Baylor Basketball Projections and Preview for the 2011 Season

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Moretti]Anthony Moretti
The Baylor Bears finished the 2010-11 season with an overall record of 18-13. Baylor missed the postseason for the first time since 2007, but should bounce back this year with a strong recruiting class. Though the Bears had a disappointing last season, Lace Darius Dunn become the school and the Big 12's all-time leading scorer. The Bears also have a record of 91-47 spanning the last four seasons which is the best mark the school has achieved since way back in 1945-1950.
Last season, Baylor played tough at home. In the Big 12, they had a 7-9 mark and were eliminated in the first round of the tournament when they lost to Oklahoma. With Dunn leading the way, Baylor put up 69.5 ppg while shooting 47% from the floor. However, the bad news for Baylor is that Dunn will not be returning this season. The Bears will miss the 19.5 ppg that he contributed.
Yet, Baylor Basketball still has an impressive roster which will make them a serious contender this season. The Bears will be hungry to end their conference championship drought that extends all the way back to the Southwest Conference in 1950.
Though Dunn is gone, Baylor still has Quincy Acy, Anthony Jones and Perry Jones III. These are three of the best and most athletic players in the conference. Due to this, Baylor is considered to be one of the top 16 teams in the early polls.
Baylor's backcourt is led by, A.J. Walton. Walton put up 7.9 ppg and 4.7 assists per game last season. Walton will be joined by freshman Deuce Bello, sophomore Gary Franklin, sophomore Brady Heslip and junior Pierre Jackson. Among the new players, Heslip is considered as the best outside shooter and he is now playing for the Canada's Senior Men's National Team. Jackson was the 2011 NJCAA Division I Player of the Year and could give immediate help.
Baylor's frontcourt is still led by the team's top three players, Quincy Acy, Anthony Jones and Perry Jones III. Newcomer Quincy Miller was a very highly touted recruit and should contribute right away. Miller is the second top 10 recruit for Baylor following Jones III. Returning forward Cory Jefferson is also expected to contribute to the team after seeing some action overseas in a couple of European tours. To fortify the frontcourt of Baylor Basketball, seniors Fred Ellis and J'mison Morgan will also be returning this season.
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