Sunday’s showdown between No. 2 Baylor and No. 6 Villanova, a rematch of last season’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 clash, yielded a similar result.
It wasn’t a sweet ending for the ‘Cats, who struggled to muster an answer for the Bears’ length and overwhelming defense. Undefeated Baylor prevailed, 57-36, solidifying its spot as the new No. 1 team come Monday’s AP poll.
Gone are last year’s catalysts in Baylor’s national championship run — Davion Mitchell, MaCio Teague and Jared Butler — but the new-look Bears have proven to be just as dangerous and tenacious on both ends of the court.