• Baylor men’s hoops to play for the national championship!

    Baylor men's basketball players celebrate

    Baylor men’s basketball is headed to the national championship!!!!!

    Before we continue, take a minute and let that sink in.

    Then, consider this — head coach Scott Drew’s squad just might be playing its best basketball of the year — and at exactly the right time.

    Baylor raced out to a 25-point lead in the first half of Saturday’s Final Four match-up against Houston, and it was never close after that as the Bears coasted to a 78-59 win. The Cougars were a No. 2 seed in this year’s tournament, with just three losses on the year — but against Baylor, UH both scored its fewest points in a half AND gave up its most points in a half this season.

    [LINKS: Watch highlights || Get your Baylor Final Four gear]

    So, here we are… The Bears are now 27-2, including a 6-0 mark against AP top-10 teams. Winners of the Big 12 regular season title. Led by the Big 12 Coach of the Year, and on the floor by three all-Americans (Jared Butler, MaCio Teague and Davion Mitchell) — with Mitchell the consensus national defensive player of the year. And one step away from the national title.

    Next up for Baylor: No. 1 Gonzaga, who — after an overtime thriller in the Final Four — is looking to complete the first undefeated season in NCAA men’s basketball since Indiana in 1975-76. The Bears and Bulldogs were the top two teams in the preseason ranking, with Gonzaga No. 1 in the AP poll and Baylor No. 1 in the coaches’ poll; now, they’ll meet on Monday night (8:20 p.m. CT, CBS) with the national title on the line.

    Can’t make it to Indianapolis to cheer on the Bears (like these Baylor students)? After hosting a joyous Final Four watch party in the Ferrell Center Saturday night, we’ll be doing it again Monday night — this time, at McLane Stadium.

    Sic ’em, Baylor basketball!