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Baylor Basketball: Takeaways from win over Villanova in Myrtle Beach finals

By Zach Stearman

LUBBOCK, TX - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears talks to his players at a time out during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on December 29, 2017 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 77-53. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears talks to his players at a time out during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on December 29, 2017 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 77-53. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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Baylor Bears Mark Vital
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 23: Mark Vital #11 of the Baylor Bears reacts to a play against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Baylor Basketball recorded an impressive victory over Villanova to win the Myrtle Beach Invitational. What did this tell us about the future for the Bears?

After an up and down start, Baylor Basketball got their season on track with a championship in the Myrtle Beach Invitational by defeating Villanova 87-78. The teams appeared very evenly matched for much of the game, with 18 lead changes through the first 35 minutes, but Baylor stepped on the gas down the stretch. The run to close out Villanova was led by sophomore guard Jared Butler. Butler finished with 22 points, including numerous clutch three-pointers late with the game on the line.

Butler was named tournament MVP for his impressive performance, but he did not have to carry the team alone. The Bears’ backcourt showed off its depth with MaCio Teague scoring 18 points and Davion Mitchell chipping in 13 more. Freddie Gillespie did some dirty work down low, coming away with four offensive rebounds.

Villanova guard Collin Gillespie gave the Bears fits for much of the game, but a second half switch to a zone defense helped to clog his driving lanes and slow him down. Gillespie was a big reason the Wildcats hung tight all night, but down the stretch, Baylor was the team that stepped up.

Baylor had been pegged by many as one of the top-tier Big XII contenders in the preseason. An early season loss to Washington and a close victory over Texas State might have lowered expectations, but with this win, Scott Drew’s Bears showed that they are able to compete at the highest level.

The Bears will certainly move up when next weeks polls come out, but does this game show that they are Big XII contenders? Let look at how the key takeaways might impact the rest of their season.

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