The Baylor Bears have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately. Despite a complete roster turnover, the team has been breaking records in a negative way. And as expected, the blame is falling squarely on head coach Scott Drew. But is it fair to put all the blame on him?
Drew has been at the helm of the Baylor basketball program since 2003 and has led the team to numerous successes. He has taken the Bears to the NCAA tournament eight times, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2010 and an Elite Eight appearance in 2012. He has also produced several NBA players, including Ekpe Udoh, Quincy Acy, and Taurean Prince.
However, this season has been a different story for Drew and the Bears. After losing their entire starting lineup from last year, expectations were low for the team. But no one could have predicted the disastrous start they have had. The Bears have lost their first five games, the worst start in program history. And to make matters worse, they have been breaking records for all the wrong reasons.
The team’s struggles have been evident on both ends of the court. They have been unable to find any rhythm on offense, shooting a dismal 38% from the field and 25% from three-point range. On defense, they have been equally as bad, allowing an average of 80 points per game. This is a far cry from the defensive prowess that the Bears have been known for under Drew’s leadership.
Naturally, the blame has fallen on Drew, and he has faced a lot of criticism from fans and media alike. Many have questioned his coaching abilities and have called for his job. But is it fair to put all the blame on him?
It’s important to remember that Drew inherited a program in shambles when he took over in 2003. The team was coming off a scandal involving the murder of one player by another, and the program was in disarray. Drew had to rebuild the team from scratch and has done an admirable job in doing so.
He has also faced numerous challenges throughout his tenure, including the tragic death of player Patrick Dennehy and the NCAA sanctions that followed. Despite these obstacles, Drew has managed to keep the program afloat and has even led them to their first-ever Big 12 championship in 2020.
Another factor to consider is the loss of key players from last year’s team. The Bears lost four starters, including All-American guard Jared Butler, to the NBA draft. It’s not easy to replace that kind of talent, and it’s unfair to expect the team to perform at the same level without them.
Furthermore, Drew made a controversial move by bringing in former NBA star James Nnaji as a freshman. Many criticized this decision, saying that Nnaji was not ready for college basketball and would be a liability for the team. But Drew saw potential in Nnaji and believed that he could help the team. Unfortunately, Nnaji has not lived up to expectations, and this has only added to the criticism against Drew.
But despite all the negativity surrounding the team, Drew remains positive and focused on turning things around. He has acknowledged the team’s struggles and has taken responsibility for their poor performance. He has also emphasized the need for the team to stick together and work hard to improve.
It’s important to remember that every team goes through rough patches, and the Baylor Bears are no exception. It’s unfair to put all the blame on one person, especially someone like Scott Drew, who has done so much for the program. Instead of calling for his job, we should be supporting and encouraging him and the team during this difficult time.
In conclusion, the Baylor Bears may be breaking records for the wrong reasons, but it’s not fair to put all the blame on Scott Drew. He has faced numerous challenges throughout his tenure and has always managed to come out on top. Let’s give him and the team the support they need to turn things around and get back to their winning ways. After all, that’s what being a true fan is all about.
