ScoobyT13 said:

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I think Decker is going to be better than we think. His game reminds me a lot of Jared McCain in college. However I do agree we need someone else to mix in. Probably extremely unlikely but is it too wild to call Dior Johnson and get some instant offense? Seems like someone who could bridge the gap until Dylan Mingo gets fully healthy (assuming we get him)

---

Dior is not worth the headache imo

There's still a good number of guys that I like still available, a move like that would be a last resort

In the past Drew has tended to cut his biggest checks early in the transfer process as I recall. Here Mingo was clearly number 1 (possibly Mingo x 2). I think we need at least one more guard, but I suspect he will be a bargain-basement type like Isaac Williams was last year relatively late in the process. I think we've spent all our cash on positions 3-5 in my view.

If Cam or Tounde decides to go back to college I suspect we go back to our big donors to ask for more to put a package together to at least try to keep him, but absent that I doubt we'll get another big name. Look for an athletic ball-handler type that shoots 32% from the FT line at the northern Wisconsin normal school or something like that. Or maybe some guy that shoots 60% from three but can't dribble with his left hand from the Stalingrad institute for lathe-operators.

Just my guess based on their past track record.

joenatty said:

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Tounde will not be back at Baylor next year, even if he returns to college

They are not out of money, there is still enough to add another serious name. Don't be a negative nancy just yet, the staff has done good work so far this portal cycle

---

Hope you're right! Would love to one more offensive impact player, particularly at guard, but at 4 would be nice too.

If 5-in-5 is happening next month the portal is about to come to a standstill. No point in signing players right now when you potentially have an entire pool of seniors to choose from. https://t.co/WFifCtTB4x

— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan) April 23, 2026

boognish_bear said:

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If 5-in-5 is happening next month the portal is about to come to a standstill. No point in signing players right now when you potentially have an entire pool of seniors to choose from. https://t.co/WFifCtTB4x

— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan) April 23, 2026

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For those in favor of fixing college sports, I suggest as a first move, fire Charlie Baker.

I don’t think the NCAA wants to grandfather in the 5 for 5, but it will be sued within seconds if it doesn’t.

The belief with people I’ve talked to is this is going to happen much sooner than later.

Think it’s way more difficult for basketball than football in terms of new…

— Jason Scheer (@jasonscheer) April 23, 2026

boognish_bear said:

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If 5-in-5 is happening next month the portal is about to come to a standstill. No point in signing players right now when you potentially have an entire pool of seniors to choose from. https://t.co/WFifCtTB4x

— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan) April 23, 2026

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Would Obi Agbim become an shooting guard option if this is passed?

bear2be2 said:

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boognish_bear said:

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If 5-in-5 is happening next month the portal is about to come to a standstill. No point in signing players right now when you potentially have an entire pool of seniors to choose from. https://t.co/WFifCtTB4x

— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan) April 23, 2026

---

Would Obi Agbim become an shooting guard option if this is passed?

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Ashley has said no

BUBradley said:

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bear2be2 said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

If 5-in-5 is happening next month the portal is about to come to a standstill. No point in signing players right now when you potentially have an entire pool of seniors to choose from. https://t.co/WFifCtTB4x

— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan) April 23, 2026

---

Would Obi Agbim become an shooting guard option if this is passed?

---

Ashley has said no

---

Fair enough. I would hope we can upgrade at that position, but we can certainly do worse as well.

Either way, we definitely need one more scoring guard. We're putting way too much on the shoulders of Mingo and Williams currently. We need a proven scorer who can play off the ball and take advantage of Mingo and Williams' penetration.

boognish_bear said:

---

If 5-in-5 is happening next month the portal is about to come to a standstill. No point in signing players right now when you potentially have an entire pool of seniors to choose from. https://t.co/WFifCtTB4x

— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan) April 23, 2026

---

It's funny, I was just thinking obi would be the perfect fit for this new roster. We could have 2 of Obi, Wililams, and Mingo on the floor at all times. As we saw Obi was much more effective playing off the ball once Williams began getting starter's minutes.

Seems like there are too many comments and projections in this thread based solely on offense. Much bigger concern for the past 5 years has been and should continue to be defense. If that doesn't improve, we're back in 13th or worse next year and taking double digit beatings routinely in the conference (over half our losses in the Big 12) again. And I won't single them out but the projected roster contains 3 guys with defensive metrics (you can go through Torvik, KenPom, EvanMiya or any service and they are essentially the same) and the ratings are in the Weak rating category, 2 guys with Average metrics, 1 guy with slightly Above Average metrics and 4 guys who have never played so there's no legit rating for them.

Hopefully those 4 will show up with at least average defensive skills for Big 12 level players when we get to early November. Or, hopefully we'll pick up at least one defensive specialist to go along with the shooting guard you guys are wanting and we get to 12 roster spots.

After 5 consecutive years, I would hope Drew and staff don't go into the season with only 10 scholarship players when our history now shows we lose at least 2 guys each year either before or during the season and the physical Big 12 play results in game-to-game injuries that eliminate 1-2 more, and that statistic is common with other teams not only in our conference but across all the High Major conferences. If we have another season where we only have 6 or 7 available players because we only carried 10 scholarship players who can actually be called upon when needed, then Drew and staff should be charged with coaching malfeasance.

Obi had Weak defensive metrics and his detailed offensive metrics showed significant fall off when facing Above average or better defensive opponents. Drew is a big proponent of metrics. Obi was never coming back.

We have 3 spots remaining. Ashley predicts 2 scholarships and 1 walk-on. 1 scholarship probably a rotation piece and one a developmental (e.g., Isaac Williams last year). Seems right to me based on past spending patterns.

the rotation piece will almost certainly be a guard or wing who can score a little bit and the developmental probably best-available.

Thomas Haugh is making upwards of 8 million dollars this year for Florida

Just a nod back to the conversation earlier in this thread where I talked about competitive NIL budgets across the sport

Taking a contrarian view, I think Obi would be excellent as a 6th man where his defensive shortcomings weren't as exposed. And if surrounded be better individual defenders. Hopefully we are still in play for a scoring guard who can also be a defensive upgrade over Obi. Best of both worlds.

I agree Obi would be a very serviceable 6th or 7th man playing the 2. Unfortunately he barely got to play the 2 and we paid him starting 2 money.

Obi would add little value.

Baylor is trying to move the needle from (1) being a middle of the pack B12 team that results in the seeding that leads to being a first weekend NCAAT team, to (2) a top quarter B12 team that results in the seeding that leads to a second weekend team. Hopefully that eventually leads to being a top two team in the B12 and a third weekend NCAAT team.

But we aren't taking that second step without first locking in that first step. And to accomplish that first step means solid defense at each position. Obi adds little to that goal. Harsh reality but reality.
We desperately need to stop stinking on D.

Obi was our de facto starting 2 once Williams was moved to the starting lineup in January. Obi was much more effective playing off of Williams' penetration. Mingo will be a huge defensive upgrade. But we still need another guard who can score the rock.

Big12Fan2024 said:

---

Seems like there are too many comments and projections in this thread based solely on offense. Much bigger concern for the past 5 years has been and should continue to be defense. If that doesn't improve, we're back in 13th or worse next year and taking double digit beatings routinely in the conference (over half our losses in the Big 12) again. And I won't single them out but the projected roster contains 3 guys with defensive metrics (you can go through Torvik, KenPom, EvanMiya or any service and they are essentially the same) and the ratings are in the Weak rating category, 2 guys with Average metrics, 1 guy with slightly Above Average metrics and 4 guys who have never played so there's no legit rating for them.

Hopefully those 4 will show up with at least average defensive skills for Big 12 level players when we get to early November. Or, hopefully we'll pick up at least one defensive specialist to go along with the shooting guard you guys are wanting and we get to 12 roster spots.

After 5 consecutive years, I would hope Drew and staff don't go into the season with only 10 scholarship players when our history now shows we lose at least 2 guys each year either before or during the season and the physical Big 12 play results in game-to-game injuries that eliminate 1-2 more, and that statistic is common with other teams not only in our conference but across all the High Major conferences. If we have another season where we only have 6 or 7 available players because we only carried 10 scholarship players who can actually be called upon when needed, then Drew and staff should be charged with coaching malfeasance.

Obi had Weak defensive metrics and his detailed offensive metrics showed significant fall off when facing Above average or better defensive opponents. Drew is a big proponent of metrics. Obi was never coming back.

---

I've largely given up on our ability to field a good defensive team, which means we had better be able to score our way to wins -- something we did with moderate success in 2023 and 2024.

And this team is currently short on scoring if it hopes to get back to that level.

I think our defense will improve some simply by adding a couple of true rim protectors to the mix in Bodo Bodo and Chatman. But we'll likely hand out open 3s like candy ... because that's what we do.

So we need to add offense -- and especially shooting -- from that two spot so we can we keep up with the Big 12 teams capable of taking advantage of that.

Currently, Decker and Celiscar are the only potential quality perimeter shooters on this roster -- and both will be experiencing significant jumps in competition level/opposing defense next season.

We need more offense if we hope to be competitive next year.

bear2be2 said:

---

Big12Fan2024 said:

---

Seems like there are too many comments and projections in this thread based solely on offense. Much bigger concern for the past 5 years has been and should continue to be defense. If that doesn't improve, we're back in 13th or worse next year and taking double digit beatings routinely in the conference (over half our losses in the Big 12) again. And I won't single them out but the projected roster contains 3 guys with defensive metrics (you can go through Torvik, KenPom, EvanMiya or any service and they are essentially the same) and the ratings are in the Weak rating category, 2 guys with Average metrics, 1 guy with slightly Above Average metrics and 4 guys who have never played so there's no legit rating for them.

Hopefully those 4 will show up with at least average defensive skills for Big 12 level players when we get to early November. Or, hopefully we'll pick up at least one defensive specialist to go along with the shooting guard you guys are wanting and we get to 12 roster spots.

After 5 consecutive years, I would hope Drew and staff don't go into the season with only 10 scholarship players when our history now shows we lose at least 2 guys each year either before or during the season and the physical Big 12 play results in game-to-game injuries that eliminate 1-2 more, and that statistic is common with other teams not only in our conference but across all the High Major conferences. If we have another season where we only have 6 or 7 available players because we only carried 10 scholarship players who can actually be called upon when needed, then Drew and staff should be charged with coaching malfeasance.

Obi had Weak defensive metrics and his detailed offensive metrics showed significant fall off when facing Above average or better defensive opponents. Drew is a big proponent of metrics. Obi was never coming back.

---

I've largely given up on our ability to field a good defensive team, which means we had better be able to score our way to wins -- something we did with moderate success in 2023 and 2024.

And this team is currently short on scoring if it hopes to get back to that level.

I think our defense will improve some simply by adding a couple of true rim protectors to the mix in Bodo Bodo and Chatman. But we'll likely hand out open 3s like candy ... because that's what we do.

So we need to add offense -- and especially shooting -- from that two spot so we can we keep up with the Big 12 teams capable of taking advantage of that.

Currently, Decker and Celiscar are the only potential quality perimeter shooters on this roster -- and both will be experiencing significant jumps in competition level/opposing defense next season.

We need more offense if we hope to be competitive next year.

---

Which "offense focused" teams have finished in the top four of the B12 over the past five years?

Hard enough to do when B12 was in two time zones. With current travel burden, legs fresh enough to jump shoot a team to road victories in February will be in very short supply.

bear2be2 said:

---

Big12Fan2024 said:

---

Seems like there are too many comments and projections in this thread based solely on offense. Much bigger concern for the past 5 years has been and should continue to be defense. If that doesn't improve, we're back in 13th or worse next year and taking double digit beatings routinely in the conference (over half our losses in the Big 12) again. And I won't single them out but the projected roster contains 3 guys with defensive metrics (you can go through Torvik, KenPom, EvanMiya or any service and they are essentially the same) and the ratings are in the Weak rating category, 2 guys with Average metrics, 1 guy with slightly Above Average metrics and 4 guys who have never played so there's no legit rating for them.

Hopefully those 4 will show up with at least average defensive skills for Big 12 level players when we get to early November. Or, hopefully we'll pick up at least one defensive specialist to go along with the shooting guard you guys are wanting and we get to 12 roster spots.

After 5 consecutive years, I would hope Drew and staff don't go into the season with only 10 scholarship players when our history now shows we lose at least 2 guys each year either before or during the season and the physical Big 12 play results in game-to-game injuries that eliminate 1-2 more, and that statistic is common with other teams not only in our conference but across all the High Major conferences. If we have another season where we only have 6 or 7 available players because we only carried 10 scholarship players who can actually be called upon when needed, then Drew and staff should be charged with coaching malfeasance.

Obi had Weak defensive metrics and his detailed offensive metrics showed significant fall off when facing Above average or better defensive opponents. Drew is a big proponent of metrics. Obi was never coming back.

---

I've largely given up on our ability to field a good defensive team, which means we had better be able to score our way to wins -- something we did with moderate success in 2023 and 2024.

And this team is currently short on scoring if it hopes to get back to that level.

I think our defense will improve some simply by adding a couple of true rim protectors to the mix in Bodo Bodo and Chatman. But we'll likely hand out open 3s like candy ... because that's what we do.

So we need to add offense -- and especially shooting -- from that two spot so we can we keep up with the Big 12 teams capable of taking advantage of that.

Currently, Decker and Celiscar are the only potential quality perimeter shooters on this roster -- and both will be experiencing significant jumps in competition level/opposing defense next season.

We need more offense if we hope to be competitive next year.

---

The staff is clearly focused on getting back to the defensive ways with the additions this season, every scholarship player on the roster outside of Decker is a capable, or better, defender

I agree that we need to add offense and specifically shooting with the last few roster spots but to act like we have to outscore every team going forward is silly. The goal should be to get back to a defense first team, that's clearly what wins games

Obi would 100% add value. He was a true 2 asked to play point for much of the year and when he finally got to be more of a spot up shooter he improved. He wasn't the weakest link on the floor defensively. He tended to hit open shots. I think he'd be fine with better defenders around him.

As for the 5 in 5 conversation, I seriously doubt that will be passed this offseason. If it passes, I expect it to be next offseason when teams have ample time to prepare for it. No reason to worry about how Agbim or others fit with this roster lol

We need things to talk about… college sports has ended until next fall

boykin_spaniel said:

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Obi would 100% add value. He was a true 2 asked to play point for much of the year and when he finally got to be more of a spot up shooter he improved. He wasn't the weakest link on the floor defensively. He tended to hit open shots. I think he'd be fine with better defenders around him.

---

Not being the weakest link on last season's D isn't exactly a high hurdle.
in fact, it might be more of a trench than a hurdle.

Adriacus Peratuun said:

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bear2be2 said:

---

Big12Fan2024 said:

---

Seems like there are too many comments and projections in this thread based solely on offense. Much bigger concern for the past 5 years has been and should continue to be defense. If that doesn't improve, we're back in 13th or worse next year and taking double digit beatings routinely in the conference (over half our losses in the Big 12) again. And I won't single them out but the projected roster contains 3 guys with defensive metrics (you can go through Torvik, KenPom, EvanMiya or any service and they are essentially the same) and the ratings are in the Weak rating category, 2 guys with Average metrics, 1 guy with slightly Above Average metrics and 4 guys who have never played so there's no legit rating for them.

Hopefully those 4 will show up with at least average defensive skills for Big 12 level players when we get to early November. Or, hopefully we'll pick up at least one defensive specialist to go along with the shooting guard you guys are wanting and we get to 12 roster spots.

After 5 consecutive years, I would hope Drew and staff don't go into the season with only 10 scholarship players when our history now shows we lose at least 2 guys each year either before or during the season and the physical Big 12 play results in game-to-game injuries that eliminate 1-2 more, and that statistic is common with other teams not only in our conference but across all the High Major conferences. If we have another season where we only have 6 or 7 available players because we only carried 10 scholarship players who can actually be called upon when needed, then Drew and staff should be charged with coaching malfeasance.

Obi had Weak defensive metrics and his detailed offensive metrics showed significant fall off when facing Above average or better defensive opponents. Drew is a big proponent of metrics. Obi was never coming back.

---

I've largely given up on our ability to field a good defensive team, which means we had better be able to score our way to wins -- something we did with moderate success in 2023 and 2024.

And this team is currently short on scoring if it hopes to get back to that level.

I think our defense will improve some simply by adding a couple of true rim protectors to the mix in Bodo Bodo and Chatman. But we'll likely hand out open 3s like candy ... because that's what we do.

So we need to add offense -- and especially shooting -- from that two spot so we can we keep up with the Big 12 teams capable of taking advantage of that.

Currently, Decker and Celiscar are the only potential quality perimeter shooters on this roster -- and both will be experiencing significant jumps in competition level/opposing defense next season.

We need more offense if we hope to be competitive next year.

---

Which "offense focused" teams have finished in the top four of the B12 over the past five years?

Hard enough to do when B12 was in two time zones. With current travel burden, legs fresh enough to jump shoot a team to road victories in February will be in very short supply.

---

Why are we talking about finishing in the top four of the Big 12 right now? We haven't done that in almost half a decade and just got done finishing 13th in a 16-team league.

With what we're returning and have added so far, the goal for next season should be a return to our 2023 and 2024 level, which will be a big enough challenge at this rate.

Our program is a shell of what it was at the beginning of this decade. It's going to take time, a **** ton of effort and more luck than we probably deserve to get back to a place where we're competing for conference titles again.

joenatty said:

---

bear2be2 said:

---

Big12Fan2024 said:

---

Seems like there are too many comments and projections in this thread based solely on offense. Much bigger concern for the past 5 years has been and should continue to be defense. If that doesn't improve, we're back in 13th or worse next year and taking double digit beatings routinely in the conference (over half our losses in the Big 12) again. And I won't single them out but the projected roster contains 3 guys with defensive metrics (you can go through Torvik, KenPom, EvanMiya or any service and they are essentially the same) and the ratings are in the Weak rating category, 2 guys with Average metrics, 1 guy with slightly Above Average metrics and 4 guys who have never played so there's no legit rating for them.

Hopefully those 4 will show up with at least average defensive skills for Big 12 level players when we get to early November. Or, hopefully we'll pick up at least one defensive specialist to go along with the shooting guard you guys are wanting and we get to 12 roster spots.

After 5 consecutive years, I would hope Drew and staff don't go into the season with only 10 scholarship players when our history now shows we lose at least 2 guys each year either before or during the season and the physical Big 12 play results in game-to-game injuries that eliminate 1-2 more, and that statistic is common with other teams not only in our conference but across all the High Major conferences. If we have another season where we only have 6 or 7 available players because we only carried 10 scholarship players who can actually be called upon when needed, then Drew and staff should be charged with coaching malfeasance.

Obi had Weak defensive metrics and his detailed offensive metrics showed significant fall off when facing Above average or better defensive opponents. Drew is a big proponent of metrics. Obi was never coming back.

---

I've largely given up on our ability to field a good defensive team, which means we had better be able to score our way to wins -- something we did with moderate success in 2023 and 2024.

And this team is currently short on scoring if it hopes to get back to that level.

I think our defense will improve some simply by adding a couple of true rim protectors to the mix in Bodo Bodo and Chatman. But we'll likely hand out open 3s like candy ... because that's what we do.

So we need to add offense -- and especially shooting -- from that two spot so we can we keep up with the Big 12 teams capable of taking advantage of that.

Currently, Decker and Celiscar are the only potential quality perimeter shooters on this roster -- and both will be experiencing significant jumps in competition level/opposing defense next season.

We need more offense if we hope to be competitive next year.

---

The staff is clearly focused on getting back to the defensive ways with the additions this season, every scholarship player on the roster outside of Decker is a capable, or better, defender

I agree that we need to add offense and specifically shooting with the last few roster spots but to act like we have to outscore every team going forward is silly. The goal should be to get back to a defense first team, that's clearly what wins games

---

The flaw with this line of thinking is that Scott Drew has never intentionally fielded a defense-first team. He just lucked into a handful of generational defenders over a three-year stretch that is a complete outlier for his his 23-year tenure at Baylor.

Hoping for a return to our 2020-2022 defense will only leave you disappointed in the end.

For all his many great qualities, Scott Drew has never been a good defensive coach. Any success we've ever had on that end of the floor has been player-led.

bear2be2 said:

---

Adriacus Peratuun said:

---

bear2be2 said:

---

Big12Fan2024 said:

---

Seems like there are too many comments and projections in this thread based solely on offense. Much bigger concern for the past 5 years has been and should continue to be defense. If that doesn't improve, we're back in 13th or worse next year and taking double digit beatings routinely in the conference (over half our losses in the Big 12) again. And I won't single them out but the projected roster contains 3 guys with defensive metrics (you can go through Torvik, KenPom, EvanMiya or any service and they are essentially the same) and the ratings are in the Weak rating category, 2 guys with Average metrics, 1 guy with slightly Above Average metrics and 4 guys who have never played so there's no legit rating for them.

Hopefully those 4 will show up with at least average defensive skills for Big 12 level players when we get to early November. Or, hopefully we'll pick up at least one defensive specialist to go along with the shooting guard you guys are wanting and we get to 12 roster spots.

After 5 consecutive years, I would hope Drew and staff don't go into the season with only 10 scholarship players when our history now shows we lose at least 2 guys each year either before or during the season and the physical Big 12 play results in game-to-game injuries that eliminate 1-2 more, and that statistic is common with other teams not only in our conference but across all the High Major conferences. If we have another season where we only have 6 or 7 available players because we only carried 10 scholarship players who can actually be called upon when needed, then Drew and staff should be charged with coaching malfeasance.

Obi had Weak defensive metrics and his detailed offensive metrics showed significant fall off when facing Above average or better defensive opponents. Drew is a big proponent of metrics. Obi was never coming back.

---

I've largely given up on our ability to field a good defensive team, which means we had better be able to score our way to wins -- something we did with moderate success in 2023 and 2024.

And this team is currently short on scoring if it hopes to get back to that level.

I think our defense will improve some simply by adding a couple of true rim protectors to the mix in Bodo Bodo and Chatman. But we'll likely hand out open 3s like candy ... because that's what we do.

So we need to add offense -- and especially shooting -- from that two spot so we can we keep up with the Big 12 teams capable of taking advantage of that.

Currently, Decker and Celiscar are the only potential quality perimeter shooters on this roster -- and both will be experiencing significant jumps in competition level/opposing defense next season.

We need more offense if we hope to be competitive next year.

---

Which "offense focused" teams have finished in the top four of the B12 over the past five years?

Hard enough to do when B12 was in two time zones. With current travel burden, legs fresh enough to jump shoot a team to road victories in February will be in very short supply.

---

Why are we talking about finishing in the top four of the Big 12 right now? We haven't done that in almost half a decade and just got done finishing 13th in a 16-team league.

With what we're returning and have added so far, the goal for next season should be a return to our 2023 and 2024 level, which will be a big enough challenge at this rate.

Our program is a shell of what it was at the beginning of this decade. It's going to take time, a **** ton of effort and more luck than we probably deserve to get back to a place where we're competing for conference titles again.

---

And yet you are arguing for basically giving up on D and "score our way to wins".
Neither Baylor nor any other team is going to shoot their way to winning in the B12 without solid D.
What part of Winning in the B12 Requires D is difficult?

Adriacus Peratuun said:

---

bear2be2 said:

---

Adriacus Peratuun said:

---

bear2be2 said:

---

Big12Fan2024 said:

---

Seems like there are too many comments and projections in this thread based solely on offense. Much bigger concern for the past 5 years has been and should continue to be defense. If that doesn't improve, we're back in 13th or worse next year and taking double digit beatings routinely in the conference (over half our losses in the Big 12) again. And I won't single them out but the projected roster contains 3 guys with defensive metrics (you can go through Torvik, KenPom, EvanMiya or any service and they are essentially the same) and the ratings are in the Weak rating category, 2 guys with Average metrics, 1 guy with slightly Above Average metrics and 4 guys who have never played so there's no legit rating for them.

Hopefully those 4 will show up with at least average defensive skills for Big 12 level players when we get to early November. Or, hopefully we'll pick up at least one defensive specialist to go along with the shooting guard you guys are wanting and we get to 12 roster spots.

After 5 consecutive years, I would hope Drew and staff don't go into the season with only 10 scholarship players when our history now shows we lose at least 2 guys each year either before or during the season and the physical Big 12 play results in game-to-game injuries that eliminate 1-2 more, and that statistic is common with other teams not only in our conference but across all the High Major conferences. If we have another season where we only have 6 or 7 available players because we only carried 10 scholarship players who can actually be called upon when needed, then Drew and staff should be charged with coaching malfeasance.

Obi had Weak defensive metrics and his detailed offensive metrics showed significant fall off when facing Above average or better defensive opponents. Drew is a big proponent of metrics. Obi was never coming back.

---

I've largely given up on our ability to field a good defensive team, which means we had better be able to score our way to wins -- something we did with moderate success in 2023 and 2024.

And this team is currently short on scoring if it hopes to get back to that level.

I think our defense will improve some simply by adding a couple of true rim protectors to the mix in Bodo Bodo and Chatman. But we'll likely hand out open 3s like candy ... because that's what we do.

So we need to add offense -- and especially shooting -- from that two spot so we can we keep up with the Big 12 teams capable of taking advantage of that.

Currently, Decker and Celiscar are the only potential quality perimeter shooters on this roster -- and both will be experiencing significant jumps in competition level/opposing defense next season.

We need more offense if we hope to be competitive next year.

---

Which "offense focused" teams have finished in the top four of the B12 over the past five years?

Hard enough to do when B12 was in two time zones. With current travel burden, legs fresh enough to jump shoot a team to road victories in February will be in very short supply.

---

Why are we talking about finishing in the top four of the Big 12 right now? We haven't done that in almost half a decade and just got done finishing 13th in a 16-team league.

With what we're returning and have added so far, the goal for next season should be a return to our 2023 and 2024 level, which will be a big enough challenge at this rate.

Our program is a shell of what it was at the beginning of this decade. It's going to take time, a **** ton of effort and more luck than we probably deserve to get back to a place where we're competing for conference titles again.

---

And yet you are arguing for basically giving up on D and "score our way to wins".
Neither Baylor nor any other team is going to shoot their way to winning in the B12 without solid D.
What part of Winning in the B12 Requires D is difficult?

---

If you've ever read my posts here, you'd know that I'd never argue for giving up on defense. I've probably been more frustrated by our **** defense the last four years than anyone who posts here regularly.

But looking at the roster we have currently and what we likely have to spend to fill out the remaining two or three spots, I see little reason to believe that any move we make between now and the beginning of the season will turn this into an elite defensive team. And if we don't add more offense, we'll be more likely to finish in the bottom four of the Big 12 again than we will be to climb into the top four.

I would love for us to focus more on defense and fix things on that end of the floor. But that ship has likely already sailed. Like I said, I think we can (and will) be better because our interior guys are better. But it would be easier at this stage to try to close the gap on the offensive end than it would be on defense, where Drew's teams have consistently struggled outside of a three-year period that's likely not even repeatable in the current CBB landscape.

I think this team, as currently constructed, will be a bubble team next year. The goal at this stage should be returning to the tournament. Our program has fallen that far. It's going to take work and time to get it back to the level that fans here are expecting. Adding some defense-first wing from Radford or Cal Poly isn't going to make this team a Big 12 title contender.

Ewalker80 said:

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We have 3 spots remaining. Ashley predicts 2 scholarships and 1 walk-on. 1 scholarship probably a rotation piece and one a developmental (e.g., Isaac Williams last year). Seems right to me based on past spending patterns.

the rotation piece will almost certainly be a guard or wing who can score a little bit and the developmental probably best-available.

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Sounds about right. So we're building to peak for 27'-28'. Retain everyone again (difficult to do) and then add a real player and possibly younger Mingo. That team would contend... finally.

Next year is growth and continuity building. Something every decent team in this league has been doing for 3 years now. Better late than never. Love the role players but missing the pop for next year unless Perez is Sochan good and Mingo goes nuclear and becomes a lottery pg. Looks like a middling big 12 team with a ton of depth.

bear2be2 said:

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Adriacus Peratuun said:

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bear2be2 said:

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Adriacus Peratuun said:

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bear2be2 said:

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Big12Fan2024 said:

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Seems like there are too many comments and projections in this thread based solely on offense. Much bigger concern for the past 5 years has been and should continue to be defense. If that doesn't improve, we're back in 13th or worse next year and taking double digit beatings routinely in the conference (over half our losses in the Big 12) again. And I won't single them out but the projected roster contains 3 guys with defensive metrics (you can go through Torvik, KenPom, EvanMiya or any service and they are essentially the same) and the ratings are in the Weak rating category, 2 guys with Average metrics, 1 guy with slightly Above Average metrics and 4 guys who have never played so there's no legit rating for them.

Hopefully those 4 will show up with at least average defensive skills for Big 12 level players when we get to early November. Or, hopefully we'll pick up at least one defensive specialist to go along with the shooting guard you guys are wanting and we get to 12 roster spots.

After 5 consecutive years, I would hope Drew and staff don't go into the season with only 10 scholarship players when our history now shows we lose at least 2 guys each year either before or during the season and the physical Big 12 play results in game-to-game injuries that eliminate 1-2 more, and that statistic is common with other teams not only in our conference but across all the High Major conferences. If we have another season where we only have 6 or 7 available players because we only carried 10 scholarship players who can actually be called upon when needed, then Drew and staff should be charged with coaching malfeasance.

Obi had Weak defensive metrics and his detailed offensive metrics showed significant fall off when facing Above average or better defensive opponents. Drew is a big proponent of metrics. Obi was never coming back.

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I've largely given up on our ability to field a good defensive team, which means we had better be able to score our way to wins -- something we did with moderate success in 2023 and 2024.

And this team is currently short on scoring if it hopes to get back to that level.

I think our defense will improve some simply by adding a couple of true rim protectors to the mix in Bodo Bodo and Chatman. But we'll likely hand out open 3s like candy ... because that's what we do.

So we need to add offense -- and especially shooting -- from that two spot so we can we keep up with the Big 12 teams capable of taking advantage of that.

Currently, Decker and Celiscar are the only potential quality perimeter shooters on this roster -- and both will be experiencing significant jumps in competition level/opposing defense next season.

We need more offense if we hope to be competitive next year.

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Which "offense focused" teams have finished in the top four of the B12 over the past five years?

Hard enough to do when B12 was in two time zones. With current travel burden, legs fresh enough to jump shoot a team to road victories in February will be in very short supply.

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Why are we talking about finishing in the top four of the Big 12 right now? We haven't done that in almost half a decade and just got done finishing 13th in a 16-team league.

With what we're returning and have added so far, the goal for next season should be a return to our 2023 and 2024 level, which will be a big enough challenge at this rate.

Our program is a shell of what it was at the beginning of this decade. It's going to take time, a **** ton of effort and more luck than we probably deserve to get back to a place where we're competing for conference titles again.

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And yet you are arguing for basically giving up on D and "score our way to wins".
Neither Baylor nor any other team is going to shoot their way to winning in the B12 without solid D.
What part of Winning in the B12 Requires D is difficult?

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If you've ever read my posts here, you'd know that I'd never argue for giving up on defense. I've probably been more frustrated by our **** defense the last four years than anyone who posts here regularly.

But looking at the roster we have currently and what we likely have to spend to fill out the remaining two or three spots, I see little reason to believe that any move we make between now and the beginning of the season will turn this into an elite defensive team. And if we don't add more offense, we'll be more likely to finish in the bottom four of the Big 12 again than we will be to climb into the top four.

I would love for us to focus more on defense and fix things on that end of the floor. But that ship has likely already sailed. Like I said, I think we can (and will) be better because our interior guys our better. But it would be easier at this stage to try to close the gap on the offensive end than it would be on defense, where Drew's teams have consistently struggled outside of a three-year period that's likely not even repeatable in the current CBB landscape.

I think this team, as currently constructed, will be a bubble team next year. The goal at this stage should be returning to the tournament. Our program has fallen that far. It's going to take work and time to get it back to the level that fans here are expecting. Adding some defense-first wing from Radford or Cal Poly isn't going to make this team a Big 12 title contender.

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