Broken down in Tiers, Bears in Tier 5. Iowa State, Kansas, Houston in tiers ahead. We get Love back soon and playing with the new urgency we have I like our chances to get to 8. Not too many teams have the talent level we have 1-5. I don't think we can beat UConn when they are playing their A game, but that is probably everyone else.

Tier 5: Sleepers

Baylor (18-6)
Creighton (18-7)
San Diego State (19-6)
South Carolina (21-4)

Nobody is talking about these teams as ones who could potentially make a run… but maybe they should be? Baylor isn't anywhere near as tough as its 2021 title team, but behind the nation's best 3-point offense the Bears make 41.2 percent from 3 as a team, with four players above 40 percent Scott Drew still has himself a squad. Does Baylor turn it over way too much? Uh, yeah. (At least 20 giveaways in two of its last four games.) Does Baylor play great defense? Uh, no. (Just 68th in adjusted efficiency, with basically one competent big man… who, while talented, is still a reclassified freshman.) But if you want points and 3s, Baylor's got you covered. Plus, we're not gonna bet against Drew still one of the nation's best coaches making another run.

Are Baylor's 3 point numbers still that good in mid February? I know we were great in 2023 when most of our opponents were cupcakes. I also know our 3 point shooting has dropped considerably since conference play began. I doubt we have more than 2-3 players above 40% for the season. I would love to be wrong.