Baylor Team Report

GETTING INSIDE

It seems somewhat silly to describe last season as a disappointment for Baylor when the Bears played longer than any Big 12 team.

Their postseason push, however, was in the NIT, where they finished as that tournament’s runner-up to Penn State

That tournament wasn’t where Baylor was projected after reaching the NCAA Tournament the year before.

But a ninth-place finish was all the Bears managed in the Big 12, going 5-11 in league before reaching the finals of the conference tournament and finishing 24-15 overall.

Now things get even more interesting after Baylor lost veteran starters Curtis Jerrells, Kevin Rogers and Henry Dugat.

Enough talent returns for the Bears to be competitive, but how Scott Drew molds it after failing to meet expectations a year ago is the biggest unknown.

How Michigan transfer Ekpe Udoh adapts to his new surroundings will be part of the equation. Udoh averaged six points for the Wolverines in 2007-08 before transferring, and at 6-10 and 240 pounds, he gives Baylor potential from a big man that it previously counted on from the undersized Rogers.

The backcourt appears to be solid as long as the Bears learn not to rush shots. That has been an ongoing problem and often surfaces whenever gunner LaceDarius Dunn touches the ball.

Dunn borders on untouchable when he’s hot, but the streak shooter can also take the Bears out of games if he’s cold. Tweety Carter is another returning outside threat.

Nolan Dennis, a 6-5 freshman who diverted to Baylor after initially signing with John Calipari at Memphis, offers versatility and could also start. He is part of a recruiting class ranked among the top 25 nationally by some services.

Those young additions must step up and contribute valuable minutes for Baylor to record a third consecutive season of 20 victories or more.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Expect G LaceDarius Dunn to at least attempt to launch a new streak for 3-point shots made. He connected in 28 consecutive games last season and set Baylor season records by making 109 3-pointers and attempting 281. He ranked first in the Big 12 in 3-pointers, but only 36 of the 109 came during conference play.

• Few players will ever enjoy the kind of start F Quincy Acy did last season as a freshman. Acy knocked down his first 20 shots to set Baylor and Big 12 records for consecutive field goals. However, Acy never blossomed into a consistent threat and averaged 5.4 points after drawing 10 starts.

• The run to the championship game of the NIT last season marked only the second time Baylor won multiple games in a postseason tournament. It reached the championship game of the NCAA Tournament in 1948 with four victories.

Last Year:   24-15 overall, 5-11 in the Big 12; lost in final of the NIT.

Head Coach:   Scott Drew (career 101-106); seventh year at Baylor (81-95).

Quote To Note:   “He’s done a great job since he’s been here. Nobody but him could come in here and do things that he’s done. He was man enough to come in here and take it.” - former Baylor G Curtis Jerrells to the New York Times on coach Scott Drew.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   The addition of G Nolan Dennis, a versatile 6-5 player who can play several spots, gave Baylor a potent recruiting class. Dennis initially signed with Memphis, but got out of that letter after John Calipari left to coach Kentucky. The Bears attracted others who either played or were headed to other programs, including C Ekpe Udoh (Michigan), G Mark McLaughlin (Nevada) and G Duran Diaz (Grambling). Udoh must be a force inside, where production has been spotty. G A.J. Walton is a freshman the Bears may spot in at the point.

Key Early-season Games:   Baylor is not bashful about playing potentially difficult games away from home. It appears in the Old Spice Classic, with an opener against Alabama, and also travels to Arizona State, Arkansas and South Carolina. The home games on the nonconference portion of the schedule are far more tame, with the possible exception of Massachusetts, a January game positioned within the Big 12 season.

Program Direction:   A 2-12 slump during Big 12 play last season stirred some heat for seventh-year coach Scott Drew, especially after Baylor failed to gain a repeat bid to the NCAA Tournament and was thrust into the NIT. The Bears did reach the final of that event and have won more games the past two seasons (45) than Drew managed in his first four (36). Recruiting has been on the rise under his watch. The Bears were even in on the nation’s top prospect, John Wall, last year. But they lost out despite hiring Wall’s travel team coach, Dwon Clifton, as coordinator of operations.

Probable Starting Lineup:   F Quincy Acy, C Ekpe Udoh, G Nolan Dennis, G LaceDarius Dunn, G Tweety Carter.

Roster Report:  

• G LaceDarius Dunn will probably play more minutes, though the 28.7 he averaged last year came despite drawing just 14 starts. Dunn averaged 15.7 points, second on the team behind departed G Curtis Jerrells.