WACO _ No one knows exactly what this means, but this year's Baylor men's and women's basketball teams had the dubious distinction of becoming the only programs to lose to both eventual national champions in the NCAA Tournament.
The Baylor men lost to Duke, 78-71, in the Elite 8. Duke went on to defeat Butler, 61-59, in the national championship game.
The Baylor women lost to Connecticut, 70-50, in the semifinals of the Final Four. UConn went on to defeat Stanford, 53-47, in the national championship game.
Bears coach Scott Drew said his program's success was always influenced by the success of the Lady Bears.
"I know when we first got here and the women were successful that helped inspire and motivate our guys to do the same and give them confidence that they could (be successful),'' Drew said. "Again, with all the other sports being successful, that just helps all of us work together to put Baylor out there into the public.''
With two potential NBA first-round draft picks on the men's team in Ekpe Udoh and LaceDarius Dunn, and a sure-fire future No. 1 overall WNBA pick on the women's team in Brittney Griner, is Baylor quickly becoming known as a school that manufactures quality basketball players?
"Baylor Nation has great support,'' said Drew, giving credit to athletic director Ian McCaw. "They're there for you when you win and they're there for you when you lose.
"And I think it's an athletic department under Ian's leadership, and the school administration has made it competitive in all sports across the board. We have great coaches, great teams, and I think Baylor is just one of those secrets that's gotten out a lot more.''
-- Dwain Price
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