What Baylor did during its brief stay in the NCAA Tournament was a microcosm of the entire season.

The Bears struggled to defend well this year, and in a 90-79 first-round loss to Purdue, the circumstances were no different. The Boilermakers converted on several open looks and gained command early, sending the Bears to a 21-11 final record.

The breakthrough Baylor experienced by reaching the NCAA Tournament is commendable. It ended a 20-year drought. To achieve that benchmark as a coach is also a tribute to Scott Drew, who took over a program that was rocked by tragedy, scandal and attrition, and was nearly handed the death penalty by the NCAA.

Drew chose to put those issues aside and forge ahead. His ability to recruit talented players under the circumstances was impressive. He assembled a deep array of guards and a formidable big man in forward Kevin Rogers.

But as Baylor moves forward under Drew, defense must become a priority. An explosive backcourt enabled the Bears to outscore opponents much of the season because of the diverse problems it presented. But if Baylor ever struggled to make shots -- which all teams do at times -- it was always at a disadvantage.

The good news is, defensive principles are something the Bears can still learn while perfecting their offensive touch. The only senior contributor who leaves is Aaron Bruce, a point guard. But even Bruce's career raises concerns. The Australian import never seemed to improve during his stay after making a freshman splash. That creates questions concerning the ability of Drew to develop talent.

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