Baylor Basketball: The Dream Season

The 2007-2008 college basketball season has been one to remember. There were many memorable moments and upsets that made this year one for the history books.

But one team stands out among them all. A team that was rocked by scandals just 5 years ago when the murder of Patrick Dennehy and an attempted cover-up by then-coach Dave Bliss forced Baylor University to place itself on probation by limiting itself to 7 scholarships over the next 2 years and a post-season ban for one. And as if it wasn't enough, the NCAA took away the Bears' 2005-2006 nonconference schedule and limiting what recruiting privileges Baylor had.

But despite all that, Coach Scott Drew put together a top-10 signing class, and he has built up the program since, trying to reclaim Baylor's glory days.

Baylor was projected to finish 9th in the Big 12 for the 07-08 season. No one gave the Bears of Waco, Texas a prayer. That is, until they started winning.

Baylor opened up the season in the Paradise Jam tournament with a win over Wichita State. They would then go on to upset Notre Dame and Winthrop en route to the tournament title.

Baylor would go into Big 12 play with a 12-2 record, losing only to #4 Washington State at home by 3, and in Dallas to Arkansas by 7.  The Bears would win their first 3 conference games, including a 72-70 win in Nebraska, their first Big 12 road win since February 25, 2004 against Texas A&M. Starting the conference 3-0, the Bears received their first ranking in years, coming in at #25.

But they had a true test coming up. Their road to the postseason had to go through Texas A&M in College Station.

Baylor trailed by 6 at the half, but were able to tie it and send the game to overtime. And another. And another. And another. And another. Finally, the scoreboard read: Baylor 116, Texas A&M 110, 5OT.

People went crazy about Baylor. You could hear talk about the postseason from fans who thought it would never happen. But then, Baylor lost its shine when they lost 6 out of their next 7, including a heart-breaking one-poin overtime loss in Oklahoma.

The Bears then knew that it was now or never.

The coaching staff would have a member get his head shaved for each win as an incentive, and it must've worked, as Baylor won 4 out of their final 5 games to earn the 5th seed in the conference tournament. But they would lose to Colorado in double OT.

Now the question was this: Did Baylor do enough? Would their losses hurt them? I and many of the Bear Pit faithful sat with the team in the Ferrell Center awaiting the NCAA's decision. 

Finally, it came down to the final two spots: the 6 and 11 seeds in the West Region. Purdue was announced as number 6, and Bear fans began to hold their bretahs. Then, it happened: Baylor was announced as the 11th seed! The team and fans went wild. Curtis Jerrells broke into tears, and the seniors were jumping for joy as they would be going to the tournament for the first time in 20 years.

Although the Bears did lose in the first round, one can't say that Baylor is being re-introduced into the world of tournament play. Just wait till next year.

SIC EM BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!