Baylor Bears fans, you’re facing Norfolk State Spartans in the NCAA Tournament

The Baylor Bears are the defending national champions. And they’re going into March Madness with the belief that they can become the first back-to-back champions since Florida in 2006-07.

The Bears have been depleted by injuries but coach Scott Drew has adjusted and gotten them in position for a high seed. They are solid on both ends of the court, averaging 76.5 points per game and limiting opponents to 63.6 points per game.

The Bears (26-6) had a short stay in the Big 12 tournament, being upset by Oklahoma, but they’ll be ready for another March run. In nine NCAA Tournament appearances under Drew, Baylor has advanced to the second weekend five times.

The Norfolk State Spartans (24-6), who won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, are led by senior guard Joe Bryant Jr. and his 16.8 points per game and 3.3 assists per game.

#1 Baylor Bears vs. #16 Norfolk State Spartans

Thursday, March 17

East Region, Fort Worth

What to look for: Baylor has become a perennial threat in the Drew era, and this season should be no different. The Bears have a veteran backcourt headlined by James Akinjo and Adam Flagler and freshman forward Jeremy Sochan looks like a star in the making.

The Bears will be a matchup problem for several teams, especially if Flagler is feeling it from 3-point range. And players such as Matthew Mayer and Kendall Brown have the ability to impact the game in a number of ways.

Why Baylor will advance: A veteran backcourt with Akinjo and Flagler usually bodes well in the tournament. And, as one of the top seeds playing in nearby Fort Worth and potentially San Antonio in the second weekend, Baylor will have plenty of fan support and an easier path to return to the Final Four.

Why Baylor will be one and done: Hey, a 16-seed has knocked off a 1-seed before. It’s happened once – as the great Lloyd Christmas would say, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.” The Bears should avoid an early exit but they are a smaller lineup after losing starting forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua to a season-ending knee injury.

Expert speak: “I think Texas Tech is the best defensive team in the league. I think Kansas is the best offensive team in the league. I think Baylor is the best combination of the two. What Baylor has benefited from, obviously they’re better with those guys who got hurt, but they’ve reinvented themselves with a smaller lineup. They’re one of the top eight teams. They’re in that bucket that I would say are capable of making a Final Four.” –ESPN college basketball analyst Chris Spatola