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Baylor
Here's the first big swing and major zag from what you'll see elsewhere in preseason rankings. Baylor is hanging out at 20th in the AP poll, but this team should be better than that forecast. Scott Drew knows top-five territory well in the past half-decade of his coaching life. Because the team lost 46 points per night with the departures of Adam Flagler, LJ Cryer and Keyonte George, a slight dial back is anticipated. But what if I told you that Baylor could have a freshman who will carry more of an all-around impact than George did? I present Ja'Kobe Walter, a 6-5 SG ranked eighth in the class of 2023. Walter will be part of a 1-2 backcourt attack alongside RayJ Dennis, a transfer from Toledo who is priming to take the Big 12 by storm. Dennis averaged 19.5 points as a Rocket and could easily be good for 15 ppg or more with BU. VCU transfer Jayden Nunn will firm up a three-guard attack that's going to get more love and respect by Christmas than it's receiving in the lead-up to Halloween.

In the frontcourt, Drew gets the emotional core of his team back: Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua returns for his final season, and he'll have Jalen Bridges at the 4 beside him. That's a primary rotation good enough to win the Big 12, then you toss in critical and eager-to-improve role players such as Langston Love and Caleb Lohner? These Bears have tenacious potential. One more name: Yves Missi is a freshman 4 who has been getting rave reviews and he'll be a guarantee for playing time because of his defense BU simply must improve from last season's 107th overall rank in defensive efficiency.

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