Baylor Bears
Record: 24-11
Head coach: Scott Drew (11th season)
Season summary: The Bears managed a 9-9 record in conference
play and advanced to the Big 12 tournament title game, no small feat in a
league where seven of the league’s nine teams drew tournament bids. But its record
doesn’t do Baylor’s full resume justice. The Bears have 10 wins against tournament
teams this season. Balance is the name of the game for Baylor—four players
average double-figures, led by senior forward Cory Jefferson at 13.5 points per
game. Scott Drew’s team does an excellent job crashing the glass, pulling down
14.3 offensive rebounds per game. The Bears are
hot coming into the tournament, winners of 10 of their past 12 games.
How they make a run: Baylor continues to spread the ball
around and gets timely contributions from 47.3 percent 3-point shooter Brady
Heslip to advance.
How they falter: Teams take away Baylor’s main offensive
weapon in Jefferson, and the rest of the Bears can’t pick up the slack, as was
the case in the Big 12 tournament final against Iowa State.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.