Big 12 Conference report

SportsLine Report
July 7, 2000

Henry to transfer to Baylor

Former New Mexico 3-point marksman Kevin Henry announced Wednesday that he's transferring to Baylor for his senior year, where he will be reunited with former UNM coach Dave Bliss.

A native of Denton, Henry played for Bliss for two years at New Mexico. As a sophomore in 1998-99, he averaged 12.8 points and hit a school-record 102 three-pointers in 239 attempts. Henry's was not as much of a factor last season under first-year New Mexico coach Fran Fraschilla, as he averaged 9.0 points and hit 51 of 162 3-pointers. Henry will redshirt this season before competing in 2001-02.

A glance at 2001

He left an established program at New Mexico and knew nothing would come easy at Baylor.

So, to that end, Dave Bliss wasn't surprised by what he endured in his first year coaching the Bears. That said, things could have been much worse, as the Bears finished just a notch below the break-even mark (14-15) and managed to win five more Big 12 games (5-13) than they did in Henry Miller's final season.

Still, getting kicked around in Big 12 play is not acceptable to the fine folks of Waco. For now, however, they will have to get used to it. Baylor is improving and will be even better in Bliss' second year, but in the Big 12 improvement does not always show up in wins and losses.

Bliss has things going forward. It's just not fast forward.

The coach

After wearing out his welcome in New Mexico, Bliss showed up in Baylor knowing he would have to do a major salvage job to reel Baylor in from the depths of the 6-24 abyss they were in during the 1998-99 season.

He's willing to do the work, but whether or not the school's supporters are willing to wait while he builds is another matter. Bliss can recruit and is an adequate floor coach, but his public relations skills might be the most needed in this post.

Who'll be back

The Bears return only two of their top six scorers, losing high-scorer Tevis Stukes (17.6 ppg), but getting Nos. 2 and 3 back in Demarcus Minor (11.4) and Terry Black (11.2). Black was also the team's leading rebounder, pulling down 7.6 per game.

A freshman last season, William Greenleaf had his moments and looks like a bright spot for the future. That, however, will be slightly more distant than expected as he will not be eligible to play until Big 12 play thanks to his struggles in the classroom.

Also back are Charlie Naihe and John Dryman Flippen. Both (especially the 7-3 Flippen) will provide some bulk inside.

Who's gone

Tevis Stukes is the biggest loss, leaving with his 17.6 average. Also gone are Jamie Kendrick (8.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Ben Echols (6.6, 6.7) and David Jones (4.9).

Key newcomers

Bliss reeled in four high school players, again showing that he is in for the long haul, rather than the quick fix and success that might follow with a slew of junior-college signings.

The biggest coup of his first class, however, came when SMU transfer Chad Elsey enrolled last fall. A late defector from the Mustangs, Elsey will have to sit out until Big 12 play begins, but will instantly give the Bears a rangy scoring threat. At 6-7, Elsey can shoot from the perimeter and averaged 13.5 points in his final season with the Mustangs.

Bliss will ask him to toughen up and get dirty in the paint a bit -- something he didn't do in Dallas. Even if he still has the same frailties that were evident at SMU, he'll be the best player Baylor has when he becomes eligible.

Otherwise, Bliss stayed in the high schools and in state, signing guards Matt Sayman from The Colony and Caro Nobles from Houston's Langham Creek High School, and a pair of forwards, Logan Kosmalski from Euless Trinity and McGregor's Mike DeGrate.

"We're excited about the quality of this class. It's important for us to recruit the state of Texas well, and we've shown signs of doing that with this class," Bliss said.