Big 12 Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

4. Baylor Bears

2023-24 season record: 24-11 (11-7 Big 12)

There was a brief period where it looked like head coach Scott Drew was going to take the Kentucky job. But he stayed, giving Baylor fans a sigh of relief. Now comes the roster building, with the team losing four of its top five scorers. Freshmen Ja’Kobe Walter and Yves Missi entered the NBA Draft, while Jalen Bridges and Rayj Dennis moved on as well.

The good news for the Bears is that they still have two double-digit scorers coming back. Jayden Nunn (10.5 ppg on 44% 3PT), while Langston Love averaged 11.0 ppg in 25 mpg off the bench. Look for them to have an even larger role on the perimeter.

Joining them on the perimeter is Jeremy Roach, a senior transfer guard from Duke. He averaged a career-high 14.0 ppg and 3.3 apg as a starter and will be a great replacement for Dennis at point. Plus, 5-star wing prospect VJ Edgecombe could be the next one-and-done star at Baylor next season.

The frontcourt is the biggest question right now, as they lost both Missi and former JUCO commit, Noah Boyed. After missing out on Jonas Aidoo, look for the Bears to try and find another quality center to round out the roster and be a Final Four threat again.