• Moonlight Madness shows off Baylor basketball’s pure athleticism

    I hadn’t planned to recap Baylor basketball’s Moonlight Madness. Then I saw this photo:

    Deuce Bello dunking over 7-1 Isaiah Austin

    That’s Baylor sophomore guard Deuce Bello leaping over 7-FOOT-1 freshman Isaiah Austin during the Bears’ dunk contest — and Bello didn’t even win the event. That honor went to senior Cory Jefferson for his high-flying dunk that took off from near the free-throw line.

    [SEE: Moonlight Madness highlights or the event in its entirety || Another dunk highlight compilation || More photos from the event]

    Baylor fans can expect to see more of that athleticism this winter at the Ferrell Center. Remember, a year ago it was newcomer Pierre Jackson who wowed the crowd in the dunk contest; this year, the 5-foot-10 guard is the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year.

    Bello, Jefferson and Jackson were joined in the contest by the reigning national player of the year, Lady Bear senior Brittney Griner. Her 360 dunk, plus another slam over teammate Mariah Chandler, also excited a full house at the Ferrell Center.

    We’re barely a week from the men’s first exhibition game and less than two weeks from the national champion women’s season opener, and season tickets are on sale now. In fact, a special promotion running through Oct. 19 is offering men’s season tickets for $111 and women’s for $86.

    Sic ’em, Baylor basketball!