[JNixonParticipant]

#8- Baylor Bears

Frontcourt- This group loses a valuable guy in Ekpe Udoh, who could score from the triple-threat or post, pass extremely well, and he was an elite shot-blocker in the zone D Baylor ran. Insert the hype machine, Perry Jones. Jones is a 6’11 225 Fr. SF/PF/C at the college level, and he’s probably the most naturally gifted player in college basketball right now. Jones has the potential to take college basketball by storm as a Fr., and he has the potential to lead the NBA in scoring down the line too. Jones can score at all 3 levels (he’s more effective the closer he is to the rim though), is an outstanding pure athlete, has very good handles for a 6’11 guy, can rebound alright, and he is an above average shot-blocker. Still, he isn’t all that polished a prospect yet, and he lacks aggressiveness and a motor right now. He has SCARY potential and talent, but I expect him to be a 12 ppg or 13 ppg scorer who gets 6 or 7 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg and 1 bpg. He seems like a 6’11 Rudy Gay to me, but he also has similarities to Gerald Green too. Yikes. Beside him is a 6’10 200 SG/SF/PF in Anthony Jones, who plays A LOT like his namesake (no relation). Jones has the handle, perimeter skills, upside, athleticism and length that intrigues me. Jones was a 6.5 ppg scorer last year, an underachiever relative to his talent, and a guy who floats around a lot more than he should during games, but I think he should be an 11 ppg scorer next year. He has good scorer potential in the long-term, and he’s an under-the-radar prospect. He is effortless offensively to a fault right now, but he will make “wow” plays a good bit too. He reminds me of Omri Casspi, to give an idea of how he plays. The PF/C spot also has “The Cookie Monster” in 6’7 235 Quincy Acy. The 6th man is an athletic and tenacious bulldog who dunks literally everytime he can, has a monster wingspan (seems to be around 7’3-ish), and routinely makes momentum-changing plays. He has no true offensive skills outside of dunking, but he provides CRAZY intensity when he’s on the floor. He’s getting a few NBA looks after opening eyes in some camps this off-season, even without much true talent. The C position has question marks though with Acy and Perry Jones figuring to see time, but they don’t have an established starter unless they start Acy as the C, which wouldn’t be as good as having him play the 6th man role. I think the very seldom-used Soph. Dragen Sekelja (1.4 ppg in 2.8 mpg, 15 games) will take on the “Lomers-role” of a goofy starting big man who provides fouls, garbage baskets, and post D. This group has VERY intriguing talent, and I think Anthony Jones is in store to be a prospect a lot of people will be intrigued by, Acy will have another valuable impact as the energizer bunny, and Perry Jones should have a nice, but probable relatively limited impact. I think even though Sekelja sucks, he’ll just play in a Mamadou Diene/Josh Lomers role, so it won’t matter much.

Backcourt- Tweety Carter was extremely underrated nationally. He went from a guy who could shoot and score in bunches as an off-ball guy in his 1st 3 years, to a guy who ran the PG spot extremely effectively and could score and shoot well while doing it. He will be missed, as he also was a leader and great general last year. Replacing him is a Soph. in the 6’1 190 A.J. Walton (3.8 ppg, 2 apg, 1.2 spg in 17 mpg), who looks very ordinary as a Big 12 PG. Walton was not impressive to me as a Fr. He’s got OK athleticism, size and quickness, but he’s not a great pure PG, is only OK as a shooter, and he has a mediocre IQ for a lead guard. He also made Baylor noticeably worse when he was on the floor against good teams last year in his combo guard role (I look for that to improve though obviously in extended time and more experience). He could prove me wrong, but he seems very mediocre as a player to me. He’ll just need to take care of the ball, score efficiently when his number is called, and not get in the way too much. He’ll be teamed with the INCREDIBLY lethal SG LaceDarius Dunn, who is a shortlist All-American candidate right now. Dunn, at 6’4 200, is one of my favorite basketball players out there (19.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.4 spg on 45% from the field and 42% from deep in 32 mpg). He scores like most people blink. His jump shot is cash, and it is AMAZING that he can get it off even when contested closely with his very awkward (and fun to watch) shooting form. Dunn plays like the crafty old man at the YMCA, which is always cool to me. While he’s very heralded as a college player, he has some questions about his projection to the NBA. He’s not exactly quick or athletic for NBA standards, not more than mediocre as a ball-handler, is on-dimensional, and the zone D Baylor runs doesn’t really do justice for projecting him in the NBA. Still, his offensive punch is crazily great. He reminds me of Reggie Williams of the Golden State Warriors if I had to think of a comparison, but he also plays alot like Marcus Thornton too. The backup SG will be 6’6 Soph. Nolan Dennis, who has good athletic ability and a nice jump shot that he’ll show in limited time behind Dunn. Anthony Jones will see limited time at SG too, if Baylor throws out a huge lineup like they did at times last year. Walton’s backup will be the athletic Fr. PG Stargell Love, who will be a fan favorite in Waco with his speed and fearlessness slashing to the bucket. He really has an extra gear in his engine, and he figures to see 15-18 mpg next season as the backup. Him, Walton, and Dunn could all play on the floor at the same time too. The presence of Dunn makes this group very good, and even though Walton will probably be a basic caretaker and steady guy next year, that’s all they’ll need. He doesn’t have to be Tweety Carter for them to succeed, but some guys (like P.Jones) will be effected in terms of production by his mediocrity.

Overview- Hard to find a more underrated coach than Scott Drew, but he’s finally starting to get the credit he deserves. The losses of Udoh and Carter are relevant, but with all the frontline talent, size, and length and a lethal offensive player like Dunn, this team could be an Elite 8 or Final 4 level squad..

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Perry Jones #1 overall draft pick next year!!!!!!!!!!

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Perry Jones #1 overall draft pick next year!!!!!!!!!!

[JNixonParticipant]

He’ll have a chance, but I’m not going to bet on it lol. Hard to draft someone 1st overall who wasn’t even the best player on his team

[JNixonParticipant]

He’ll have a chance, but I’m not going to bet on it lol. Hard to draft someone 1st overall who wasn’t even the best player on his team

[Lotto StudParticipant]

His size alone will get him the #1 pick, not even mentioning his high skill set for his build.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

His size alone will get him the #1 pick, not even mentioning his high skill set for his build.

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

I must admit I admire your ability to restrain yourself when it comes to projecting stats. Too many people on here get ahead of themselves and predict someone like Perry Jones will average 25 ppg. I think 13 and 6 or 7 is very realistic.

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

I must admit I admire your ability to restrain yourself when it comes to projecting stats. Too many people on here get ahead of themselves and predict someone like Perry Jones will average 25 ppg. I think 13 and 6 or 7 is very realistic.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

They’re going to really miss Carter & Udoh..So i would’nt start them off in the top 10..Maybe 12 to 15..

Perry is a superior talent..sometimes guys with his skills cant get teammates to play at their level all the time..And with no veteran point guard to keep the reigns on Perry from trying to do too much..And trying to better his NBA Draft position..

Its going to be interesting to see if Perry will try to get his teammates involved at 1st before getting his..like all superstars do…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

They’re going to really miss Carter & Udoh..So i would’nt start them off in the top 10..Maybe 12 to 15..

Perry is a superior talent..sometimes guys with his skills cant get teammates to play at their level all the time..And with no veteran point guard to keep the reigns on Perry from trying to do too much..And trying to better his NBA Draft position..

Its going to be interesting to see if Perry will try to get his teammates involved at 1st before getting his..like all superstars do…

[Toronto16Participant]

Perry Jones is definitely the most intriguing player in this draft. He could be Kevin Garnett or Marvin Williams.

[Toronto16Participant]

Perry Jones is definitely the most intriguing player in this draft. He could be Kevin Garnett or Marvin Williams.

[Demarcus OnealParticipant]

Even though they will miss Udoh i think they have Jones coming in and Quincy Acy and Anthony Jones to fill the void but the loss of Tweety Carter will hurt the most

[Demarcus OnealParticipant]

Even though they will miss Udoh i think they have Jones coming in and Quincy Acy and Anthony Jones to fill the void but the loss of Tweety Carter will hurt the most

[JNixonParticipant]

I agree. Carter is the main loss I’m worried about. Udoh can be replaced by committee

[JNixonParticipant]

I agree. Carter is the main loss I’m worried about. Udoh can be replaced by committee

[OhCanada-Participant]

They will win alot of games until Tournement time unless they establish a go-to guy. The athletisism they possess is scary, but unless they can establish a true leader, which I think Dunn can be they wont be moving past the elite eight. We could see 4 first rounders on this team if everyone plays to their potential.

[OhCanada-Participant]

They will win alot of games until Tournement time unless they establish a go-to guy. The athletisism they possess is scary, but unless they can establish a true leader, which I think Dunn can be they wont be moving past the elite eight. We could see 4 first rounders on this team if everyone plays to their potential.

[billykParticipant]

Balyors zone is gonna be a problem, considering all the length and athletcism they will have…

[billykParticipant]

Balyors zone is gonna be a problem, considering all the length and athletcism they will have…

[Demarcus OnealParticipant]

they have a go to guy his name is LaceDarius Dunn the probable Big 12 player of the year

[Demarcus OnealParticipant]

they have a go to guy his name is LaceDarius Dunn the probable Big 12 player of the year

[Author]

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