Fall is here, and school is back in session, which means the good times are almost here – the start of college basketball season! To get you ready for this upcoming season, The Hoops Manifesto presents to you its preseason top 25 team rankings, based on the input from our esteemed voting panel. Next up #17: Baylor Bears.
Big thanks to our voting panel: Jeff Fox (@HoopsManifesto) from The Hoops Manifesto, Perry Missner (@PerryMissner) from RotoWire, Ray Bala (@CanBallReport) who writes The Can Ball Report on Raptors HQ, Adam Francis (@RaptorsHQ) from Raptors HQ, Ian (@SoxAndDawgs) from SOX & Dawgs, and Alex Gallant (@SeaTownSports) from SeaTown Sports.
#17 – Baylor Bears
2011/12: 30-8, lost NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
Key Returning Players:
Pierre Jackson – Point Guard – Senior
13.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.9 apg, 1.8 spg, 69-169 3Pts
Brady Heslip – Shooting Guard – Junior
10.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.0 apg, 100-220 3Pts
A.J. Walton – Point Guard – Senior
3.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.3 spg
Top Newcomers:
Logan Lowery – Small Forward – Sophomore (transfer from Centenary)
Isaiah Austin – Center – #4 ranked recruit (Rivals.com)
Ricardo Gathers – Power Forward – #37 ranked recruit (Rivals.com)
L.R. Rose – Point Guard – #74 ranked recruit (Rivals.com)
Chad Rykhoek – Center – #145 ranked recruit (Rivals.com)
Top NBA Prospect:
Isaiah Austin – top 10 pick in 2013 draft
Outlook:
The Bears return backcourt firepower in All-Big 12 Second Team member Pierre Jackson and three-point bomber Brady Heslip, but the frontcourt was ravaged by the departures of Quincy Acy, Quincy Miller and Perry Jones III. But have no fear, Baylor fans – Scott Drew has restocked the big man pantry pretty damn quickly. Enter Rivals.com’s sixth-best incoming freshman class, led by one of the best high school freshman big men in Isaiah Austin. The Bears will be just fine, thank you very much.
Preseason Top 25
#18 – Creighton Bluejays
#19 – Florida Gators
#20 – Kansas State Wildcats
#21 – San Diego State Aztecs
#22 – Saint Louis Billikens
#23 – Memphis Tigers
#24 – Notre Dame Fighting Irish
#25 – Texas Wildcats
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