Pre-Season Countdown | #15 Baylor

2009-10 Result: 28-8 (11-5 in the Big 12) lost to Duke 78-71 in the South Regional final.

Coach: Scott Drew 129-114 in eight seasons (109-103 in seven seasons at Baylor).

Eight Bears have signed contracts in the National Basketball Association including Brian Skinner and Epke Udoh.

The Bears have gone dancing in March on six different occasions. Baylor reached the national championship in 1948. The Bears played in the national semi-final game on 1950 and Elite Eight games in ’46 and 2010.

Notable non-conference tilts: 12/2 Arizona State, 12/18 Gonzaga

Stat of Identity: 38.2 field goal percentage defense (6th in the NCAA).

Key Returners:

LaceDarius Dunn 32.6 mpg, 19.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg

Quincy Acey 23.3 mpg, 9.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg

Anthony Jones 26.6 mpg, 6.2 ppg, 4.8

A.J. Walton 17.6 mpg, 3.8 ppg

Nolan Dennis 8.4 mpg, 2.2 ppg

By Paul Casey Gotham

No longer is the Big 12 the conference dominated by Kansas and Texas with every other team happy to get the table scraps left over by the Jayhawks and Longhorns. While KU and Texas still will have a say in the conference champion, Baylor, along with others, have acquired a voice.

After a run to last year’s Elite Eight, Scott Drew’s Bears will start with a light schedule. Baylor plays six games in November against Grambling State, LaSalle, Jackson State, Lipscomb and Prarie View A&M before facing Arizona State in early December. The scheduling works out well for Drew and his squad as they work their way through a series of off-the-court problems.

Things looked good when LaceDarius Dunn opted to stay in college. Things didn’t look so good when the star guard’s problems got him in the police blotter.

Baylor was the second tallest (Kentucky first) team last year. Gone are Epke Udo (6’10”) and Josh Lomers (7’0″). Enter Perry Jones III (6’11”) and UCLA transfer J’mison Morgan (6’11”) to take their place.

How long will it take for these players to fit in?

Quincy Acy should add plenty of experience and levity to the front court. Acy will need to improve his numbers over last year.

6’10” Anthony Jones will add to Baylor’s size around the bucket.

Rebounds and points in the paint should not cause a problem. Ballhandling might be Baylor’s downfall.