Baylor Basketball: A Dynasty in the Making

To most college basketball fans, the name Baylor might not immediately conjure up images of dominance and success. But for those in the know, the Bears have quietly been building a dynasty over the past decade.
In 2008, after a string of disappointing seasons, Baylor hired Scott Drew as their head coach. Drew, a former player at Valparaiso, had a reputation for developing young talent and instilling a winning culture. It didn't take long for him to work his magic in Waco, Texas.
In Drew's first season, Baylor went 21-12, a significant improvement over the previous year's 10-19 record. It was just the beginning of a remarkable turnaround.
Over the next several seasons, Baylor steadily climbed up the college basketball ladder. They reached the NCAA Tournament in 2010 and won their first game, but it was in 2012 that they truly announced themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
Led by talented guards Pierre Jackson and Brady Heslip, Baylor reached the Elite Eight that year, losing by just four points to eventual champion Kentucky. It was the deepest NCAA Tournament run in program history.

In 2014, Baylor took another step forward, reaching the Final Four for the first time. They lost to Duke in the semifinals but bounced back to defeat Oregon in the third-place game. It was a historic achievement for the Bears, who had never reached the Final Four before.

Since then, Baylor has continued to be a perennial contender. They won the Big 12 regular-season championship in 2017 and 2019 and reached the Elite Eight again in 2016. In 2021, they won their first-ever national championship, defeating Gonzaga in the title game.

The key to Baylor's success has been a combination of strong recruiting and player development. Drew has a knack for finding talented players who fit his system and are willing to work hard. He has also been able to retain his top players, which has given Baylor a level of consistency that few other programs have.

The Bears have a bright future ahead of them. They have a talented roster led by All-American forward Jalen Bridges and have been ranked in the top 10 in the preseason polls. With Drew at the helm, Baylor is poised to continue its reign as one of the top programs in college basketball.

So, if you're not already a fan of Baylor basketball, it's time to jump on the bandwagon. They're one of the most exciting teams in the country to watch, and they're only going to get better in the years to come.