Brian Flinn:
Future150 National Recruiting Analyst. Covering high school basketball nationally.
Waco, TX (Future150) -- The Big Dance is finally here and while everyone would like to cut down the nets, there can only be one champion. That being said, there is always the chance that the next season could be better than the last. With that in mind, Future150 would like to introduce "The Next Step", a segment dedicated to breaking down each program's recruitng class as they bow out of the tournament; because there's always next season.
Next up are the Baylor Bears.
For the second straight season, Baylor was upset by a double-digit seed in the opening round of the tournament. The main difference between this year and last is the fact that Taurean Prince, Lestor Medford and Rico Gathers won't be returning.
Baylor has done a good job of developing forwards in the past and will hope to do so with their two man class. Juco forward Nuni Omot has the size and length at 6-foot-9 to be a difference maker in the Big XII. He also shot 31% from beyond the arc this season, and could be used as a strech four man.
Meanwhile, Mark Vital has been committed to the Baylor Bears from quite some time. A Future150 Alum, The 6-foot-5 wing forward is a fantastic slasher and freak athlete. Vital has improved as a perimeter player and will need to continue to do so to maximize his talents.
As far as next season goes, expect a slip from the Bears. Replacing Gathers and Prince is no easy task, and neither recruit will be able to replace either player on their own. Losing Medford also means that Scott Lindsey or Future150 Alum, Wendell Mitchell will take the reins as point guard next season.
The Big XII has proven to be one of the top leagues in the country, so don't be surprised if Baylor ends up closer to the bottom of the league than the top.
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