2009-10 Baylor College Basketball Predictions
Written November 13, 2009 by Black Widow
The Bears had a lot of expectations last year, but a 24-15 record overall and a 5-11 record in Big 12 play was certainly a disappointment. They did reach the finals of the NIT and a runner-up finish salvaged their season. They were picked to finish 3rd in the Big 12 last year, but wound up with a 9th-place finish. This team did make a run in the Big 12 tournament, reaching the championship game before losing to Missouri. The Bears recorded a Top 25 recruiting class this season and will get the help of Michigan transfer Ekpe Udoh, but they lose their best player from last season in Curtis Jerrells who averaged 16.3 PPG. They also lose Kevin Rogers and his 12.6 PPG and 7.6 RPG, along with Henry Dugat and his 9.4 PPG. Baylor is listed at +1000 to win the Big 12 in 2009-10!
Backcourt:
LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter return to the backcourt, which gives the Bears a solid nucleus here running the show. Dunn has scored 1,00 points in two seasons at Baylor, and Carter figures to top that plateau early this season. Dunn made his way into the starting lineup in the final 11 games last year, while Carter started all 36 games a year ago. The two combined to make 192 3-pointers last year. Perhaps Drew’s biggest signee was Nolan Dennis, a Top-50 recruit who was headed to Memphis before John Calipari decided to leave for Kentucky. Other notable signees out of high school are Mark McLaughlin and A.J. Watson, along with Duran Diaz who transferred from Grambling State.
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Frontcourt:
The Bears are very young in the frontline, but Epke Udoh coming over from Michigan should help solve that problem. The 6-10 Nigerian made 31 starts in 2 seasons at Michigan, blocking 92 shots last season. Josh Lomers is a 7-foot center who will back up Udoh. Back from last season are Quincy Acy, Anthony Jones and Fred Ellis, all who saw significant action coming off the bench. Incoming freshmen are Cory Jefferson, Dragan Sekelja and Givon Crump.
Widow’s Prediction: 8th place in the Big 12
After entering Big 12 play in the Top-25 last season, the Bears went on to go 2-12 over their next 14 games and quickly played themselves out of the NCAA Tournament picture. Senior leadership last season had Baylor playing their best basketball in the Big 12 tournament, and after reaching the championship game there and the NIT championship game, Baylor has some confidence heading into this season. This team is headed in the right direction, winning 45 games in the last 2 seasons compared to the 36 games they won in the previous 4 seasons under head coach Scott Drew. We feel a third-straight 20-win season is possible, but Baylor is relying on too many freshman to be a serious contender in the Big 12 this year.
Black Widow releases NCAA basketball picks that win year in and year out. We finished last season on a 92-71 (56%) NCAAB Run in 2008-09 and we’ll pick up right where we left off last year.
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