Baylor Men's Basketball Picked Fourth in Preseason Big 12 Coaches’ Poll

IRVING, Texas – The Big 12 coaches voted Baylor men’s basketball fourth in the 2023-24 preseason poll, announced Friday by the conference.

With coaches not permitted to vote for their own teams, Baylor received 137 points, trailing only Kansas (168), Houston (153) and Texas (143). TCU (113) rounds out the top five, followed by Kansas State (106) and Iowa State (95).

Former Scott Drew assistant, Grant McCasland, and Texas Tech were picked to finish eighth (80), ahead of West Virginia (70) and Oklahoma State (54).

Three of the four newcomers dot the bottom four of the conference, led by Cincinnati (55), while Oklahoma (54), BYU (29) and UCF (14) round out the league.

This marks the 13th time in the last 16 seasons that BU has been picked to finish in the top half of the league. The Bears were picked in the lower half of the league in each of the conference's first 12 seasons. 

Drew enters his 21st season at Baylor in 2023-24. He holds a 440-244 career record over 21 years as a Division I coach, including a 420-233 mark at BU. Over the past 15 seasons, Drew has led Baylor to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, five Sweet 16 berths, three trips to the Elite Eight and the 2021 National Championship.

BU brings back five letterwinners from last season, including Big 12 honorable mention selection Jalen Bridges. Joining him will be BU’s third-straight Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year Ja’Kobe Walter. Alongside Walter are several newcomers ready to make an impact, including 2023 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year RayJ Dennis. Freshmen Miro Little, Yves Missi and VCU transfer Jayden Nunn also figure to play a big role for the 2023-24 Baylor squad.

Baylor opens the 2023-24 season on Tuesday, Nov. 7, with a marquee matchup against the Auburn Tigers at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. The game is slated for an 8 p.m. CT tipoff on ESPN.

Fans interested in tickets for the upcoming Baylor men’s basketball season can fill out the Baylor Ticket Interest Form here. Those interested in putting their name on the season-ticket waitlist can do so here.

2023-24 BIG 12 PRESEASON POLL

1. Kansas — 168 (12)

2. Houston – 153 (2)

3. Texas – 143

4. BAYLOR – 137

5. TCU – 113

6. Kansas State – 106

7. Iowa State – 95

8. Texas Tech – 80

9. West Virginia – 70

10. Oklahoma State – 57

11. Cincinnati — 55

12. Oklahoma — 54

13. BYU — 29

14. UCF — 14

BAYLOR IN BIG 12 PRESEASON POLLS (First-Place Votes)

1997 – 12th

1998 – 10th

1999 – t-11th

2000 – 12th

2001 – 11th

2002 – 9th

2003 – 8th

2004 – 12th

2005 – 12th

2006 – 12th 

2007 – 7th

2008 – 9th

2009 – t-3rd

2010 – 10th

2011 – 4th

2012 – 3rd

2013 – 2nd (1)

2014 – 3rd

2015 – t-6th

2016 – 5th

2017 – 5th

2018 – 5th

2019 – 9th

2020 – 2nd (1)

2021 – 1st (7)

2022 – 3rd

2023 – 1st (5)

2024 – 4th