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Points of Pride — Athletics

Mar

2013

Griner’s 3 dunks lead top-ranked Lady Bears to fifth straight Sweet 16

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors, Photo Galleries, Videos

Brittney Griner waves to fans after final game in Waco

From the outset Tuesday night, it was clear that Brittney Griner wanted to put on a show in her final game in the Ferrell Center — especially after learning there was a special guest in the house.

With former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, in attendance, Griner scored 33 points, pulled down 22 rebounds, and became the first woman in NCAA history to dunk three times in a game as the No. 1-seeded Baylor women’s basketball team beat Florida State, 85-47.

With this victory and the Lady Bears’ opening round win over Prairie View A&M, Baylor advanced to a fifth straight Sweet 16 (the eighth in Kim Mulkey’s 13 years at Baylor).

[LINKS: Highlights from ESPN, including Griner's 3 dunks || Photos from Baylor Photography and the AP || Griner & Mulkey reflect on the seniors' final home game || President Obama picks Baylor to win it all || Players do their best Mulkey impersonations || Jalen Rose on Brittney Griner's numbers || Griner's 15th career dunk || Baylor/Sweet 16 t-shirt available from the Baylor Bookstore]

Over the last four years, Baylor’s senior class of Griner, Nae-Nae Hayden, Jordan Madden, Brooklyn Pope and Destiny Williams led the Lady Bears to an astounding 72-2 record in the Ferrell Center. But their final goal still awaits; they hope to leave with back-to-back national championships — something only three other schools have ever accomplished (Southern Cal, Tennessee and UConn).

Next up for the Lady Bears: 16th-ranked Louisville on Sunday in Oklahoma City, with the winner of that game facing either Tennessee or Oklahoma Tuesday in OKC. Baylor has sold-out of its allotment of tickets for the regional, but fans may purchase seats directly from the Chesapeake Energy Arena web site. Gameday bus trips from Waco to OKC and back are also available for both games from Anthony Travel.

In Oklahoma City, Baylor fans can join the Baylor Alumni Network for send-off parties at the team hotel (the Skirvin Hilton) 90 minutes prior to each game, as well as a pep rally at the hotel from 8-9 p.m. April 1 if the women advance to the Elite Eight.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Mar

2013

Men’s hoops continues postseason roll into NIT quarterfinals

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors

Men's basketball postgame prayer

If you’ve been following Baylor men’s basketball the last few years, you’ve probably picked up on two things.

One, the Bears have an interesting pattern going. 2008, 2010, 2012 — NCAA tournament appearances. 2009 (NIT), 2011 (nothing, following Perry Jones’ suspect suspension), 2013 (NIT) — elsewhere.

Secondly, head coach Scott Drew’s team has a pretty impressive record in the postseason. Over the past five seasons (including this year), Baylor has a combined NCAA/NIT record of 12-3, including two NCAA Elite Eight finishes (2010, 2012) and a run to the NIT championship game (2009). And you’ll have to go back to 2008 to find the last time the men were knocked out of the postseason by a team that didn’t end up winning the tournament.

The Bears are working on another such run, having defeated Big West Conference regular season champ Long Beach State (112-66!) and Pac-12 at-large bid Arizona State (89-86) in the first two rounds of the 2013 NIT. Baylor will host ~~the winner of tonight’s Robert Morris/~~Providence ~~game on~~ at 8 p.m. Wednesday night. [Check out BaylorBears.com's digital postseason guide for a pretty sweet preview, complete with video links and more.]

Win or lose, that will be the final game in the Ferrell Center for seniors Pierre Jackson, A.J. Walton and Jacob Neubert; the loser of that quarterfinal match will go home, while the winner will move on to New York City and Madison Square Garden for the NIT semifinals and finals, April 2-4.

Got your tickets? Got your gear? Then I’ll see you at the Ferrell Center Wednesday night!

Sic ’em, Bears!

Mar

2013

Lady Bears named NCAA tourney’s No.1 overall seed for second straight year

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors, Videos

Lady Bears named No. 1 seed

Big 12 regular season champs.
Big 12 tournament champs.
The unanimous No. 1 team in the country.
The nation’s No. 1 seed entering the NCAA tournament.

That was the formula the Baylor Lady Bears followed on the way to the national championship a year ago, and it’s the path head coach Kim Mulkey’s squad has charted again this year, having been named a No. 1 seed yet again when the NCAA bracket was announced Monday night on ESPN.

[LINKS: Full NCAA bracket || ESPN experts each pick Baylor to win it all || ESPN analyzes Baylor's region || Griner's live ESPN interview || Pictures from the selection show gathering]

The Lady Bears will host first- and second-round action in the Ferrell Center March 24 and 26. Baylor will play SWAC tournament champion Prairie View A&M on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2; the winner of that game will face the winner of Florida State and Princeton on Tuesday the 26th at 8:30 p.m. CT.

Mulkey’s team enters the tournament at 32-1, having claimed both the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles for the third straight year. Baylor also swept Big 12 Coach (Mulkey) and Player (Brittney Griner) of the Year honors for the third year in a row; led by that pair, the Lady Bears have gone an astounding 106-4 over the past three seasons.

Are you ready for March Madness? Tickets are on sale now, as is Lady Bear Big 12 Champion gear from the Baylor Bookstore.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Mar

2013

Men’s basketball headed to postseason for 5th time in 6 years following NIT bid

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors

Pierre Jackson For the fifth time since 2008, Baylor men’s basketball is headed to the postseason.

The Bears are a No. 2 seed in the NIT and will host Big West Conference regular season champ Long Beach State in first-round action Wednesday at 8 p.m. CT. Tickets are on sale now; season ticket holders can reserve their same seats between now and Monday at 2 p.m., and like in the regular season, students get in for free. If you can’t make it to Waco, you can watch on ESPN2.

The bracket is lined up such that, if the higher seeds win as expected, the Bears would have a rematch with Kentucky in the quarterfinals; Baylor beat UK in December in Lexington to end the Wildcats’ 54-game home winning streak.

Head coach Scott Drew’s squad made a valiant late-season push for the NCAA tournament, pounding No. 3-ranked Kansas and playing both No. 13 Kansas State and No. 14 Oklahoma State close. (Both BaylorBears.com and ESPN.com made outstanding arguments why Baylor deserved strong consideration.) But in the end, gut-wrenching losses to those two squads (with 1 second to go vs. KSU and 2 seconds left vs. OSU) kept the Bears from making the NCAA’s field of 68.

Instead, Baylor is headed to the NIT for the first time since 2009, when Tweety Carter, LaceDarius Dunn, Curtis Jerrells, Josh Lomers and Kevin Rogers (with Quincy Acy, Henry Dugat, Mamadou Diene and Anthony Jones coming off the bench) led the No. 3 seed Bears to the NIT Championship Game at Madison Square Garden.

The postseason bid continues the program’s longest period of sustained success. Before Drew’s arrival in Waco, the Bears had reached the postseason just seven times in 101 years (4 NCAA bids, 3 NIT). In the past six years, Baylor has now advanced to postseason play five times (3 NCAA, 2 NIT).

Next up: the No. 1-ranked Baylor Lady Bears, who will learn the path they must take to a second straight national title Monday night. The NCAA women’s basketball selection show airs at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN; join the team for a watch party in the Ferrell Center’s Stone Room.

Sic ’em, Baylor basketball!

Mar

2013

Robert Griffin III Day at Texas Capitol culminates in RG3 Scholarship announcement

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Athletics, Honors, Photo Galleries, Videos

Robert Griffin III in Austin

Tuesday was “RG3 Day” in Austin, as the former Baylor All-American and current Washington Redskin was honored on the floor of both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate. Senate Resolution 314 and House Concurrent Resolution 10 commended Robert Griffin III, BA ’10, for his outstanding representation of the state of Texas.

[LINKS: Video from Baylor Athletics || Pictures from Baylor Photography || Texas Monthly: "RG3: A Gentleman and a Scholar" || Houston Chronicle: "Could RG3 soon be a Texas lawmaker?"]

Senator Watson had the honor of announcing the establishment of the Robert Griffin III (RG3) Quarterback Scholarship at Baylor. To participate in this effort that honors RG3′s legacy at Baylor, visit www.baylor.edu/nation/rg3.

The events were just part of a busy week for Griffin around Central Texas that also included visiting Baylor football practice last week (along with former teammates and fellow NFL players Kendall Wright and Danny Watkins), having a street named in his honor (“Robert Griffin III Blvd.“) in his hometown of Copperas Cove, and taking in Baylor men’s basketball’s big win over Kansas (complete with pregame pep talk and his own No. 10 “electricity” jersey).

If you were ever worried about RG3 hitting the big time and forgetting about where he came from… I think you can stop fretting.

Sic ’em, RG3!

Mar

2013

Lady Bears sweep Big 12 regular season, tournament titles for third straight year

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors, Photo Galleries, Videos

Baylor Lady Bears Big 12 Tournament champs

Across all 23 sports, in the history of the Big 12 Conference, just four teams have managed to sweep both the regular season and tournament conference titles three years running. Three of those four are from Baylor.

Baylor women’s basketball became the latest team to accomplish the feat, beating Iowa State Monday night to win the 2013 Big 12 tournament, the program’s fifth postseason conference title.

[LINKS: Video from Baylor Athletics || Photos from Baylor Photography and the AP || ESPN: "Baylor's ready for the Big Dance"]

For those keeping track, here’s what head coach Kim Mulkey’s resume now looks like:

5 national titles (two as a player, one as an assistant coach, two as Baylor’s head coach)
5-time Big 12 coach of the year
14 Final Fours (four as player, seven as assistant, three at Baylor)
24 Sweet 16s (four as player, 13 as assistant, seven at Baylor)
9 Big 12 championships (four regular season, five tournament)

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. We’re blessed to have one of the best here at Baylor.

[Get your Lady Bears gear here, including 2013 Big 12 Champion t-shirts.]

The Lady Bears now have to wait until Monday night (6 p.m. CT, ESPN) to learn what their NCAA tournament bracket will look like. This we do know: Baylor University will host the first and second rounds in Waco March 24-26; tickets are available now.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

[In case you were wondering, the four teams to sweep both Big 12 titles three straight years: Texas women's tennis (1997-98-99-00), Baylor men's tennis (2002-03-04-05), Baylor women's tennis (2008-09-10-11) and Baylor women's basketball (2011-12-13).]

Mar

2013

Men’s hoops routs No. 3 Kansas to keep postseason hopes alive

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Photo Galleries, Videos

Fans and players celebrate Baylor's win over Kansas Saturday

Maybe it was the magic of RG3′s presence. Maybe it was the added focus of Senior Night, as Pierre Jackson and A.J. Walton played their final regular-season games on the Ferrell Center floor. Maybe it was just head coach Scott Drew’s squad clicking the way they’ve known was possible all year.

Whatever the key, the end result grabbed the nation’s attention, as Baylor men’s basketball stunned No. 3-ranked Kansas, 81-58, Saturday night at the Ferrell Center in front of a national ESPN audience.

[VIDEO/PHOTOS: Highlights from ESPN and Baylor Athletics || Pictures from Baylor Photography and the AP]

The 23-point loss was the Jayhawks’ worst in seven years and kept KU from winning the Big 12 title outright; instead, they finish tied for first with in-state rival Kansas State. Baylor, meanwhile, won its 18th game for the sixth straight season; prior to Scott Drew’s arrival, the Bears had won 18 or more games just six times in 101 years.

Will the victory be enough to get Baylor off the bubble and into the NCAA tournament? We won’t know that for another week; the NCAA selection show is March 17 at 5 p.m. CT on CBS. Between now and then, the men could likely use another win or three in the Big 12 tournament, which begins next week in Kansas City. As the No. 6 seed, the Bears will face No. 3 seed Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals Thursday at 8:30 p.m. CT (Big 12 Network).

For now, let’s enjoy this one. Jackson and Walton certainly did, combining for 40 points and 15 assists. Junior Cory Jefferson also had himself a night, with 25 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, several monster dunks, and the first three 3-pointers of his career.

Robert Griffin III, BA ’10, decked out in his own Baylor “electricity” No. 10 jersey, also seemed to be having a good time, seated right behind the BU bench. The Redskins QB was in the area after having seen his hometown of Copperas Cove dedicate a street, “Robert Griffin III Blvd.,” in his honor on Friday.

Sic ’em, Baylor basketball!

Mar

2013

Mulkey, Griner sweep Big 12 Coach/Player of the Year honors for third straight year

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors

Kim Mulkey and Brittney Griner In the nearly 20-year history of the Big 12 Conference, no coach in any of the Big-Four sports (football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball) had ever won three straight Coach of the Year honors — until Thursday, when the Baylor Lady Bears’ Kim Mulkey was so honored.

Only one player in that time, across all four sports, had ever been named Big 12 Player of the Year three times — Oklahoma women’s basketball’s Courtney Paris. That number is now two, as the Lady Bears’ Brittney Griner claimed her third straight trophy this week.

Griner was also named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth straight year and was joined by junior guard Odyssey Sims on the All-Big 12 First Team (Sims’ third straight first-team selection). Seniors Jordan Madden, Kimetria Hayden and Brooklyn Pope were each named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Griner and Sims also made the All-Defensive Team, while senior Destiny Williams received the Sixth Man Award and Alexis Prince made the All-Freshman Team.

With their third straight Big 12 regular season title already in the bag, the Lady Bears will now look to extend their Big 12 tournament championship run to three straight years as well. Baylor will face either Kansas State or Texas in the tournament quarterfinals Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on FSN.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Mar

2013

Baylor Stadium debut just 18 months away

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Pro Futuris

Baylor Stadium construction, Feb. 2013

If everything continues to run according to plan, we’re now less than 18 months from the debut of Baylor Stadium as the new home for Baylor football.

On Aug. 30, 2014, the Bears are scheduled to host SMU in the first BU home game to be played on campus since 1935. [Check out this photo gallery of Baylor football's homes through the years, compiled by the Texas Collection, then read up on the Bears' new home in this Baylor Magazine feature from last fall.]

Construction is obviously well underway, easily visible to the 42-million+ drivers who annually head up and down I-35. For those who don’t pass through Waco on a regular basis, TXDOT and KWTX have set up webcams that show live shots of the construction site.

You can be a part of the Baylor Stadium project by giving to the Baylor Stadium Bricks Campaign; for gifts ranging from $1,250 down to just $175, fans can have a custom message inscribed on a brick to be placed at the new facility. It’s been fun to see stories online of friends, former BU roommates, even tailgate groups pitching in together to purchase one or more bricks as a group.

Between now and then, of course, there’s still one final season to be played at Floyd Casey Stadium. Fans can renew their season tickets for 2013 starting March 12, and new season tickets will go on sale March 18. See you at Floyd Casey this fall, and at Baylor Stadium in 2014!

Sic ’em, Bears!

[Photo above comes from @TruthorBear247, taken Feb. 16, 2013]

Feb

2013

Lady Bears celebrate third straight Big 12 title by beating No. 2 UConn on the road

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors, Videos

Brittney Griner and Rebecca Lobo You know your program has reached a new level when you can win a conference title, then beat the No. 2 team in the country on their own court, and barely bat an eye.

That’s Baylor women’s basketball for you. When Oklahoma and Iowa State each lost on Sunday, the Lady Bears clinched their third straight Big 12 regular season championship (and fourth overall) — with more than two weeks left to go in the season.

The next night, Baylor had to face UConn (ranked No. 2 in one poll and No. 3 in another) on the road in front of 16,000+ Huskies fans. Head coach Kim Mulkey’s squad showed why they are the No. 1 team in the country for the seventh straight week, however, fighting back from an 11-point first-half deficit to win 76-70. [See video highlights from Sic 'Em Sports and ESPN.]

An added bonus from the game: Brittney Griner became just the eighth woman (and 15th person) in NCAA Division I history to score 3,000 career points. At her current pace, Griner (pictured being interviewed postgame by ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo) is on pace to finish her career second all-time in NCAA D-1 career scoring.

If you want to see Griner play in Waco, you’ve only got two more chances guaranteed: this Saturday, when Baylor hosts Texas and will celebrate the 2013 Big 12 title; and March 4, when the Lady Bears host Kansas State in the regular season finale.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Points of Pride — Athletics

[Photo above comes from @TruthorBear247, taken Feb. 16, 2013]

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