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NCAA champ Baylor among teams thriving with retooled rosters

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Baylor coach Scott Drew knew his sixth-ranked Bears might need time to blend a changed roster after they lost four starters from a national-championship run.

Instead, the Bears rolled through the Battle 4 Atlantis. They were among a group of teams — including Maui Invitational champion Wisconsin and No. 5 Duke in its takedown of No. 1 Gonzaga — that thrived over Thanksgiving week after retooling in the offseason.

It's quite a starting point if each continues an upward trajectory, too.

“It’s kind of like dating,” Drew said of two-time transfer James Akinjo as his new point guard.