In the Big 12 Conference coaches' preseason poll, Baylor received two first-place votes.
One of those came from Texas Tech coach Pat Knight, and his reasons were convincing.
"They got everybody coming back," said Knight, who opens conference play against No. 23 Baylor at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Waco. "They got three very good guards, the type of guards we're trying to get here, that break you down and also score."
Actually, Baylor (12-2) has a dangerous foursome of guards in seniors Curtis Jerrells (16.7 points per game) and Henry Dugat (13.8 points per game), sophomore LaceDarius Dunn (15.9 points per game) and junior Tweety Carter (11.2 points per game).
It is a core that gives Baylor a legitimate chance to win the conference.
"We have more experience," Baylor coach Scott Drew said. "Curtis Jerrells, we have a lot of seniors and a veteran crew, and this is the last go around, and I think they really wanna do well. I think they all like one another, so I think they all want to help one another."
Their similar playing styles give defenses problems because none of them can be guarded with one preventative technique in mind.
If a defender tries to play lock-down defense, anyone in the backcourt can identify a lane and drive the ball, where he can hit the layup or dish for a spot-up three. After that happens a few times, a defense may tend to sag toward the paint, allowing them to knock down a quick jumper.
"We have (Alan) Voskuil, who is a very good shooter, not great off the dribble," Knight said. "So you can play him a little different, but then (John) Roberson is good at both, so they're a lot like having three Robersons out there, who can shoot it and drive it. That's what worries me."
Fortunately for Tech (10-5), who lost both games against Baylor by double digits last season, there is a bit more depth at the guard position with the addition of Nick Okorie and Tyree Graham. However, the Red Raiders still will have their hands full with this bunch from Waco.
"I think we'll match up well with this team considering we can start three guards as well," Voskuil said. "We can go small or quick, or put two guards and go really big."
Both defenses are at the bottom of the conference, so whoever can string a few stops together may be able to open up a lead.
With seven teams averaging more than 80 points in the Big 12 - Tech and Baylor are two of them - Bears' coach Scott Drew said he believes the teams are "very similar to the football style that we have in the Big 12, a lot of very explosive offenses."
It does not end with the guards though.
Baylor has a decent frontcourt with inside presence Kevin Rogers, who averages 12.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
With back injuries to forwards Trevor Cook and Damir Suljagic, Tech would be shorthanded if it was not for 7-foot center Esmir Rizvic returning to action. The senior was granted an extra semester of eligibility, and adds a defensive pillar inside just in time for the frontcourt-heavy Big 12 squads. His first test will be protecting the paint against the likes of Jerrells and Dunn.
Even though Rizvic has been working out all season, Knight said he does not know what to expect considering how inconsistent every player on his team has been this year.
"I'm hoping it's a good defensive player, hoping he's not another player that's up and down," he said. "I've got enough of those now. I think it gives us a defensive presence. He's very good help side. He's gonna be hard to shoot over, getting behind the post players. I think putting him in the middle of our zone is gonna help. It's just good to have another big body."
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