10 surprise teams primed to steal the NCAA Tournament

The Baylor Bears have plenty of firepower and are built just like Scott Drew likes, with a group of versatile guards, but the only question is, can they get a stop? It’s a big and burning question heading into the NCAA Tournament and could cost Baylor a chance of playing for the Big 12 Tournament title. 

Baylor is ninth in offensive efficiency behind freshman Ja’Kobe Walter and Toledo transfer, RayJ Dennis, both averaging over 13 points a game. Dennis is also up to 6.7 assists per game to lead the Big 12. The Bears even get a nice scoring punch from 6-foot-9 senior wing Jalen Bridges who is shooting 41.8% from behind the arc. 

However, the Bears are 167th in defensive efficiency and allow opponents to shoot 52.2% from two-point range which ranks 261st nationally. Yves Missi leads the team with 1.5 blocks a game as the primary rim protector, but only grabs 5.6 rebounds and his team ranks 136th in defensive rebound percentage. 

Scott Drew is always going to build around his backcourt and he has one of his best this season. The interior defense has held the Bears back all year long, but Drew trusts guards in March and so do I. I like the Bears to over-perform in the tournament and I know whatever one-seed has Baylor as their three won’t be happy.