Can the Baylor Bears Basketball Team Reclaim Their Championship Title This Season?

As I sit here watching the Baylor Bears warm up for their upcoming game, I can't help but reflect on their incredible championship run just two seasons ago. That 2021 NCAA tournament victory wasn't just luck—it was the culmination of years of strategic recruiting and player development under Coach Scott Drew's leadership. Now, with several key players from that championship team having moved on to the NBA, the question on every fan's mind is whether this current squad has what it takes to reclaim that glory. Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years, I've seen championship teams rise and fall, but there's something special about this Baylor program that makes me believe they could absolutely make another deep tournament run this season.

Looking at their current roster construction, I'm particularly excited about the backcourt depth. The Bears have managed to bring in some exceptional talent, including RJ Abarrientos, whose court vision reminds me of some of the great Baylor point guards of recent years. In Sunday's preview game, Abarrientos demonstrated why he's considered one of the most promising guards in the Big 12, dishing out what I counted as 8 assists while committing only 2 turnovers. His ability to control the tempo reminds me so much of Jared Butler during that championship season—that calm demeanor under pressure that you just can't teach. When defenses collapse on him, he finds the open man with precision passes that often lead to high-percentage shots.

What really stood out to me in their recent performances, though, was the frontcourt presence of Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. At 6'9", he brings both size and mobility that causes matchup problems for opposing teams. I watched him grab 12 rebounds in last week's game against Texas Tech while adding 15 points—a solid double-double that demonstrates his consistent production. His defensive versatility allows Baylor to switch on screens effectively, something that's become increasingly important in modern college basketball. Having covered the Bears for multiple seasons now, I can confidently say that Ganuelas-Rosser's development has been one of the most pleasant surprises this year. His improvement from last season is remarkable—he's increased his scoring average from 7.2 points per game to 13.8 this season, while his rebounding has jumped from 5.1 to 8.4 per contest.

Then there's Jordan Heading, whose shooting prowess gives Baylor that offensive spark they sometimes need when the offense stagnates. I've always been a sucker for pure shooters, and Heading's quick release and ability to score from anywhere on the court makes him particularly dangerous in late-game situations. In Sunday's preview game, he knocked down 4 three-pointers, finishing with 18 points while playing just 28 minutes. His efficiency from beyond the arc—currently shooting 42.3% this season—creates spacing that opens up driving lanes for his teammates. Watching him move without the ball reminds me of how NBA sharpshooters like JJ Redick created opportunities within offensive systems.

The Bears' defensive identity, which was the cornerstone of their 2021 championship, appears to be returning to form. Through their first 18 games this season, they're holding opponents to just 65.3 points per game while forcing an average of 14.2 turnovers. Those numbers are strikingly similar to their championship season stats, where they limited opponents to 64.7 points and created 15.1 turnovers per game. Their defensive intensity, particularly in half-court sets, has been impressive to watch develop throughout the season. The way they communicate on switches and help defense shows a team that's growing more comfortable with each other every game.

Of course, the road to another championship won't be easy. The Big 12 conference remains arguably the toughest in college basketball, with Kansas, Texas, and TCU all presenting significant challenges. Having watched Baylor navigate conference play over the years, I know how grueling that schedule can be on a team's physical and mental stamina. The Bears will need to maintain their health, particularly in the frontcourt where their depth isn't as robust as I'd like to see. Another concern I have is their free-throw shooting—they're currently converting just 68.5% from the line, which ranks them 245th nationally. In close tournament games, that deficiency could prove costly.

What gives me confidence, though, is the program's culture that Coach Drew has built over his tenure. Having visited their practices and spoken with players off the record, I can attest to the family atmosphere and mutual accountability that permeates the program. Players genuinely seem to care about each other's success, and that chemistry translates to unselfish play on the court. Their assist-to-field-goal-made ratio of 62.4% demonstrates this beautifully—they're consistently making the extra pass to find the best shot rather than settling for contested attempts.

As we approach tournament season, I believe Baylor has all the necessary components to make another championship run. Their guard play is elite, their frontcourt is improving weekly, and their defensive intensity is returning to championship levels. The experience of players like Abarrientos, Ganuelas-Rosser, and Heading provides leadership that younger teams often lack in high-pressure situations. While nothing is guaranteed in March Madness, this Baylor team has shown me enough to believe they can absolutely cut down the nets again. Their path won't be easy, and they'll need some breaks along the way, but the foundation for another special season is clearly there. Having watched countless championship teams throughout my career, I can recognize when a team has that magical combination of talent, coaching, and chemistry—and this Baylor squad certainly checks those boxes.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-23 09:00