Baylor MBB Season Preview: Top Incoming Transfers For 2024-2025
As No. 8 Baylor MBB's season opener on Nov. 4 against No. 6 Gonzaga approaches, it's time to start breaking down the roster, plus the biggest storylines and questions heading into the 2024-2025 season.
Today, with a little help from hoops experts Ashley Hodge and Kendall Kaut, we'll assess the best incoming transfers on this year's roster.
In the coming weeks, we'll highlight the top freshman, the top wildcards and the biggest questions surrounding Scott Drew's squad. Last week, we highlighted the top returners.
Norchad Omier: (31 GP, 30.6 MIN, 17.0 PTS, 10.0 REB, 1.2 AST, 1.5 STL, 0.8 BLK, 2.3 TO, 55.2 FG%, 35.3 3P%, 75.0 FT%)
- Hodge: "He's the most valuable player this year due to the lack of depth inside. He's a double-double factory, but he has to stay out of foul trouble, so I could see him picking his spots defensively. He often gets called for fouls for being too strong."
- Kaut: "Omier is likely to be Baylor's best player. His scoring ability and possibilities on the defensive end will make him vital to this team. He must avoid foul trouble, as the drop-off to the next guy up is too great."
At 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, Miami transfer Norchad Omier (5Sr.) is a double-double machine and a tank inside the paint.
He earned Second-Team All-ACC honors in 2023-2024 and led the Hurricanes in points (17.0), rebounds (10.0), steals (1.5) and blocks (0.8). Omier attempted 68 3-pointers and shot 35.3% from deep while hitting 75% of his free throws. He was also a key contributor on the Miami team that made the Final Four in 2022-2023.
While freshman phenom Yves Missi was one of the most athletically gifted big men to ever play for head coach Scott Drew, Omier gives the Bears a veteran who is physically imposing inside and has the most polished offensive game for a Baylor big man in recent memory.
Omier talked with the media toward the end of September, highlighting the 'Culture of Joy' as why he chose to transfer to Baylor this offseason.
"After meeting the coaches and the players coming down to visit, it was a pretty easy decision," he said. "The 'Culture of Joy' is real. I met the guys, talked with the coaches and saw how passionate they were about basketball and how much they cared about you on and off the court — it was so easy to come here."
Jeremy Roach: (35 GP, 32.7 MIN, 14.0 PTS, 2.5 REB, 3.3 AST, 1.1 STL, 1.4 TO, 46.8 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 84.4 FT%)
- Hodge: "He has to give Baylor a consistent presence at point guard. Scott Drew needs him to be a 12/5 guy consistently and be a lock-down defender. He shot 43% from deep at Duke last year. He's capable of being a 50/40/90 guy and making winning plays at the end of games."
- Kaut: "Roach will start the year at point guard. With his skillset at Duke, he can also play some off the ball. Look for him to have a big year from the perimeter. He needs to be much better on the defensive end than Baylor's non-Jayden Nunn guards were last year."
Duke guard Jeremy Roach (5Sr.) was the perfect pickup for Drew and Baylor this summer. He provides the Bears with consistent double-digit scoring abilities, lock-down defense and veteran leadership.
During his four seasons with the Blue Devils, Roach played in over 130 games, totaled over 1,000 points and was a team captain in the last two years; he also played in the 2021-2022 Final Four.
In 2023-2024, Roach averaged 14.0 points per game, 3.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds and shot at a 43% clip from three-point range. Against the Bears in Madison Square Garden on Dec. 20, the 6-foot-2 guard dropped 18 points and collected two steals in the 78-70 Duke victory.
At Baylor, Roach will primarily play guard point guard but can also play off the ball while Rob Wright III (Fr.) or Jayden Nunn (Sr.) run the offense. Roach will give Drew an "attack dog" on defense, similar to former guards James Akinjo and Davion Mitchell.
"I couldn't be more blessed and satisfied with the people we were able to attract to the program," Drew said in late September. "We brought in people who have won at the highest level, been to Final Fours, been successful in college, been with great programs and been with great coaches; they offer that experience and expertise. Plus, they can share with the young guys just what a special situation they have at Baylor."
Roach, who chose Baylor this offseason because of National Championship aspirations, talked about making his mark on this year's squad with Ashley Hodge in an interview this offseason.
"You're only playing with this team one time," Roach said. "You're never going to get this back, so why not go all out? Why not go after it? If you see somebody in practice not doing what they're supposed to be doing, tell them – don't wait."