Reactions from Baylor Basketball’s national championship win over Gonzaga

There was the uncertainty of the Baylor Basketball program heading into the season, with COVID looming large and players’ potential for loss.

Jared Butler and MaCio Teague had entered their names into the NBA Draft. If even one of them leaves, the chance at a national championship dwindles significantly.

The Bears became an instant contender, with both expected to return. In what seems like well over a year ago, forward Tristan Clark choose to medically retire, after the potential of re-aggravating his ACL.

The same player that was recognized as an All-Big 12 talent, that shot 73% from the field his sophomore year and averaged 14.6 points per game.

This team was not built the way it is now, just over two years ago. In the freshman year of Butler and Matthew Mayer, Baylor fell to Texas Southern and Stephen F. Austin.

These two teams competed in the NCAA Tournament that year, with Gonzaga outlasting Baylor.

Yet just over two years later, both would be competing for a chance to hoist their program’s first national championship.

Even with the impressive offense they displayed, it was the defense that gave Gonzaga their worst offensive performance of the season, by a landslide.

After struggling to shoot the three-ball in the National Semi-Final, Baylor made sure to keep them off, with the Bulldogs connecting on just one three in their first nine attempts.

Baylor forced 14 turnovers and was elite from the free throw line. To sum up their performance, it’s the best Baylor could’ve played against among one of the most historic teams in College Basketball.

A key coming into the game was Baylor’s bench and how the Bears have more depth than Gonzaga. That showed, with outscoring the Zags, 21-7 in that area. Three of the Bulldogs points, coming in the final minute of the game.

The Bears held Gonzaga to its lowest point total all year, made 10 three-pointers, and most importantly, limited transition opportunities.

A game that was 18 years in the making. From a program that was considered the laughing stock of the Big 12 at one point. Rose and became the first team from the state of Texas to win a national championship, since 1965.

Many of the players are expected to move on with the trio of guards having NBA aspirations and Mark Vital potentially continuing to play at the professional level.

This season and moment have been awaiting the Bears. Been awaiting the program, since the promise we made in the 2003 press conference, that Baylor would compete and win NCAA Tournament games.

On Monday, they won six straight. Hats off to Baylor, hats off to Gonzaga, and hats off to College Basketball. For providing an astounding product, during a time of worry and engulfed in the unknown.