Baylor Bears Forward Perry Jones Suspended

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The Baylor Bears (18-2, 7-9) star freshman Perry Jones was suspended for tonights game against the Oklahoma Sooners (13-17, 5-11) and could be done for the season.

According to many media outlets, Jones received improper benefits and the NCAA looks to end his season.

Jones III averaged 13.9 points, and was the second-leading rebounder with 7.2 per game. He was a big part of Baylor's long 2-3 zone that featured two other players with 7-foot plus wingspans.

Without a frontcourt force, Baylor's tournament hopes could be diminished. Especially, seeing that the Bears are on the outside looking in.

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Baylor's LaceDarius Dunn Suspended for Next Three Games

Posted by CoHoops Josh Dhani

According to the Associated Press, Baylor Bears' guard LaceDarius Dunn will be suspended for the next three games of the season. He was suspended and will return and be eligible to play for his team on the 22nd of November. The announcement was made by the school today before the team's season-opener.

Dunn was the team's leading scorer last season. His suspension was due to his arrest for domestic violence, allegedly beating his girlfriend and breaking her jaw. Dunn's girlfriend asked that all charges would be dropped, however. She has Dunn's son, who is three years old.

In the school press release, they said he was suspended under team-rules. Dunn has not played any games whatsoever, including the pre-season and the exhibition games.

The school will comment no longer on this situation.

Look forward to seeing Dunn return and show off a solid performance as a sorry-note to Baylor.

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Baylor Being Investigated by the NCAA

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The month of October hasn't been polite to the Baylor Bears. During October, the Bears witnessed news that their senior guard LaceDarius Dunn was suspended indefinitely pending an aggravated assault charge.

Most media outlets don't expect to see Dunn back on the court in a Baylor uniform.

Now, yesterday according to reports by Foxsports.com, Baylor is being investigated by the NCAA for their involvement with Hanner Perea, La Lumiere School (IN) star.

According to reports, Assistant Coach Mark Morefield sent "dozens" of text messages to Perea's AAU and High School coaching during July, while they were coaching events; that is against NCAA rules.

Baylor Head Coach Scott Drew, and Morefield both declined to comment on the situation. However, Coach Morefield was reportedly already suspended and not allowed to recruit on the road in July.

The NCAA is investigating this situation and will visit Waco later this month.

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LaceDarius Dunn Suspended Indefinetly

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Today the Baylor Bears were selected to finish No. 4 in the Big 12 pre-season poll. LaceDarius Dunn and Perry Jones was a huge reason for the coaches thoughts.

The Bears looked set with Dunn as their leader in hopes to have another successful season in Waco.

However, the Bears got bad news today about their senior leader, and conceivably starting guard.

Dunn was arrested today for aggravated assault against his girlfriend. Dunn reportedly punched his girlfriend in the face breaking her jaw.

The assault took place September 27th, and Dunn turned himself in today to Waco Police. As a result, Baylor suspended their guard indefinitely following his arrest today.

Dunn was the leading scorer for the Bears last season with 19.6 points and talled 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assist, and 1.4 steals per outing.

Baylor Bear officials have decided not to comment on the situation at hand.

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Big 12 Pre-Season Poll, New No. 1

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The Big 12 conference was conceived the best basketball conference in America last season. You had Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Texas, and many other Big 12 teams playing at a high level.

This season, nothing changes. You will have these teams playing with the same intensity; however, the Big 12 will embrace a new leader of the conference, if you ask the coaches.

In a poll where you cannot select your own team the Kansas State Wildcats received 10-first place votes, while the Kansas Jayhawks followed with two. Kansas State is considered to enter the season as a top-10 team. The most likely reason is senior guard Jacob Pullen.

The biggest shocker is Baylor at No. 4. The Baylor Bears returned LaceDarius Dunn, and Quincy Acey. They also acquired J'Mison Morgan, and brought in one of the best recruits in school history with Perry Jones.

My Big 12 sleeper team is the Colorado Buffaloes. Colorado returned both Alec Burks, and Cory Higgins. Last season, these two collectively kept the Buffs' competitive with teams.

This dynamic duo will certainly be a force in the Big 12. Not to mention, the Buffs' added size to their frontcourt with the 2010 recruiting class.

This year’s team to watch is the Texas Longhorns. The Longhorns have reserves that are ready to step up such as J’Covan Brown and Jordan Hamilton, and was able to lure in Tristian Thompson and Corey Joseph.

However, the Longhorns do not possess a bench, nor has their point guard problems been solved. The Longhorns will need to prove to teams that they are worthy of the No. 3 ranking in the Big 12.

Last season, the Longhorns reached the No. 1 ranking in all of College Basketball. But, after the loss to Kansas State the Longhorns went downhill. To prevent that this year, the Longhorns need to establish a point guard, and post presence.

Nonetheless, the Big 12 conference will be very competitive this season. The coaches have predicted 8-of-13 Big 12 champions and could do the same this year.

Here is the conference complete coaches poll:

1. Kansas State Wildcats (10) - 119 points
2. Kansas Jayhawks (2) - 109 points
3. Texas Longhorns - 99 points
4. Baylor Bears - 96 points
5. Missouri Tigers - 82 points
6. Texas A&M - 69 points
7. Texas Tech Red Raiders - 52 points
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys - 51 points
9. Colorado Buffaloes - 46 points
10. Nebraska Cornhuskers - 31 points
11. Oklahoma Sooners - 27 points
12. Iowa State Cyclones - 11 points

Check out Collegiate Hoops Big 12 Preseason Power Rankings

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Quincy Miller and Deuce Bello to Baylor?

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The Baylor Bears have been all over the highly-rated recruits since acquiring Perry Jones, the 6-foot-10 forward that can play almost every position on the court.

This year, Baylor is after Quincy Miller and Deuce Bello. Miller and Bello, current High School teammates have been paired throughout the recruiting process. At a point, the Louisville Cardinals seemed to be a favorite and ideal situation for the two to coexist.

However, it almost seems as if Baylor is the leader now. Miller and Bello was both very excited about the visit to Waco, not to mention, they have relationships with Stargell Love, Jones, and most of the basketball team.

It would not be surprising to see the two commit soon after their visit to Baylor. Angel Nunez, Louisville's newest member to the 2011 recruiting class, solidifies the notion that Baylor could be the best possible place for the two.

If both of these athletes were to commit they could possibly play with Love when the two arrive on campus. That would form a rotation that would be favorable to any team in the country.

Not to mention, they will have the chance to play in the toughest conference in College Basketball. The Big 12 helps form future NBA prospects, and could work the same magic for the two.

Nonetheless, Louisville is still in the running for the two prospects. But, Baylor seems to be the leader.

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J'Mison Morgan Will Have A Big Effect for Baylor

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

If you ask most, the biggest player in the Big 12 this season will be Kansas State, for obvious reasons. The Wildcats returned more than they lost. However, the biggest improvement will be the team from Waco in Baylor.

Baylor returned LaceDarius Dunn, and Quincy Acey. They also brought in a top-tier freshman talent in Perry Jones from Duncanville, Texas.

With that roster, the Bears were said to compete with every team in the Big 12. However, after a major transfer, the Bears can set their eyes on a Big 12 championship.

J'Mison Morgan, a former center from UCLA, was granted the eligibility to play right away for the Bears during the 2010-11 season.

Morgan, who has two years of eligibility left, will come in and pose a physical post threat.

Looking into his previous statistics, he doesn't seem like the biggest acquisition for the Bears. However, with his 6-foot-10 frame, and ability to play physical in the post, the Bears have themselves a solid post presence.

With Jones and Morgan boasted in the frontcourt, and Acey and Dunn, the Bears have a lot to look forward to next season.

If the Bears establish a second-unit to commend their starters, they will have a chance to play for a Big 12 championship. 

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Quincy Miller and Deuce Bello Not a Lock at Louisville?

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Quincy Miller a 6-foot-9 forward and Deuce Bello a 6-foot-3 shooting guard, both were present at the Louisville Cardinals season opener against the Kentucky Wildcats. Miller to Kentucky died once Anthony Davis Jr, and Kyle Wiltjer decided to join their 2011 class.

Bello has always been a fan of Louisville. Before the Kentucky offer was too flattering to pass up for Miller, Bello liked Louisville. Now, since Miller will not be attending Kentucky, the Cardinals are the only team that makes sense for the two.

You may have been the lucky person to catch Miller "throwing up the L" at the Louisville game, but it's reported that the two will not rush their decision.

Baylor could be the next destination for the two. Baylor, with one commit in the 2011 class, could use two athletes like Miller and Bello. Coach Scott Drew has done a good job at luring in recruits. Check the 2012 class that features Isaiah Austin or 2013, which includes improving center Kyle Wilson.

Coach Drew could work his magic and lure the two away from Louisville. 

Nonetheless, Miller and Bello will continue to be a hot recruiting topic until they announce their commitment. Miller and Bello collectively are key assets to any College Basketball program lucky to attain the two.

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Why Isaiah Austin Will and Should Pick Baylor

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Photo credits to NbaDraft.net

The Baylor Bears have recently had their fair share of talented frontier forwards. They acquired Ekpe Udoh a transfer from Michigan and newly acquired McDonald's All-American Perry Jones.

With the notion that Perry Jones will be a one-and-done player, the Bears will need to look for another frontier force.

So far in the 2011 class, the Bears acquired a verbal commitment from small forward Quevyn Winters with a lot of others still considering the program.

However, in the 2012 class, the Bears seem to be frontrunners for a very special player.

The buzz around Isaiah Austin this summer has been everything but bad—unless you mention the 'dunk face' by LeBryan Nash. Either way it goes, Austin has looked so good this summer that many scouts peg him as one of the best in the 2012 class.

He has the ability to shoot the basketball, ranging to almost 20 feet. By the way, did I mention he was 7-foot tall?

He has beneficial length. He almost has the skill set of a guard. He sees the whole floor when operating. His ability to pass the ball and see over the defense helps his game a lot. His ball-handling skills work well outside of the paint when driving to the cup.

On defense, he can snatch down rebounds and lead the break. Not to mention, block, alter and defend well by keeping his hands up in the post.

He has the decision to bring that to Arizona, Baylor, Connecticut, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

Anonymous sources and fans feel he is leaning towards Baylor more than any school. I agree with the fans when I say Austin should choose Baylor.

Baylor's Head Coach Scott Drew received the job after a scandal and had to rebuild the program. However, that didn't seem like a problem because he has pulled together three straight 20-win seasons with the Bears. Not to mention, he has brought in Stargell Love a great guard prospect along with Jones who is the highest rated recruit in history.

There is also this thing we call improvement as well. Udoh the former Baylor Bear spent two years with the Michigan Wolverines. If I was to add the stats up for both of those years and compare them to the year he had last season, it wouldn't look better.

Last season, Udoh jumped from scoring around 5.5 points a game to 13.9; from rebounding the ball 4.5 times to 9.8; to dishing out .8 assist per game to 2.7, you get the point?

Joining Baylor will not only help the Bears but Austin as well. Under Coach Drew, Austin will have a chance to blossom on a National Stage and do what he pleases. As you can see Coach Drew loves athletic frontier players that can play basketball.

Udoh was the star last year, Jones will be the star this year and once the 2012 recruiting is done, if Austin does chose Baylor he will have the chance to be the star.

Don't get too excited Baylor fans; he does still like Kentucky and the other programs he is considering. We'll never know until 7:45 Eastern Time.

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It's Time To Take Notice Of The Baylor Bears

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Last season, the Baylor Bears were able to compete in one of the toughest basketball conferences. They came away (11-5) in Big 12 as well as (24-6) overall.

They competed with Kansas State in a game that could have gone either way. They also gave the Jayhawks all they could handle.

So once the Big 12 tournament came around teams understood they couldn't subside on the talent of the Bears. They advanced in the Big 12 tournament before being defeated by the Wildcats for the second time on the season.

But once the NCAA tournament came around the Baylor Bears were granted a No. 3 seed. They continued to win games and battle their way to an Elite Eight berth.

All along, Kansas and Kansas State stood atop of the Big 12. But once the tournament came around, Baylor was one of the last Big 12 teams standing. If you want to get technical, Baylor was the last Big 12 team standing.

After their hard-fought loss against the eventual National Champion-Duke Blue Devils, the Baylor Bears looked very solid heading into next season.

They lost Ekpe Udoh but brought in Perry Jones who is said to be the highest rated recruit in Baylor history. The Bears will have to do without Tweety Carter in the backcourt as well. However, they did bring in Stargell Love to fill the void.

Now with Jones, Love, LaceDarius Dunn along with Quincey Acy the Bears should be considered threats this year.

Their roster definitely catches the eye. They have depth at the guard position with Dunn and Love. Not to mention, with Acy on the wing it'll create matchup problems for the opposition.

Jones is Mr. Versatility with tremendous upside. You can place him on the wing or in the post and still receive steady contributions.

He has the ability to handle the ball, shoot as well as post up. Jones is the main reason Baylor caught my attention.

Once you combine the 2010 recruits with the experience players you see versatility and depth. Most importantly, the Bears have experienced players that I assume will step up and lead the team.

It's time to take notice in the Baylor Bears. They have done a great job of constructing a great roster and it'll pay off this winter.

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