Baylor Basketball's 5 Keys to Dominating the Big 12 Conference This Season

Walking into the Ferrell Center this season, you can feel a different kind of electricity in the air—a sense that this Baylor squad is on the verge of something special. As someone who’s followed Big 12 basketball for over a decade, I’ve seen teams rise and fall, but what Scott Drew has brewing this year feels like more than just a hot streak. It’s a system, a mentality, and frankly, it’s a joy to watch. When I look at how this team is built, five key factors stand out as the pillars of what could be a truly dominant run through one of the toughest conferences in the country.

First and foremost, let’s talk about balance. I’ve always believed that relying on one superstar is a risky strategy in college basketball—especially in the grind of the Big 12. Look at what happened with Converge in the PBA recently: Justin Arana put up 19 points and 11 rebounds, but it was the fact that five players scored in double figures that really stood out. That’s the kind of offensive distribution Baylor is emulating this year. When you have multiple guys who can hurt you on any given night, defenses can’t key in on one player. It opens up driving lanes, creates open threes, and keeps everyone engaged. I love watching this Baylor team move the ball because it’s unselfish, it’s smart, and it leads to high-percentage shots. Against Texas Tech last week, we saw four Bears in double digits by halftime. That’s not a fluke—it’s by design.

Another area where Baylor is separating itself is defensive intensity. I’ve always been a bit old-school in my thinking: defense wins championships. And this Baylor team is buying into that philosophy. They’re switching seamlessly, closing out on shooters, and creating turnovers that lead to easy buckets in transition. Against Kansas, they forced 16 turnovers and converted those into 22 points. That’s the kind of stat that makes me nod in approval. It’s not just about steals or blocks—it’s about the collective effort. Every guy on the floor is communicating, helping, and recovering. When you watch them play, you can see they take pride in getting stops. It’s contagious, and it demoralizes opponents.

Rebounding, especially on the offensive glass, has been another huge advantage. I can’t stress enough how important second-chance points are in tight games. Baylor is crashing the boards with purpose, and it shows. Against Iowa State, they grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, which led to 18 second-chance points. That’s the difference between winning and losing in a conference where games are often decided by single digits. Justin Arana’s double-double for Converge—19 points and 11 boards—is a perfect example of how one player’s effort on the glass can lift the entire team. Baylor might not have one dominant rebounder, but they have multiple guys who attack the glass relentlessly. It’s a team effort, and it pays off.

Then there’s the depth. I’ve seen so many teams fade in February because they only play seven or eight guys. Not this Baylor squad. They go ten deep, and the drop-off is minimal. When your second unit can maintain or extend a lead, it allows your starters to stay fresh for crunch time. Against Oklahoma, Baylor’s bench outscored the Sooners’ reserves 34-12. That’s a massive advantage over the course of a long season. It also gives Coach Drew flexibility to adjust to different styles and matchups. If a guy is having an off night, there’s someone ready to step in and contribute. That kind of roster construction is rare, and it’s something I genuinely admire about this team.

Finally, let’s talk about leadership and poise. In close games, experience matters. Baylor has veterans who have been through the battles, and it shows in how they handle pressure situations. Against West Virginia, down by five with three minutes left, they didn’t panic. They executed, got stops, and made free throws. That composure is what separates good teams from great ones. I’ve always believed that the best players make everyone around them better, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing from this group. They trust each other, they communicate, and they never seem rattled.

Putting it all together, this Baylor team has the ingredients to not just compete but dominate the Big 12. Balance, defense, rebounding, depth, and leadership—they check all the boxes. As the season progresses, I expect them to only get better. The Big 12 is a gauntlet, but Baylor has the talent, the system, and the mindset to come out on top. From where I stand, this could be one of those special seasons that fans remember for years to come.

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