Oct. 17, 2006

Baylor has been projected to finish seventh in the Big 12 in 2006-07, according to the annual men's basketball preseason coaches poll released Monday.

The seventh-place projection is the highest for the Bears in the 11 Big 12 preseason polls (see list below). Baylor previous high selection came prior to the 2002-03 season when the league's coaches voted the Bears to finish eighth (Baylor finished in a 10th-place tie).

Kansas is the preseason favorite to win the conference title. The Jayhawks were a unanimous choice - receiving all 11 possible first-place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams).

Texas A&M earned the other first-place vote and was picked second with 109 points. Oklahoma State was chosen third with 97 points. Texas was selected to finish fourth. Kansas State, Texas Tech, Baylor and Missouri were next in the preseason selections. Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa State and Colorado rounded out the poll.

The majority of preseason college basketball publications have also projected Baylor to finish seventh in the Big 12. Five of six major publications have slotted the Bears No. 7 (Athlon, Blue Ribbon Yearbook, Street & Smiths, The Sporting News and USA TODAY) and the sixth chose Baylor ninth (Lindy's).

Expectations have risen for Baylor basketball as the program enters its fourth season under head coach Scott Drew. A young - nine freshmen and sophomores - but talented roster and the opportunity to play a full season has experts nationwide predicting a significant increase in wins at Baylor. The Bears return 10 players that account for 87 percent of last season's scoring and more than 84 percent of last year's rebounding totals.

Baylor opens its season Nov. 4 when it hosts Texas A&M-Commerce in an exhibition game at noon at the Ferrell Center. The regular season tips off Nov. 11 with a 7 p.m. contest against Angelo State at the Ferrell Center.

2006-07 BIG 12 PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Team (1st place)   Pts1.   Kansas (11)*   1212.   Texas A&M (1)  1093.   Oklahoma St.   974.   Texas  955.   Kansas State   766.   Texas Tech 687.   Baylor 608.   Missouri   449.   Oklahoma   4210.  Nebraska   3711.  Iowa State 2312.  Colorado   20* unanimous selection

BAYLOR IN BIG 12 PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Season Poll    Conf. Finish1996-97 12th*   9th1997-98 10th    t5th1998-99 11th    12th1999-00 12th    t8th2000-01 11th    8th2001-02 9th t10th2002-03 8th t10th2003-04 12th    11th2004-05 12th    12th2005-06 12th    12th2006-07 7th* media poll (no coaches poll taken)