Baylor basketball made history last season by becoming the first team in program history to earn a tournament berth in back-to-back seasons. Scott Drew has raised the bar since he arrived in Waco significantly.

Now the attention turns to this season, where the Bears are ranked No. 21 and right in the mix for an NCAA tournament at-large spot. However, the Bears are on a downward trend after beginning Big 12 play so hot.

Here is what Baylor still needs to do to make the NCAA tournament.

Take care of business

Baylor sits at 17-6 and 6-4 in the competitive Big 12 conference. As recently as a week ago, the Bears were tied for first place in the Big 12 and ranked in the top 15. But after losses to Texas and West Virginia in the past week, Baylor is struggling to find its identity once again.

The Bears have eight Big 12 games remaining, followed by the Big 12 tournament before Selection Sunday. Three of those games (at Kansas State, vs. Texas Tech, at TCU) are against teams with losing records in the Big 12. Winning those games should be enough to earn a tourney spot.

However, with games left against Iowa State, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and West Virginia, Baylor has several opportunities remaining to secure a nice seed in the tournament. Win two or three of those games against ranked opponents and Baylor could be looking at a top-five seed and favorable path.

Pass the ball

Baylor's offense truly comes down to one statistic. In wins, Baylor basketball is averaging 22 assists per game. In losses, the Bears averaging just 12.3 assists per game. It really is that simple. Baylor played two teams that press extensively - West Virginia and Texas - and the offense virtually shut down.

The Bears simply do not have enough isolation players to win games consistently. Taurean Prince has showed some ability, but has been significantly more successful in the catch-and-shoot than in isolation. Rico Gathers has struggled to finish at the rim this season as teams have adjusted to him.

Baylor needs to get back into its offensive flow or whatever postseason berth it receives will be short-lived.

Rebuild the defense

Scott Drew's early Baylor teams were known for stifling defense. Baylor's zone defense last season was one of the best in the nation. In fact, the Bears went 54 consecutive games without allowing 75 points, until the Bears' 80-61 loss to Texas A&M on Dec. 19. Since then, the Bears have allowed more than that mark on four occasions.

Baylor ranks last in the Big 12 in field goal percentage defense (44.1 percent) and 3-point field goal defense (36.5 percent). It remains somewhat unclear why the defense has struggled like it has, considering Baylor brought back all of its post defenders this season. Drew and his staff will have to find a way to get the defense going, because Baylor's offense is not good enough to beat the class of college basketball alone.