Baylor Men's Basketball: Ranked Or Underdog?

what is baylor men

As of April 2025, Baylor Men's Basketball team received 6 votes in ESPN's 2024-25 College Basketball Rankings. However, they did not make the top 25.

Baylor Men's Basketball Rankings

Characteristics Values
ESPN's 2024-25 Rankings 6

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Baylor men's basketball ranking in 2024-25

Baylor Men's Basketball has had a strong start to the 2024-25 season, with both the men's and women's teams nationally ranked in the top 12. The men's team began the season ranked No. 8 nationally in both the AP and Coaches polls, while the women's team secured the No. 12 spot. Baylor is one of only 12 schools in the country with both men's and women's teams ranked in the top 25, a distinction the university has consistently achieved over the last decade.

The men's team has a challenging schedule ahead, facing two top-25 teams away from home early in the season, including a 2021 national championship rematch. The women's team, led by coach Nicki Collen, also has a tough road, potentially facing multiple ranked teams in a Bahamas tournament before Thanksgiving and playing No. 5 UCLA in the Coretta Scott King Classic on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January 2025.

According to ESPN's 2024-25 Men's College Basketball Rankings, Baylor received 6 votes, placing them just outside the top 25. However, with new contributors joining Scott Drew's team, there is optimism for a successful season.

With top players and high expectations, Baylor Men's Basketball is aiming for a strong performance this season, hoping to maintain their national ranking and compete with the nation's top teams.

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Baylor's ranking compared to other teams

As of April 8, 2025, Baylor Men's Basketball team received 6 votes in ESPN's rankings, placing them just outside the top 25. The team is ranked similarly to other teams receiving votes, such as Kansas with 6 votes, UC San Diego with 7 votes, and Colorado State with 9 votes.

However, Baylor has fallen from the rankings, whereas teams like Memphis and Missouri, who received 16 and 24 votes, respectively, have also dropped from the rankings but received more votes than Baylor.

Compared to other teams in the rankings, Baylor trails those in the top 25, such as South Carolina, projected as the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and Purdue, whose guard Braden Smith will return for his senior season.

Baylor's ranking is also influenced by the transfers of players to other teams, such as Alabama's Derrion Reid, who entered the portal and impacted the rankings of other teams.

Overall, as of April 8, 2025, Baylor Men's Basketball is ranked just outside the top 25, receiving 6 votes, and is comparable to other teams like Kansas and Colorado State in terms of votes received.

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Previous rankings of Baylor's men's basketball team

As of April 2025, Baylor received 6 votes in ESPN's 2024-25 Men's College Basketball Rankings. Previously, Baylor was ranked 16th in the country in the 2020-21 season. They went on a 21-game winning streak, achieving a 23-2 record, and rose to a season-high ranking of 2nd in the nation. They ended the season ranked 9th in the AP poll and 10th in the Coaches poll.

In the 2021-22 season, Baylor won the Big 12 regular-season championship and earned a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament. They defeated Gonzaga to win the national championship, finishing the season ranked 1st in the nation.

In the 2022-23 season, Baylor struggled with injuries and fell out of the top 25 rankings, receiving only a few votes in the AP and Coaches polls. They failed to make the NCAA Tournament but earned a bid to the NIT, where they lost in the second round.

The 2023-24 season saw Baylor return to the top 25 rankings, reaching as high as 12th in the nation. They earned a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament but were upset in the second round, ending the season ranked outside the top 25.

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Player transfers affecting rankings

Player transfers can have a significant impact on a college basketball team's performance and rankings. Transfers have become an essential aspect of college basketball, with teams utilising the transfer market to fill out rosters and gain a competitive edge. Losing players to transfers can also affect a team's performance negatively.

Several factors influence the impact of player transfers on rankings. Firstly, the quality of the players transferring in or out is crucial. Higher-rated recruits tend to have more flexibility in choosing their transfer destinations, often moving to universities closer to their hometowns. Teams with stable coaching staffs tend to retain players, while coaching changes can lead to a higher number of transfers. Additionally, players' preferences for specific schemes or playing styles can influence their transfer decisions, as not all teams employ the same strategies.

The impact of transfers on team performance and rankings is evident in various examples. For instance, Baylor University's men's basketball team, which currently holds six votes in ESPN's rankings, has experienced the departure of players like Matthew Mayer, who transferred to Illinois. The addition or loss of key players through transfers can significantly shape a team's success, influencing their ranking and performance in tournaments.

Notable transfers, such as those of Gillespie, Quaintance, Freeman, and Dioubate, can significantly strengthen their new teams. Gillespie, a transfer from Belmont to Maryland, excelled as a starting point guard, earning third-team All-Big Ten honours. Quaintance, at only 17 years old, showcased his defensive prowess, earning a spot on the Big 12's All-Defense team. Freeman, a Division II prospect from Lincoln Memorial, stands at 6-foot-7 and possesses athleticism and a strong 3-point shooting ability. Dioubate, known for his exceptional motor, playmaking, and rebounding skills, is expected to bolster the Kentucky team's toughness and offensive rebounding rate.

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Player retention and its impact on rankings

As of April 2025, Baylor received 6 votes in ESPN's 2024-25 Men's College Basketball Rankings.

Player retention is a critical aspect of team success and rankings in basketball. A team's ability to maintain its core players and sustain program continuity can have a significant impact on its performance and ranking. When a team experiences high player retention, it benefits from stability, improved team chemistry, and a stronger program culture.

Effective player retention strategies are essential to fostering a cohesive and competitive team. One key strategy is cultivating opportunities for leadership development within the program. When players are empowered to exhibit leadership qualities, they feel a stronger sense of ownership and investment in the program. This, in turn, encourages retention, as players feel they have a meaningful role and can influence the team's outcome.

Open communication is another vital aspect of player retention. When players feel heard and valued within the program, they are more likely to remain committed. Providing all players with defined roles, whether focused on playing position, offensive or defensive attributes, or leadership responsibilities, also contributes to higher retention rates. Players who understand their place within the team and feel valued are more likely to be satisfied and positively engaged with the program.

Additionally, establishing a strong program culture is essential. This involves developing a shared vision that is collectively defined by the players, coaches, and administrators. When players feel that they are part of a cohesive unit with a clear direction, they are more likely to remain committed to the program.

By implementing these retention strategies, basketball programs can improve their chances of sustaining a competitive team and achieving better rankings. While other factors, such as individual player skill and development, also influence rankings, a team's ability to retain its core players provides a solid foundation for success.

Frequently asked questions

The Baylor Men's Basketball team is currently ranked 6th in the nation, according to ESPN's 2024-25 rankings.

I cannot find information on whether the Baylor Men's Basketball team has ever been ranked first.

I cannot find information on the rankings of other Texas colleges to compare with Baylor.

Unfortunately, I could not find information on the rankings of men's college basketball teams in the same conference as Baylor.

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