NCAA Basketball Baylor BearsBig 12 BasketballMarch Madness

2014 NCAA Tournament Profile: Baylor Bears

Baylor basketball

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 24-11

RPI: 30

BPI: 36

Conference: Big 12 Conference

How They Qualified: At-Large Berth

Region: No. 6 seed in West

 

Entering Big 12 play, the Baylor Bears were considered one of the best teams in the country. They did beat Kentucky and Colorado in their non-conference schedule and had a record of 12-1. Then, Baylor found out how tough the conference was going to be this season.

The Bears lost their first conference game, won the next and then lost five in a row. A four-game win streak down the road saved this team from yet another NIT appearance. Instead of competing in the infamous NIT –Bears won it last year– they will be competing in the big boy tournament this season (NCAA tournament).

 

What You Need to Know:

Leading Scorer: Cory Jefferson (13.5 ppg)

Leading Rebounder: Cory Jefferson (8.4 rpg)

Leading Passer: Kenny Chery (5.0 apg)

Bad Losses: Texas Tech  

Good Wins: Colorado, Kentucky, Oklahoma State (twice), Iowa State, Oklahoma, Texas

 

Basically any win in the Big 12 was considered a good one this season. This was easily one of the best conferences in college basketball and that should benefit teams like Baylor in the dance.

This is a team with a very talented starting five that includes players like Isaiah Austin, Cory Jefferson and Kenny Chery. However, opposing teams cannot forget about Brady Heslip. He has made a three-pointer or two in his day –has 112 on the season. Heslip is shooting 47.3 percent from behind the arc this year.

Jefferson may lead the team in scoring, but three other players are averaging 11 or more points per game and are very capable of going off.

The Baylor Bears are dancing!

 

Trevor Lowry is a Senior Writer and Copy Editor at www.RantSports.com. If you’re a tweeter feel free to follow him @TheTrevorLowry or add him to your network on Google.

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