2020–21 Baylor Bears basketball team

The 2020–21 Baylor Bears basketball team represented Baylor University in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bears, members of the Big 12 Conference, played their home games at the Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas. They were led by 18th-year head coach Scott Drew.

2020–21 Baylor Bears basketball
ConferenceBig 12 Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 1
APNo. 3
2020–21 record28–2 (13–1 Big 12)
Head coach
Associate head coachJerome Tang (18th season)
Assistant coaches
Offensive schemeMotion
Base defenseNo-Middle
Home arenaFerrell Center
2020–21 Big 12 men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 3 Baylor131 .929282  .933
No. 12 Kansas126 .667219  .700
No. 9 Texas116 .647198  .704
No. 13 West Virginia116 .6471910  .655
No. 11 Oklahoma State117 .611219  .700
No. 21 Texas Tech98 .5291811  .621
Oklahoma98 .5291611  .593
TCU511 .3131214  .462
Kansas State414 .222920  .310
Iowa State018 .000222  .083
2021 Big 12 Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2020–21 season was the greatest season in Baylor's 115-year basketball history. They finished the season 28–2, 13–1 in Big 12 play to win their first regular season championship of any sort since 1950. In the Big 12 Tournament, they defeated Kansas State in the quarterfinals[1] before losing to Oklahoma State in the semifinals.[2] They received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the South region.[3] The Bears defeated Hartford[4] and Wisconsin to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.[5] They defeated Villanova[6] and Arkansas to advance to the school's first Final Four since 1950.[7][8] In the Final Four, they defeated Houston to advance to the school's second National Championship Game.[9][10] In the championship, they defeated No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga to win the school's first National Championship.[11][12]

Previous season

The Bears finished the season 2019–20 season 26–4 and 15–3 in Big 12 play to finish in second place.[13] The team was scheduled to play Kansas State in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament before the tournament was canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[14] The NCAA Tournament was also canceled due to the pandemic.[15]

Offseason

Departures

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownReason for departure
Devonte Bandoo2G6'3"185SeniorMississauga, ONGraduated
Obim Okeke15G6'0"225SeniorLas Vegas, NVGraduated
Tristan Clark25F6'10"245JuniorSan Antonio, TXRetired from basketball due to multiple injuries
Freddie Gillespie33F6'9"245RS SeniorSt. Paul, MNGraduated

Incoming transfers

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownPrevious School
Mark Paterson35G6'1"180Graduate StudentDallas, TXSt. Edwards

2020 Recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
LJ Cryer
PG
Katy, TX Morton Ranch (TX) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Jun 11, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 84
Dain Dainja
C
Brooklyn Park, MN Park Center (MN) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 260 lb (120 kg) Jun 22, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 86
Zach Loveday
C
Gallipolis, OH Huntington Prep (WV) 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Sep 25, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 80
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 42  247Sports: 28  ESPN: 22
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Baylor 2020 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  • "2020 Baylor Bears Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  • "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 13, 2020.

    2021 Recruiting class

    Preseason

    Big 12 coaches' poll

    The Big 12 preseason coaches' poll was released on October 29, 2020. Baylor was predicted to come in first place.

    Big 12 coaches' poll[16]
    Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
    1Baylor79(7)
    2Kansas73(3)
    3West Virginia61
    4Texas58
    5Texas Tech53
    6Oklahoma39
    7Oklahoma State35
    8Iowa State19
    9TCU18
    10Kansas State15

    Roster

    2020–21 Baylor Bears men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    F 0 Flo Thamba 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)245 lb (111 kg) JrMountain Mission Kinshasa, DR Congo
    G 4 LJ Cryer 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg) FrMorton Ranch Katy, TX
    G/F 5 Jordan Turner 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)195 lb (88 kg) RS FrSunrise Christian Academy Houston, TX
    G 10 Adam Flagler 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)180 lb (82 kg) RS SoPresbyterian Duluth, GA
    G/F 11 Mark Vital 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)250 lb (113 kg) RS SrAdvanced Prep International Lake Charles, LA
    G 12 Jared Butler 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)195 lb (88 kg) JrRiverside Academy Reserve, LA
    G/F 13 Jackson Moffatt (W) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)200 lb (91 kg) RS SoMagnolia Magnolia, TX
    F 23 Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)245 lb (111 kg) RS SoUNLV Douala, Cameroon
    G/F 24 Matthew Mayer 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)225 lb (102 kg) JrWestlake Austin, TX
    G 31 MaCio Teague 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg) RS SrUNC Asheville Cincinnati, OH
    F 32 Zach Loveday 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)215 lb (98 kg) FrHuntington Prep Gallipolis, OH
    G 35 Mark Paterson (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)180 lb (82 kg) GSSt. Edward's Dallas, TX
    F 42 Dain Dainja 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)270 lb (122 kg) FrPark Center Brooklyn Park, MN
    G 45 Davion Mitchell 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)205 lb (93 kg) RS JrAuburn Hinesville, GA
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)

    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    Roster
    Last update: November 10, 2020

    Schedule and results

    The Bears' initial schedule included participation in the Empire Classic at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, where they would have played Arizona State on November 25, followed by either Villanova or Boston College on November 26; however, the Bears were forced to withdraw after Scott Drew announced he had tested positive for COVID-19.[17] The Bears were likewise forced to cancel their game scheduled for November 29 against Seton Hall.[17]

    Date
    time, TV
    Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Regular Season
    November 28, 2020*
    7:00 p.m., FloHoops
    No. 2 vs. Louisiana W 112–82  1–0
     21  Teague  7  Teague  7  Mitchell  T-Mobile Arena (0)
    Paradise, NV
    November 29, 2020*
    5:00 p.m., FloHoops
    No. 2 vs. Washington W 86–52  2–0
     20  Butler  15  Vital  7  Mitchell  T-Mobile Arena (0)
    Paradise, NV
    December 2, 2020*
    9:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 vs. No. 5 Illinois
    Jimmy V Classic
    W 82–69  3–0
     18  Flagler  8  Tchatchoua  7  Mitchell  Bankers Life Fieldhouse (0)
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    December 5, 2020*
    12:00 p.m., CBS
    No. 2 vs. No. 1 Gonzaga
    Cancelled due to COVID-19 issues
    Bankers Life Fieldhouse 
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    December 9, 2020*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 2 Stephen F. Austin
    Replaced game against Nicholls scheduled for December 8
    W 83–52  4–0
     14  Flagler  6  Tie  7  Tie  Ferrell Center (2,350)
    Waco, Texas
    December 13, 2020
    2:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 No. 13 Texas
    Cancelled due to COVID-19 issues
    Ferrell Center 
    Waco, Texas
    December 15, 2020*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 2 Tarleton State
    Cancelled due to COVID-19 issues
    Ferrell Center 
    Waco, Texas
    December 19, 2020
    3:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 2 at Kansas State W 100–69  5–0
    (1–0)
     23  Teague  10  Teague  13  Butler  Bramlage Coliseum (848)
    Manhattan, Kansas
    December 21, 2020*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 2 Arkansas–Pine Bluff W 99–42  6–0
     15  Cryer  8  Tied  7  Butler  Ferrell Center (2,350)
    Waco, Texas
    December 29, 2020*
    3:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 2 Central Arkansas W 93–56  7–0
     20  Teague  11  Tchatchoua  12  Mitchell  Ferrell Center (0)
    Waco, Texas
    December 30, 2020*
    2:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 2 Alcorn State W 105–76  8–0
     18  Teague  8  Tchatchoua  10  Mitchell  Ferrell Center (2,350)
    Waco, Texas
    January 2, 2021
    12:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 2 at Iowa State W 76–65  9–0
    (2–0)
     21  Butler  10  Tchatchoua  5  Butler  Hilton Coliseum (1,318)
    Ames, Iowa
    January 6, 2021
    8:00 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 2 Oklahoma W 76–61  10–0
    (3–0)
     17  Teague  8  Vital  4  Mitchell  Ferrell Center (2,350)
    Waco, Texas
    January 9, 2021
    1:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 at TCU W 67–49  11–0
    (4–0)
     28  Butler  8  Butler  6  Mitchell  Schollmaier Arena (1,891)
    Fort Worth, Texas
    January 16, 2021
    3:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 at No. 15 Texas Tech W 68–60  12–0
    (5–0)
     19  Mitchell  5  Tie  3  Butler  United Supermarkets Arena (4,250)
    Lubbock, Texas
    January 18, 2021
    8:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 No. 9 Kansas W 77–69  13–0
    (6–0)
     30  Butler  10  Vital  8  Butler  Ferrell Center (2,350)
    Waco, Texas
    January 23, 2021
    1:00 p.m., CBS
    No. 2 at Oklahoma State W 81–66  14–0
    (7–0)
     22  Butler  7  Mayer  9  Mitchell  Gallagher-Iba Arena (3,350)
    Stillwater, Oklahoma
    January 27, 2021
    8:00 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 2 Kansas State W 107–59  15–0
    (8–0)
     31  Mitchell  7  Butler  5  Tied  Ferrell Center (2,350)
    Waco, Texas
    January 30, 2021*
    3:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 Auburn
    Big 12/SEC Challenge
    W 84–72  16–0
     19  Flagler  11  Thamba  7  Mitchell  Ferrell Center (2,350)
    Waco, Texas
    February 2, 2021
    6:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 at No. 6 Texas W 83–69  17–0
    (9–0)
     27  Mitchell  6  Tied  4  Mitchell  Frank Erwin Center (2,532)
    Austin, Texas
    February 6, 2021
    3:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 2 TCU
    Cancelled due to COVID-19 issues within Baylor
    Ferrell Center 
    Waco, Texas
    February 10, 2021
    5:00 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 2 at No. 12 Oklahoma
    Cancelled due to COVID-19 issues within Baylor
    Lloyd Noble Center 
    Norman, Oklahoma
    February 13, 2021
    1:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 No. 7 Texas Tech
    Cancelled due to COVID-19 issues within Baylor
    Ferrell Center 
    Waco, Texas
    February 15, 2021
    8:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 at No. 13 West Virginia
    Cancelled due to COVID-19 issues within Baylor
    WVU Coliseum 
    Morgantown, West Virginia
    February 18, 2021
    4:00 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 2 No. 13 West Virginia
    Rescheduled from January 12; Cancelled due to COVID-19 issues within Baylor
    Ferrell Center 
    Waco, Texas
    February 20, 2021
    3:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 Oklahoma State
    Cancelled due to COVID-19 issues within Baylor
    Ferrell Center 
    Waco, Texas
    February 23, 2021
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 2 Iowa State W 77–72  18–0
    (10–0)
     22  Flagler  15  Vital  4  Mitchell  Ferrell Center (2,350)
    Waco, Texas
    February 25, 2021
    4:00 pm, ESPN2
    No. 2 No. 10 West Virginia
    Rescheduled from February 18, Canceled due to COVID-19 issues within West Virginia
    Ferrell Center 
    Waco, Texas
    February 27, 2021
    7:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 at No. 17 Kansas L 58–71  18–1
    (10–1)
     18  Teague  8  Teague  3  Tied  Allen Fieldhouse (2,600)
    Lawrence, Kansas
    March 2, 2021
    4:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 3 at No. 6 West Virginia
    Rescheduled from February 15
    W 94–89 OT 19–1
    (11–1)
     25  Butler  8  Vital  6  Butler  WVU Coliseum (2,800)
    Morgantown, West Virginia
    March 4, 2021
    6:00 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 3 No. 17 Oklahoma State
    Rescheduled from February 20
    W 81–70  20–1
    (12–1)
     22  Butler  7  Mayer  7  Mitchell  Ferrell Center (2,350)
    Waco, Texas
    March 7, 2021
    3:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 3 No. 18 Texas Tech
    Rescheduled from February 13
    W 88–73  21–1
    (13–1)
     35  Teague  15  Vital  7  Mitchell  Ferrell Center (2,350)
    Waco, Texas
    Big 12 Tournament
    March 11, 2021
    1:30 pm, ESPN
    (1) No. 2 vs. (9) Kansas State
    Quarterfinals
    W 74–68  22–1
     24  Teague  10  Vital  6  Vital  T-Mobile Center (3,491)
    Kansas City, MO
    March 12, 2021
    5:30 pm, ESPN
    (1) No. 2 vs. (5) No. 12 Oklahoma State
    Semifinals
    L 74–83  22–2
     17  Teague  10  Vital  3  Mitchell  T-Mobile Center (3,298)
    Kansas City, MO
    NCAA Tournament
    March 19, 2021
    2:30 pm, truTV
    (1 S) No. 3 vs. (16 S) Hartford
    First Round
    W 79–55  23–2
     22  Teague  9  Mayer  9  Butler  Lucas Oil Stadium (5,837)
    Indianapolis, IN
    March 21, 2021
    1:40 pm, CBS
    (1 S) No. 3 vs. (9 S) Wisconsin
    Second Round
    W 76–63  24–2
     17  Mayer  7  Vital  8  Mitchell  Hinkle Fieldhouse 
    Indianapolis, IN
    March 27, 2021
    4:15 pm, CBS
    (1 S) No. 3 vs. (5 S) No. 18 Villanova
    Sweet Sixteen
    W 62–51  25–2
     16  Flagler  9  Vital  3  Butler  Hinkle Fieldhouse 
    Indianapolis, IN
    March 29, 2021
    8:57 pm, CBS
    (1 S) No. 3 vs. (3 S) No. 10 Arkansas
    Elite Eight
    W 81–72  26–2
     22  Teague  6  Tchatchoua  6  Mitchell  Lucas Oil Stadium (7,519)
    Indianapolis, IN
    April 3, 2021
    4:14 pm, CBS
    (1 S) No. 3 vs. (2 MW) No. 6 Houston
    Final Four
    W 78–59  27–2
     17  Butler  6  Tchatchoua  11  Mitchell  Lucas Oil Stadium (8,131)
    Indianapolis, IN
    April 5, 2021
    8:20 pm, CBS
    (1 S) No. 3 vs. (1 W) No. 1 Gonzaga
    National Championship
    W 86–70  28–2
     22  Butler  11  Vital  7  Butler  Lucas Oil Stadium 
    Indianapolis, IN
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
    All times are in Central Time.

    source: [18]

    Rankings

    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    ( ) = First place votes.
    Week
    PollPre12345678910111213141516Final
    AP2 (24)2 (6)2 (7)2 (7)2 (3)2 (2)2 (1)2 (1)2 (2)2 (3)2 (3)2 (8)2 (5)2 (4)32 (2)3Not released
    Coaches1 (12)1 (12)^2 (8)2 (6)2 (5)2 (3)2 (3)2 (3)2 (3)2 (3)2 (4)2 (4)2 (4)2 (4)3231 (32)

    ^Coaches did not release a Week 1 poll.

    See also

    References

    1. "Kansas State vs. Baylor - Game Recap - March 11, 2021 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    2. "Oklahoma State inches closer to Big 12 Tournament title, but Baylor may benefit from upset loss". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    3. jwerner@wacotrib.com, JOHN WERNER. "Baylor Bears No. 1 seed in NCAA tournament". WacoTrib.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    4. "Hartford vs. Baylor - Game Recap - March 19, 2021 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    5. Goldberg, Rob. "No. 1 Baylor Holds Off No. 9 Wisconsin to Advance in 2021 NCAA Tournament". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    6. "NCAA Tournament 2021: No. 1 seed Baylor rallies in second half vs. Villanova to move on to Elite Eight". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    7. "Arkansas vs. Baylor - Box Score - March 29, 2021 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    8. "Baylor vs. Arkansas score, takeaways: Bears in first Final Four since 1950 after holding off Razorbacks". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    9. AP (2021-04-03). "University of Houston's men's basketball team ends great season". ABC13 Houston. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    10. "Baylor vs. Houston score: Bears overwhelm Cougars to advance to national title game". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    11. "Baylor vs. Gonzaga - Game Recap - April 5, 2021 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    12. "Baylor Defeats Gonzaga To Win Its 1st Men's NCAA Basketball Championship". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    13. "2019-20 Baylor Bears Schedule and Results". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    14. "2020 Big 12 Tournament canceled Thursday amid coronavirus pandemic concerns". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    15. "NCAA tournaments canceled over coronavirus". ESPN.com. 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
    16. "Baylor Picked as Big 12 Preseason Favorite for First Time". big12sports.com.
    17. Gardner, Michelle (23 November 2020). "College basketball COVID updates: No. 1 Baylor stays home; Wichita State must return home after positive tests". Archived from the original on 2020-11-24. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
    18. "2020-21 Men's Basketball Schedule". Baylor University. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
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