Both Baylor basketball squads among nation’s top 10 in ESPN’s ‘way-too-early rankings’

Yes, it’s true — no victories, let alone titles, are earned in college basketball in the month of July. That may be what teams are building toward as they go about their offseason workouts and recruiting, but it’s way too early to think about rankings. Right? Okay, maybe not.

With the caveat in the very title, ESPN’s annual “Way-Too-Early” rankings are out — and both Baylor’s men and women are ranked in the Top 10. Head coach Scott Drew’s team came in at No. 6, while Nicki Collen’s squad is ranked No. 9 nationally.

It’s been a productive offseason for both programs as they’ve built on strong ’23-’24 seasons by continuing to draw top-tier talent to Waco. Here are a few reasons it’s alright to be excited in July for the season ahead:

The Baylor men may have had to bid adieu to two first-round draft picks for the first time in program history last month, but the pipeline is still full of talent. Guards Jayden Nunn and Langston Love highlight the list of returning players from last year’s squad, and they’re joined by some of the top transfer portal additions in the country in Jeremy Roach and Norchad Ormier.

Roach, a veteran guard from Duke, earned All-ACC honors last year and has extensive postseason experience; Ormier, a forward from Miami, averaged a double-double a year ago in points and rebounds. (The pair accounts for two of the Big 12’s top five transfer additions, according to 247 Sports.) Incoming freshman V.J. Edgecombe turned heads in the Summer Olympics qualifying games, standing out even against NBA competition for his native Bahamas, and is widely projected to give the Bears’ yet another first-round pick when his time at Baylor is complete.

On the heels of their first Sweet 16 berth under Collen, the Baylor women filled a major need in drawing one of the top post players in the transfer portal. Aaronette Vonleh, a 6-foot-3 forward, comes to Baylor from Colorado, providing a strong post presence in addition to the squad. Another newcomer, New Zealand native Waiata Jennings, was one of the top juco transfers available after an all-America season last year when she finished in the top five nationally in scoring.

And as for returning talent? Sarah Andrews, Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, Bella Fontleroy, Jada Walker, Yaya Felder and Jana VanGytenbeek provide the team with six of their eight most reliable scorers from a team that was a shot and a stop away from the Elite Eight last season.

So, yes, it’s way too early. But it’s safe to say the Foster Pavilion will host its share of top matchups that end in a Baylor victory when the season begins in just about four months.

Sic ’em, Baylor Basketball!