Baylor Bears: NCAA Tournament Profile

Baylor Bears (24-11, 9-9 Big 12)- Baylor’s NCAA Tournament hopes looked to be dead in the water when the Bears started out 2-8 in the Big 12. But Baylor rallied to win 10 of its final 12 games, sweeping Oklahoma State and beating Texas, Oklahoma and Iowa State in the process. The Bears then advanced to the Big 12 title game to put a stamp on their tournament bid.

Senior Cory Jefferson (13.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg) leads the team in both scoring and rebounding. 7-1 sophomore Isaiah Austin is one of the most unique players in the country because he’s got big-man size and (incredibly) guard skills. He can shoot the 3 and drive the lane from the perimeter like a guard. Not that he should–he’s 7-1 for crying out loud–he should be developing his game under the basket.

Senior Brady Heslip is a tremendous three-point shooter, knocking down treys at a ridiculous 47% clip. If he gets hot, he can carry the Bears by himself. He’s part of an all-Canadian backcourt with guard Kenny Cherry (11.6 ppg), who leads the team at 5 assists per.

KEY STATS:

24th Rebounds per Game (38.7)

24th Three Point Percentage (39%)

46th Assists Per Game (15)