Baylor University’s men’s basketball program has released a 15‑game nonconference schedule that reads like a gauntlet of elite competition. The Bears will square off against nine Power Conference schools, including Washington, Texas and Louisville, each of which contributed to a combined record of multiple NCAA Tournament appearances last March.
A Grueling Road Ahead
What makes the schedule especially daunting is the scarcity of true road games; the Bears will play just one away contest before stepping into Big 12 play, a factor that could shape their readiness for the league’s hostile environments.
Adding to the early‑season pressure, Baylor will compete in the Players’ Era Tournament, where they are slated to meet an SEC opponent in the opening round and could later face Gonzaga, another national contender.
Coach Scott Drew has framed the demanding stretch as an intentional laboratory, using tough matchups to fine‑tune rotations and build resilience before the March Madness push.
A subpar showing in the tournament could signal a rough road ahead for the Bears, but Drew remains confident that the experience will ultimately smooth their path to the postseason.