Big 12 men’s hoops coaches rank BU even with defending national champs

A survey of Big 12 Conference men’s basketball coaches released yesterday by the league reveals that, more than ever, teams around the conference fear playing Baylor.

Asked to rank the league’s 12 teams, head coach Scott Drew’s peers put the Bears on even ground with defending national champion Kansas. The coaches’ poll results had Baylor tied for third in the Big 12 with the Jayhawks, only narrowly trailing preseason favorite Oklahoma and runner-up Texas. Two of the conference’s other 11 coaches (besides Drew; coaches aren’t allowed to vote for their own team) picked the Bears to win their first Big 12 title. Prior to this season, Baylor had never been picked to finish higher than seventh.

The Lady Bears, meanwhile, were picked to finish among the league’s top four teams for the fifth straight season. Baylor received one first-place vote and placed fourth behind Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa State after finishing second in the league last season.

We’re a month away from the Bears’ season-opening exhibition against Tarleton State and the Lady Bears’ exhibition against the Houston Jaguars, but the excitement for both programs is already building. Don’t miss out; order your season tickets today!

Sic ’em, Baylor basketball!