NCAA Women's Tournament 2012: Why This Is Baylor's Year to Win It All

Baylor lost just two games before the NCAA Tournament last season.

But when the NCAA Tournament came, the Bears fell hard, losing to Texas A&M in the first round, 58-46.

Not like it deflated the Baylor women headed into this season.

All Baylor has done after an early tourney exit in 2011 is go 34-0, beating Notre Dame, Tennessee, Connecticut, Texas Tech, Kansas State and, yes, Texas A&M, along the way.

In fact, Baylor beat Texas A&M three times, including a 73-50 drubbing in the Big 12 tournament championship game.

How's that for payback?

Now Baylor gets set to face No. 16 seed UCSB in the opening round on Sunday and it's going to get ugly from the start.

Baylor, of course, has the best player in the country in Brittney Griner. She's averaging 23.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 5.1 blocks this season. If there's anyone who can stop Griner this season, I've yet to see them.

There's also Odyssey Sims, who's averaging 4.7 assists and is likely to join Griner on the All-American team.

But it's more than about talent this season for the Bears. They have the mindset to win it all.

Comparing Baylor to last season's team, head coach Kim Mulkey said, via ESPN, "The difference is a year's experience and maturity. And they're on a mission."

Indeed, Baylor has had more time to grow together, and has learned from last season. When you have a team like this, sporting the best player in the nation and highly motivated, that's a dangerous combination heading into the NCAA Tournament.

Notre Dame, Stanford and Connecticut all have a shot at it this year, but it's hard to ignore what Baylor has done.

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