| 2021 NCAA Champions | |
 | #1- South Regional Champions Baylor University Bears (28-2) 1st Title |
| 2021 Winningest Conference | |
 | The Pac 12 Conference (13-5) 1st Time |
BAYLOR OUT-MUSCLES ZAGS FOR FIRST TITLE
MizzouTgr11 2 wins pool in his 6th year, Wuk#3 wins 3-way tie for 7th
EL SEGUNDO/CYPRESS, CA (smt) – #1S-Baylor jumped out to a 9-0 and 29-10 lead en route to a 86-70 drubbing of previously unbeaten #1W-Gonzaga for their first national title. The Zags still did what they do in the first half, shooting 54.5%, but the Bears had 16 more shots thanks to 9 offensive rebounds and forcing 8 turnovers in taking a 10-point lead into the half. There was no 2nd half momentum as Baylor poured it on again and when the deficit got cut to 9, Baylor ran off 7 straight points. Baylor dominated in the tournament, only trailing once (by 2) in the 2nd half of all six games. The Bulldogs’ hangover from their dramatic overtime win did them in, as the 19-point early deficit was too much to overcome. At one point, Baylor made 10 threes to Gonzaga’s one. At one point when they were threatening, Gonzaga missed four of five free throws (including the front end of a 1-and-1, a loss of 5 crucial points).
To me, the MVP was Baylor’s Mark Vital, who had 8 offensive rebounds (3 more the whole Zags team), 2 steals, 6 pts, and a great “bear” hug of his coach. How nice one of the mascots “Joy” gets etched into the championship logo. Gonzaga finishes 31-1 and their lowest point total of the season. More impressively, all the sacrifices of the players, coaches, and staff to live in the Indy bubble gave us a great tournament (except poor VCU) with all the highs and lows we missed last year and maybe, just maybe, the Pac 12 will be respected (UCLA #1?) once again.
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