NCAA Tournament 2012: Baylor Will Prove Contender Status with Win over Xavier

Baylor is getting little respect among the bigger programs left in the Sweet 16, but all that will change with a beatdown over Xavier. 

It's easy to overlook the Baylor Bears when they are in the same region as Kentucky, but it's time to consider the bright colored team as solid contenders. 

They take on Xavier in Sweet 16 action on Friday, and there is just one thing on their mind–a national championship. 

It's less about looking past a very good Musketeers team and more about sending a message and claiming a bigger piece of the hype and hoopla that follows teams deeper into March. 

Bears' star and big man Perry Jones III said as much on their way into the Sweet 16, via ESPN. 

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"Yes, we are. We're playing for the national championship even though we're not expected to win one. We weren't expected to be here now."

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He picked the right tournament to make such claims, because anything can truly happen at this time of year, when one game can truly change your fortune. 

They will have quite a battle on Friday against one of the best guards in the nation in Tu Holloway. If Xavier has a shot at moving on, it will rest all with what Holloway can do during this clash. 

The senior is on fire on this tournament, averaging 23 points through the initial stages. Holloway will be relegated to outside shots in this game. 

He can finish well at the rim, but one of the better defenders in the nation will be waiting for him in Perry Jones III. 

Jones is hungry and is not about to let Holloway run the show. He craved this chance and has so far been off to a slow start. At some point, Jones is going to bust out of the funk he has been in on both sides of the court. 

Not that the Bears have been ailing without him at his best. Baylor's backcourt is deep enough to contain the Holloway to human efforts and provide a great deal of production themselves.  

Baylor simply has a better and more balanced offense. Brady Heslip has emerged as a scorer, and there are a number of players that can hurt you. 

Baylor is the clear winner in this mismatch, and will cruise into the Elite Eight. After that, we all know that anything can happen. 

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