Super Scintillating Selections Top 30 Countdown: #8 Baylor Bears

How upset are you that today’s team lost to yesterday’s Kansas State Wildcats twice? How can the Baylor Bears possibly be in front of Kansas State? I believe they are the better all-around team that's why. Keyonte George, LJ Cryer, and Adam Flagler are three of the nation's top players that just so happen to play on the same team. They also have Scott Drew, who has led the Bears to 10 NCAA Tournament Appearances, five Sweet 16 trips, three Elite Eights, and won the National Championship in 2021. Good guards and an experienced/proven head coach…sound familiar?

I don't love that they are limping a little bit going into the Big 12 tournament with a 15 point loss at home to Iowa State, but they get a chance to redeem themselves. They play Iowa State again this time in the Big 12 tournament on Thursday, and if they can take care of business with a fully healthy team and be competitive throughout the rest of the tournament, I will be back fully on board.

Let's Get into it.

Why can Scott Drew win his second natty?

1) Backcourt Ballers. To put it simply, no team does it better. Keyonte George, Adam Flagler, and LJ Cryer are deadly weapons. If they sync at the same time there is about a zero percent chance the opposing has at winning the ballgame. They average a combined 30.2 points per game, 9.7 Assists per game, 39.4% from deep, over 40% from the field, and 82% from the free throw line. You can only hope for these guys to have an off game, otherwise you better put up an offensive performance of a life-time to beat these three.

2) Experience. LJ Cryer, Adam Flagler, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Flo Thamba were all on the team when the Bears won the National Championship during the 20-21’ season, and they will all play a huge role for the Bears in March. Having these guys around their freshmen guards Langston Love and Keyonte George will be a tremendous advantage Baylor has over anyone they play. Absolute nightmare fuel for opposing teams, but a fantasy for me. Love it.

What’s holding them back?

Experience *check*, great guards *check*, PLEASE tell me they have a decent defense…please please please.

1) They Don’t. Damn, we were so close to finding the one but it slipped through our hands like a bar of soap in the shower. #252 in opponent shooting percentage, #315 in opponent two point FG%, #330 in defensive rebounds per games, and they average 17 fouls per game (#212). This infuriates me. We know they have athletes and Scott Drew has coached great defensive teams in the past, WHAT IS THE DEAL? Maybe the Big 12 really is that good?

By no means am I saying the Bears can’t win it all, because they most certainly can. Having Scott Drew on the sideline, and the three-headed monster in the back court is a strong case. But, those are two things that will catch everyone’s eye. Some won't catch the below par defense. You have to be willing to look past offensive stats when selecting your National Champion. An off night from Baylor offensively means they won’t have a lot to lean back on. That scares me.

My Prediction: Elite 8

Next Game: 3/9 vs. Iowa State (Big 12 tournament)