Baylor’s three-headed backcourt will be Villanova’s biggest test on both ends of the floor

Baylor head coach Scott Drew compares his backcourt to past Villanova teams. MaCio Teague said it reminds him of the 38-1 Kentucky team from the 2014-15 season.

Both comparisons are valid.

Baylor combines a mixture of talent, experience, and chemistry to form one of the nation’s best backcourts. Jared Butler is a first-team All-American. Davion Mitchell has the most NBA upside, and Teague completes the trifecta by playing his role.

“They are guys that weren’t McDonald’s All-Americans but guys that just got better each and every day,” Drew said. “It’s a joy and pleasure to coach guys like this.”

The success runs deeper than what people see on the court. Mitchell, Butler, and Teague were key members on last season’s 26-4 Baylor team, but the chemistry has reached new levels. It’s their second season together as a trio.

Sometimes chemistry talk is overrated, but not with Baylor. One way to examine team chemistry is unselfishness. It usually comes into play when a really good player has a decent shot, but he trusts his teammate and passes the ball to create a better shot.

That’s seen often in Baylor’s film, and the stat sheet reflects it. Even though they are both elite scorers, Mitchell leads the Big 12 in assists per game (5.4) and Butler is second (4.8). Yes, Baylor has the top-two passing men in its conference.

“We just all sacrifice for each other on the basis that most teams with this kind of talent aren’t willing to do,” Teague said. “Everybody has a chance to eat on our team. We’re just bought in to our program.”

The shooting is where the Villanova comparison makes sense. Butler is the scoring leader (16.9 points). Teague averages 16 per game, and Mitchell is at 14.2 points. Each player makes more than two threes per game, and the trio shoots a combined 42.3% from three. Baylor leads the nation in three-point percentage (41.5%).

“They are team-oriented guys. They have a great chemistry,” Drew said. “They’re trying to make plays for each other instead of just getting theirs.”

And the comparison to the 2014-15 Kentucky team? Well, that team was the top defensive rated team in the nation, and that’s where Mitchell makes the biggest impact.

Mitchell was the Big 12 defensive player of the year, and several mock drafts have him in the first round because of his ability to completely shut down opponents. He averages two steals per game.

Butler is the team leader in steals (2.1 per game) and has a higher defensive rating than Mitchell. Both players are often competing with one another on defense, but Mitchell’s separator is his pressure on the ball. Players are uncomfortable taking dribbles in front of him.

“He says that it is all effort, but that is 1,000% a lie,” Teague said. “It’s like 50 percent effort, 50 percent skill. His mind defensively on the ball really helps you understand a different way. His defensive IQ on the ball is extremely high.”