Joe Lunardi believes Baylor getting healthy will change March Madness seeding

Having won seven of their last eight, the Baylor Bears are quietly rolling as we start off February. Scott Drew’s team continues to improve, mature in some areas, and has even made additions, specifically the return this weekend of fifth-year senior Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua.

Combine all that and Joe Lunardi believes that, by Selection Sunday, Baylor could be at least a No. 2 seed. He thinks, although unlikely, they could very well be a No. 1 too. Playing in the Big 12 just makes things very difficult for the Bears but, as they get healthier and better, Lunardi thinks the path is at least there for them to achieve that.

“With Baylor closer to a full deck? I’m going to have them as a No. 3 seed (on Tuesday) in the next bracket update. I think that they can get to a No. 2 by Selection Sunday,” Lunardi said. “I don’t think a No. 1 is within range. (That’s) unless they really run the table and maybe win in the Big 12 Tournament. But that’s asking a lot.

“One of these elite teams in the Big 12 is probably going to have to win four games in four days instead of just three in three to take that championship. I don’t know how you survive that coaching against that quality of competition.”

After starting at an okay 10-5, things have really gotten going for the Bears in league play. They started 0-3 and have since rattled off that 7-1 stretch with the one loss being excusable as it came on the road against Texas.

A big part of Baylor’s success in this run, and all season really, has been what they’re doing offensively. They’re averaging 78.9 points per game, which is good for 32nd in the nation. The Bears are also posting a Top-15 offensive rating and then a Top-5 offense in adjusted efficiency per KenPom. They’ve also been better defensively and the return of an anchor like Tchamwa Tchatchoua will only help in that effort.

Baylor is slowly sneaking into the contender conversation with how they’re playing at the moment. Whether they remain in that discussion depends on how strong they finish within the Big 12’s regular season and conference tournament ahead of March 12th.