Baylor Projected to Dance

**alaskaguy** · 06-30-2007, 12:45 AM

50. Baylor. Look for the Bears to sneak into the field with the seventh and final Big 12 berth. Seven of the top eight contributors are back (including all five starters) and incoming freshman Lacedarius Dunn, who has been ranked the nation's fifth-best shooting guard, is expected to make an instant impact.

**mj4cy** · 06-30-2007, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by alaskaguy

50. Baylor. Look for the Bears to sneak into the field with the seventh and final Big 12 berth. Seven of the top eight contributors are back (including all five starters) and incoming freshman Lacedarius Dunn, who has been ranked the nation's fifth-best shooting guard, is expected to make an instant impact.

Just because starters are coming back does not mean they will be any good. I'm not saying they'll improve, but returning players does not mean that much sometimes. Look at our O-line the last couple of years.

**bellzisu** · 06-30-2007, 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by alaskaguy

50. Baylor. Look for the Bears to sneak into the field with the seventh and final Big 12 berth. Seven of the top eight contributors are back (including all five starters) and incoming freshman Lacedarius Dunn, who has been ranked the nation's fifth-best shooting guard, is expected to make an instant impact.

OK.... Am I the only one that is seriously confused by this thread. It sounds like we are talking basketball here. Considering they got one of the best guards in the nation as a recruit. And all five starters are back... But when did basketball suddenly have a seventh and final Big 12 berth in the Tourney. Sounds almost like an automatic bid placing seventh. Since when has the seventh place team been a lock for the tourney and why are they talking basketball this early...

**alaskaguy** · 06-30-2007, 07:10 AM

The article is about basketball and is projecting the teams to make the NCAA tournament.

**ekim121** · 06-30-2007, 09:28 AM

I think they have a good chance of making the tournament. Bruce is a good guard, one of their wing players was a really highly rated recruit (I believe he may have been McDonald's All American) and they have a solid big guy. Certainly you need more than just a few guys, but Drew has been building a solid team there since he showed up.

**ce1** · 06-30-2007, 09:30 AM

They've got one of the best collections of returning guards in the nation. Curtis Jerrells and Aaron Bruce are starters for just about anyone in the B12, and Henry Dugat and Tweedy Carter are pretty talented as well, though both are undersized for the B12. I'd be surprised if they don't finish 4-6 this year in the Big 12, especially with a likely falloff of a&m and OSU in the B12 South.

Where they hurt is near the basket. Kevin Rodgers should get a lot more rebounds for his size, and he doesn't finish very well. Mamadou Diene has talent, but is just too raw from a basketball skills perspective. And it goes downhill quickly after those two. This team will get eaten up by teams with talented big men.

To me, Curtis Jerrells is one of the most exciting players in the B12. I love his game, and i love watching him play.

**cyfan964** · 06-30-2007, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by ce1

To me, Curtis Jerrells is one of the most exciting players in the B12. I love his game, and i love watching him play.

Bingo. He lit us up last year. I know we weren't great, but there is no doubt that that kid is a baller. Sweet stroke.

**BryceC** · 06-30-2007, 09:55 AM

I think they have a good chance of making the tournament as well... but I'll believe it when I see it. Drew hasn't impressed me so far.

**j4state** · 06-30-2007, 10:11 AM

I don't see them in the tournament. You don't go from 11th to in the Dance in one season, especially when you're Baylor and no one respects you yet. NIT first.

**ce1** · 06-30-2007, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by joskvig

I don't see them in the tournament. You don't go from 11th to in the Dance in one season, especially when you're Baylor and no one respects you yet. NIT first.

I hear you on that. But, i'd say the talent level difference between 6-11 in the Big 12 was razor thin. Saying that Mizzou is much better than Baylor because they finished 7-9 and Baylor finished 4-12 would not be right. I watched both teams play a lot last year, and i'd say that Baylor was right there with Mizzou in talent. They just played in the Big 12 South.

**AirWalke** · 06-30-2007, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by joskvig

I don't see them in the tournament. You don't go from 11th to in the Dance in one season, especially when you're Baylor and no one respects you yet. NIT first.

I was just going to say that before I ran across your post. NIT first, then the big dance. No one makes that big of a jump.

**LindenCy** · 06-30-2007, 10:45 AM

A lot of people make that jump every year. I am not saying Baylor will make it, but we went from 15-15 to 32-5 and the elite 8 in one year. It happens.

**iowast8fan** · 06-30-2007, 12:45 PM

Of topic from Baylor.....7 teams in the dance would be very impressive for the big 12. I hope it is right. Of course, I'd rather see Iowa State in there.

**Cyclonepride** · 06-30-2007, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by LindenCy

A lot of people make that jump every year. I am not saying Baylor will make it, but we went from 15-15 to 32-5 and the elite 8 in one year. It happens.

They do have talent, but I cannot see a Marcus Fizer or Jamaal Tinsley on that team.