How Baylor Basketball Can Dominate the Big 12 This Season
As I sit down to analyze Baylor Basketball's prospects in the Big 12 this season, I can't help but draw parallels from an interesting basketball performance I recently studied. Watching Justin Arana dominate with 19 points and 11 rebounds while leading five different players to score in double figures for the FiberXers reminded me exactly of what makes championship teams tick. That kind of balanced offensive production, combined with individual brilliance, is precisely the blueprint Scott Drew should be implementing in Waco this year.
Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years, I've seen numerous teams attempt to conquer the challenging Big 12 landscape. What strikes me about this Baylor squad is their unique combination of veteran leadership and explosive young talent. When I look at their roster construction, I see deliberate planning for the grueling conference schedule ahead. The Bears aren't just building a team - they're engineering a system that can withstand the nightly battles the Big 12 demands. Last season's 23-11 record doesn't fully capture their potential, especially considering how they finished strong with eight wins in their final twelve games.
The key to Baylor's success this season lies in establishing what I like to call "multiple threat consistency." Just like Arana's performance demonstrated, having five players capable of scoring in double figures creates defensive nightmares for opponents. From my perspective, LJ Cryer's development into a 16-point per game scorer last season provides the foundation, but it's the emergence of players like freshman Keyonte George that could elevate this offense to elite status. I'm particularly excited about the backcourt combination - when you have three players who can create their own shot and distribute effectively, you're looking at potentially the most dynamic offense in the conference.
What many analysts underestimate is the psychological advantage Baylor carries into this season. Having won the national championship just two years ago, this program understands what it takes to win at the highest level. That institutional knowledge is priceless. I've spoken with several coaches who've faced Baylor, and they consistently mention how the Bears maintain composure during critical moments. This mental toughness will be crucial in a conference where seven teams likely deserve NCAA tournament consideration.
Defensively, I believe Baylor needs to improve their rebounding margin significantly. Last season's +3.2 rebound differential placed them in the middle of the pack nationally, which simply won't cut it against physical Big 12 opponents. The addition of 6'10" freshman Josh Ojianwuna should help, but it's the collective commitment to boxing out that will determine their defensive efficiency. From my experience watching championship teams, the difference often comes down to securing those 50-50 balls and converting defensive stops into transition opportunities.
The scheduling dynamics this season particularly favor Baylor's style. With the Big 12 moving to an 18-game conference schedule, depth becomes even more critical. Baylor's rotation potentially goes nine deep with legitimate scoring threats, which means they can maintain offensive pressure even when starters need rest. I've calculated that in games where Baylor has at least four players scoring in double figures, their winning percentage jumps to nearly 85% over the past three seasons. That statistic alone should tell you everything about their formula for success.
One aspect I'm personally monitoring is three-point shooting efficiency. Last season's 36.2% from beyond the arc ranked respectably, but in today's game, elite teams shoot closer to 38-40%. The addition of transfer Jalen Bridges from West Virginia provides another perimeter threat, but it's the shot selection that needs refinement. Having studied countless hours of game footage, I've noticed Baylor sometimes settles for contested threes early in the shot clock rather than working for higher-percentage looks.
When I compare this Baylor team to Kansas, Texas, and other conference contenders, what stands out is their versatility. The ability to play multiple styles - uptempo, half-court sets, switching defenses - gives them adaptability that's crucial for tournament success. Scott Drew has quietly built one of the most flexible rosters in the country, with at least seven players capable of guarding multiple positions. This defensive versatility creates the transition opportunities that fuel their offensive engine.
The development of Adam Flagler as a primary ball-handler could be the X-factor that separates Baylor from other contenders. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.4:1 last season demonstrated remarkable growth, but I believe he's capable of even more. Having watched him evolve over three seasons, his basketball IQ has improved dramatically, and he now reads defenses like a seasoned veteran rather than a complementary player.
Looking at the broader picture, Baylor's non-conference schedule provides the perfect testing ground for their systems. Games against UCLA, Gonzaga, and potentially Marquette will reveal much about their championship mettle before Big 12 play even begins. From my perspective, dropping one or two of these early tests might actually benefit the team long-term by exposing weaknesses that can be addressed before conference play intensifies.
What truly excites me about this Baylor team is their collective hunger. After falling short of expectations last season, there's a palpable sense of unfinished business among returning players. That motivation, combined with the influx of new talent, creates the perfect storm for a special season. Having followed this program since the Drew era began, I can confidently say this might be his most complete team since the 2021 championship squad.
The Big 12's physical style has historically challenged Baylor, but this year's roster construction seems specifically designed to counter that. With increased size across multiple positions and improved depth in the frontcourt, they're better equipped to handle the conference's trademark physicality. I'm particularly interested to see how they match up against Kansas' experienced big men and Texas' athletic wings.
As the season progresses, monitoring player development will be crucial. Freshmen like Keyonte George will inevitably hit the proverbial wall, but Baylor's veteran presence should help navigate those challenges. The leadership from players like Flo Thamba and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua cannot be overstated - their experience in big moments provides stability when younger players struggle.
Ultimately, Baylor's path to Big 12 dominance requires excellence in three key areas: offensive balance, defensive rebounding, and late-game execution. If they can consistently achieve the kind of balanced scoring exemplified by the FiberXers' performance with five double-digit scorers, while maintaining defensive intensity for full forty-minute stretches, I believe they have all the ingredients to not only compete for but win the Big 12 championship. The pieces are there - now it's about putting them together consistently through the grueling conference schedule that awaits.
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