By STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Basketball Writer
WACO, Texas (AP) - Baylor is back in the NIT four years after making it to Madison Square Garden.
The Bears had bigger aspirations this season.
Since their NIT runner-up finish in 2009, the Bears (18-14) have made it to two NCAA regional finals and had a school-record 30 wins last season. But they lost 5 of 6 games before ending this regular season with an 81-58 win over Big 12 champion Kansas. They lost to Kansas State in the conference tourney opener.
Baylor is a No. 2 seed in the NIT, and plays at home Wednesday against Long Beach State (19-13).
Defending NCAA champion Kentucky is the No. 1 seed on the Baylor side of the NIT bracket. The Wildcats beat Baylor last March, but the Bears won at Rupp Arena in December.
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