TULSA -- Without fail this season, senior Ish Wainright would feign a blank look when asked about Baylor's first-round NCAA exits the past two seasons.
Despite pleading ignorance, Wainright still knew all too well. He got calls from friends, pleading with him not to bust their brackets.
Now, he doesn't have to deal with those questions anymore. No busted brackets or broken hearts.
"Now we can let that go," Wainright said after a 91-73 first-round win Friday over 14th-seeded New Mexico State (28-6) at the BOK Center.
For the first time since 2014, Baylor (26-7) has survived its opening game in the NCAA tournament, albeit with a first-half scare.