ESPN: Baylor MBB a top four team for 2020-2021 season

Baylor is losing two of their top players with Freddie Gillespie and Devonte Bandoo moving on after graduation, but there could be a third if junior MaCio Teague opts to not return after entering his name in the 2020 NBA Draft.

But if Teague does return, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello views Baylor’s returning roster not only as the top team in the Big 12, but one of the top four teams in the country with a pretty wide margin between the top three and the rest of the top 25. 

Borzello has the Bears at No. 3 in his way-too-early top 25, up one spot from one of his earlier projections. 

“I think there's a clear tier drop entering next season after Scott Drew's team, with the Bears rounding out what I perceive as a definitive top three (in whichever order you prefer). Baylor should bring back four starters from last season's Final Four contender, assuming MaCio Teague returns to school and Jared Butler doesn't enter his name into the NBA draft,” Borzello wrote. 

Butler (16.0 points) and Teague (13.9 points) were Baylor’s top scorers in 2019-2020 season. Potentially paired up with Davion Mitchell (9.9 points) and now-eligible transfer Adam Flagler (15.9 points at Presbyterian in 2018-2019) — not to mention potent scoring guard and true freshmen LJ Cryer‍ — the Bears would have one of the most experienced and explosive backcourts in the country, if not the best. 

Borzello continued, “The questions will be up front, although Drew is bringing in some reinforcements to help undersized 4 Mark Vital. ESPN 100 big man Dain Dainja is a physical player inside, and Zach Loveday will provide size and depth. Could Tristan Clark return to form after a season spent mostly at less than 100%? That could be the difference for Baylor in 2020-21.”

The key for Baylor in the front court could be sophomore UNLV transfer Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (6-8, 245) who averaged 3.4 points and 3.5 rebounds for the Rebels as a true freshmen in 2018-2019. 

The Bears are also pursuing Yale grad transfer Jordan Bruner (6-9, 205). Bruner averaged 10.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs in 2019-2020.

ESPN: Virginia up, Kentucky down in college basketball's Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2020-21

3. Baylor Bears
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I think there's a clear tier drop entering next season after Scott Drew's team, with the Bears rounding out what I perceive as a definitive top three (in whichever order you prefer). Baylor should bring back four starters from last season's Final Four contender, assuming MaCio Teague returns to school and Jared Butler doesn't enter his name into the NBA draft. If both return, Drew will have his elite perimeter back: Butler, Teague and Davion Mitchell, an athletic two-way player who ignites the team's defense. Presbyterian transfer Adam Flagler (15.9 PPG) and ESPN 100 point guard L.J. Cryer add even more backcourt help. The questions will be up front, although Drew is bringing in some reinforcements to help undersized 4 Mark Vital. ESPN 100 big man Dain Dainja is a physical player inside, and Zach Loveday will provide size and depth. Could Tristan Clark return to form after a season spent mostly at less than 100%? That could be the difference for Bayor in 2020-21.