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Baylor basketball: 2019-20 season review and 2020-2021 early preview

By Mike Phillips

WACO, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 22: Jared Butler #12 of the Baylor Bears in the first half at Ferrell Center on February 22, 2020 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
WACO, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 22: Jared Butler #12 of the Baylor Bears in the first half at Ferrell Center on February 22, 2020 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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WACO, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 25: Jared Butler #12 of the Baylor Bears passes the ball against Cartier Diarra #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at Ferrell Center on February 25, 2020 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
WACO, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 25: Jared Butler #12 of the Baylor Bears passes the ball against Cartier Diarra #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the second half of a NCAA basketball game at Ferrell Center on February 25, 2020 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Top Players

Jared Butler

The Bears built a deep and talented roster but their most important player was sophomore guard Jared Butler. One of the most promising developments for Butler was a more consistent jump shot, which helped him increase his scoring to a team-high 16 points per game. Butler was the Bears’ most dynamic playmaker this season and could make another leap forward as a junior.

Freddie Gillespie

While Butler was Baylor’s most dynamic scorer Freddie Gillespie was the team’s grinder in the paint. Gillespie was a difference-maker on the defensive end of the floor, leading the team in rebounding and blocked shots while also contributing nine points a night. The Bears had the nation’s seventh-best scoring defense and Gillespie was a huge factor in that effort.

Devonte Bandoo

A talented team requires key role players and Devonte Bandoo fits that description to a T for Baylor. Bandoo was an excellent marksman from beyond the arc, knocking down 38.5 percent of his three-point attempts to provide some excellent floor spacing on offense. Having a capable shooter like that made it easier for other Bears to create offensively.

MaCio Teague

Even though MaCio Teague has had higher scoring totals in prior years for Baylor he was still a valuable contributor for the Bears on offense. Teague’s points dipped due to a rough year from the perimeter, but he still found a way to shoot 40 percent from the floor, showcasing some ingenuity on the offensive end. If he returns for his senior year Teague has the potential to bounce back and lead the team in scoring once again.