INDIANAPOLIS – After an 18-year journey that led to an NCAA championship, people wanted to focus on the Baylor journey.
Nobody intruded Monday night after the 86-70 win over Gonzaga by asking men’s basketball coach Scott Drew just what he planned to do for an encore.
Don’t worry. The questions will come soon enough. Betting sites are already listing the favorites for next season and way-too-early Top 25s are being posted, despite the significant uncertainties of the transfer portal and the NBA draft.
For Baylor, coming off a 28-2 season, things are a little more clear-cut in terms of what’s coming back. How that translates for 2021-22 still looks a little fuzzy in the crystal ball.
First of all, sharp-shooting guard MaCio Teague and Mark Vital, who had eight offensive rebounds against Gonzaga, are seniors and have indicated they’re unlikely to take advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA.
Also add junior guards Jared Butler and Davion Butler into the departure list, although neither has publicly announced their decision. Butler was named the most outstanding player of Final Four and is likely to be taken in the second half of the first round. He’s done everything he set out to do at Baylor and he can leave with no regrets.
Ditto for Mitchell, who almost certainly played his way into the lottery with a strong two-way game.
So expect a drop-off? It may be inevitable but the Bears could still be formidable, as contenders both in the Big 12 and for the Final Four. Remember, Baylor and Kansas are the only power conference teams to have won at least 18 games every year since 2008 and been ranked No. 1 at some point for three of the last five seasons.
While a ton of talent appears to be exiting, enough intriguing pieces remain. Guard Adam Flagler, the transfer from Presbyterian, turned the dagger 3-pointer into an art form in the tournament and could blossom with extended minutes. Matthew Mayer ran hot and cold throughout the season but when he was on, he showed a next-level offensive game and guard skills at 6-9.
Up front, 6-10 Flo Thamba and 6-8 energy guy Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua are great role players.
Drew has moved away from elite recruits to experienced transfers who can develop in the system.
As ESPN Stats & Info noted, Baylor is just the third NCAA champion since 1979 without a McDonald’s All-American on the roster, joining Maryland in 2002 and UConn in 2014.
That changes next year, when Baylor adds three top 100 recruits, as ranked by the 247Sports composite, led by 6-8 Kendall Brown, ranked as the nation’s 15th best recruit.
Don’t discount Drew delving into the transfer portal again. Five of his eight rotation players this season started at another school.
And a national championship can be a great tool to attract talent.
