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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1 align="right" style="text-align:right"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-decoration:none">BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – Oct. 18, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1 align="left" style="text-align:left"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-decoration:none">Baylor MBB Ranked No. 8 in Preseason AP Top 25<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<h2 align="left" style="text-align:left"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;font-style:normal">Ninth time in last 12 years Bears have been ranked in AP preseason poll</span></b><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;font-style:normal"><o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">For more information contact:
</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">David Kaye, 254-709-5147,
<a href="mailto:David_Kaye@baylor.edu">David_Kaye@baylor.edu</a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">NEW YORK –
</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Baylor men’s basketball is ranked No. 8 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, the Associated Press announced Monday. This marks the second-highest preseason ranking in program history, trailing
only the No. 2 ranking the Bears had entering their 2020-21 National Championship season.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Baylor garnered 992 points in the poll, trailing only Gonzaga (1,562), UCLA (1,459), Kansas (1,427), Villanova (1,332), Texas (1,315), Michigan (1,255) and Purdue (1,213). The
Bears were immediately followed by Duke (963) and Kentucky (894) rounding out the top 10.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Illinois (861) is ranked No. 11, followed by Memphis (831), Oregon (775), Alabama (713), Houston (694), Arkansas (673), Ohio State (581), Tennessee (563), North Carolina (547),
Florida State (381), Maryland (294), Auburn (267), St. Bonaventure (238), Connecticut (161) and Virginia (125).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Bears will face three preseason top-15 ranked teams during non-conference play. Baylor hosts No. 4 Villanova on Dec. 12, travels to No. 13 Oregon on Dec. 18 and plays another
road game at No. 14 Alabama on Jan. 29. Combined with the Big 12’s home-and-home games against No. 3 Kansas and No. 5 Texas, Baylor will play five games against preseason top-five teams.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">BU also will play Stanford (Nov. 20) and Arizona State (Nov. 24) in non-conference play, with the latter game coming in the first round at the Battle 4 Atlantis. Baylor will
face either VCU or Syracuse in the second game at Battle 4 Atlantis, followed by a matchup against No. 22 Auburn, No. 24 Connecticut, Michigan State or Loyola-Chicago. Michigan State received the most votes of any team not in the preseason AP Top 25.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Bears have now been ranked in nine of 12 preseason AP Top 25 polls since 2010-11. Previous Baylor preseason AP Top 25 rankings were No. 16 in 2010-11, No. 12 in 2011-12,
No. 19 in 2012-13, No. 25 in 2013-14, No. 22 in 2015-16, No. 24 in 2017-18, No. 16 in 2019-20 and No. 2 in 2020-21.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Baylor returns seven letterwinners from last year’s National Championship squad. BU welcomes back Flo Thamba, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Matthew Mayer, Adam Flagler, LJ Cryer,
Zach Loveday and Jordan Turner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Bears welcome two transfer guards and a trio of highly-recruited freshmen. James Akinjo (Arizona) and Dale Bonner (Fairmont State) bring experience to the Baylor backcourt,
while Kendall Brown, Langston Love and Jeremy Sochan form the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history. Additionally, Dain Dainja is eligible after redshirting last season.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Mayer was named to the six-player Preseason All-Big 12 team, while Akinjo was an honorable mention and Brown was projected as Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Akinjo and Flagler
earned honorable mention on The Athletic’s preseason All-America squad. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Head coach Scott Drew enters his 19<sup>th</sup> season at Baylor in 2021-22. He holds a 390-226 career record over 19 years as a Division I coach, including a 370-215 mark at
BU. Drew’s teams have combined to post a 334-146 record over the last 14 seasons, recording a 27-10 record over 12 postseason appearances in that span.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" align="left" style="text-align:left"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Season tickets and mini plans are now available, and single-game tickets will go on sale to Bear Foundation members on Tuesday and to the general public on Thursday. Single-game
tickets will be dynamically priced for the 2021-22 season, with prices adjusted for each game in real-time based on market demand or opponent. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early to secure seating.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Follow @BaylorMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for updates throughout the year.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">2021-22 PRESEASON AP TOP 25<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">1. Gonzaga<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">2. UCLA
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">3. Kansas<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">4. Villanova<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">5. Texas<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">6. Michigan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">7. Purdue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">8. BAYLOR<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">9. Duke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">10. Kentucky<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">11. Illinois<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">12. Memphis<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">13. Oregon<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">14. Alabama<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">15. Houston<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">16. Arkansas<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">17. Ohio State<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">18. Tennessee<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">19. North Carolina<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">20. Florida State<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">21. Maryland<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">22. Auburn<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">23. St. Bonaventure<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">24. Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">25. Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Others receiving votes:
<b>Michigan State</b> 87, Indiana 41, USC 30, Arizona 26, Virginia Tech 25, <b>Oklahoma State</b> 25, Xavier 22,
<b>Texas Tech</b> 17, Richmond 13, Rutgers 11, Colorado State 11, LSU 7, Belmont 7, San Diego State 5, St. John's 5, Mississippi State 5,
<b>Syracuse</b> 5, Drake 4, Colorado 4, BYU 3, Notre Dame 3, Louisville 3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">* - Potential 2021-22 regular-season opponents in bold<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">BAYLOR ALL-TIME PRESEASON AP TOP 25 RANKINGS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">2010-11 – 16<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">2011-12 – 12<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">2012-13 – 19<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">2013-14 – 25<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">2015-16 – 22<sup>nd</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">2016-17 – 24<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">2019-20 – 16<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">2020-21 – 2<sup>nd<o:p></o:p></sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">2021-22 – 8<sup>th</sup> <sup>
<o:p></o:p></sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">2021-22 BAYLOR MBB PRESEASON HONORS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">JAMES AKINJO</span></b><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Preseason All-America Honorable Mention (The Athletic)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Preseason All-Big 12 Honorable Mention<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">KENDALL BROWN</span></b><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">ADAM FLAGLER</span></b><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Preseason All-America Honorable Mention (The Athletic)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">MATTHEW MAYER</span></b><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Preseason All-Big 12 Team<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">www.BaylorBears.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">-- <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#385623">David Kaye</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#385623">
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">| Assistant AD for Communications<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Department of Athletics | Baylor University<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">C: 254-709-5147<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><img border="0" width="160" height="44" style="width:1.6666in;height:.4583in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D7C43A.9CA7D130" alt="signature_2080238585"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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