Baylor Basketball advances to title game with blowout win over Houston

It’s not often when teams that are separated by 200 miles or less are represented in the final four. Even less often, when it’s the matchup. Just the third time two teams from the same state met in the Final Four.

That was the case on Saturday, with so many headlines and key matchups to watch for, the first Final Four game since 2019 lived up to the much anticipated full year of hype.

The Bears had the exact opposite start of what they wanted with a shot clock violation and a three-pointer made, after two offensive rebounds from the Cougars.

In a surprisingly offensive start, it was Matthew Mayer off the bench that was a spark. He came off the bench and made a baseline jumper and a three-pointer on the next possession. Through the first media timeout, Baylor lead, 13-8.

Marcus Sasser was the leading scorer for Houston, but it was Baylor’s depth that was prevailing. Alongside Mayer, was Tchamwa Tchathchoua being a threat down low and was used, on pick-and-roll’s on passes from Mitchell.

Baylor scored more points through the first nine minutes than Oregon State against the Cougars over the entire first half. Butler connected on his second three of the half and the Bears would extend their lead to 22-11, just under halfway through the first.

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Baylor’s offense would continue to carve up Houston’s defense as it was done from the biggest asset from the Bears all season long. After a slightly disappointing start to the tournament, Jared Butler had his best half of the tournament.

All cylinders were firing for the Bears, as it was the most first-half points Houston has given up all season, at 45 points. Butler led the way with 17 points on four made three’s, four rebounds, and two assists.

Baylor finished the half on an 18-3 run and a 25 point lead, heading into the break. Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson would have a change of philosophy to start the second half with other players scoring.

The Bears defense was not quite as efficient coming out of the break but were able to get early scoring from Flo Thamba and scoring in the interior through the first five minutes.

With Houston cutting the lead ever so slightly, Baylor was able to capitalize and keep Houston an arm’s length away.

After Butler and Mitchell’s second halves being less focused on offense, it was more points for Tchamwa Tchatchoua and MaCio Teague. Teague had eight points in the second and Tchatchoua finishing with 11.

The Bears’ 78 points were the most Houston has given up all year, as the most anticipated matchup of the college basketball season, is just one game away.