season.
Opening night saw Baylor lost by 38 points at Gonzaga and this team has spent the last several weeks bouncing back from that shoddy effort. They did beat a tough Arkansas team a few days later and won against St. John’s, though the rest of their wins are largely uninspiring. The defense really struggled in a loss against Tennessee while they later pushed UConn to the limit in a true road game, coming up just short of a major victory in early December.
When on their game, this is an elite offense that can hang with and outscore any team in the nation. The Bears make their shots, both inside and outside the arc, with the long-range shooting much improved since that disaster on opening night. The defense is where these Bears get in trouble and that’ll be a concern moving forward. However, they have raw talent and veteran experience and might have one of the most complete rosters in the Big 12; it’s all about putting it together on a regular basis.