HoopsHD continues its simulation of what would have happened in TTTW (The Tournament That Wasn’t). Up next it is time to continue with the First and Second rounds of the NCAA Tournament with a look at the first of the four pods in the Midwest Region. Baylor was the #1 seed in the Midwest and #2 overall team entering the Big Dance. Their potential journey towards the Final Four was beginning in Omaha with a game against 16-seed Texas Southern. After that, an always-exciting 8 vs 9 game between Colorado and Houston is in store. Time to find out what would have happened!
FIRST ROUND – MIDWEST REGION – OMAHA, NEBRASKA
(1) Baylor vs (16) Texas Southern
The Baylor Bears had an amazing season in 2019-20, winning 29 games, finishing in second place in the Big 12, and capturing the Big 12 Tournament title. The Bears entered the NCAA Tournament as the #2 overall ranked team and captured the 1-seed in the Midwest Region. Their quest for a spot in the Final Four in Atlanta began with a game against 16-seed Texas Southern. The SWAC champion Tigers had knocked off North Carolina A&T in the First Four by 19 points.
The Tigers played a strong game against Baylor, staying within 8 points at halftime. Justin Hopkins led the way for head coach Johnny Jones’ team with 20 points in the game. However, that was simply not enough to upend the Bears. Jared Butler scored 20, MaCio Teague had a dozen and Davion Mitchell added 11 points to lead Baylor to an 83-67 win and a spot in the Round of 32. For Texas Southern, it was time to head home and celebrate a SWAC tournament title and a First Four win. For Baylor, it was time to scout the 8 vs 9 game between Colorado and Houston and prepare for their next opponent.
Final Score: (1) Baylor 83, (16) Texas Southern 67
(8) Colorado vs (9) Houston
The Baylor Bears were waiting for one of two potential ex-conference rivals in the Round of 32. The Pac-12’s Colorado Buffaloes had formerly been in the Big 12 with Baylor, while the American’s Houston Cougars were old Southwest Conference rivals. Colorado had, at times, looked like the best team in the Pac-12 this season, but had apparently fallen apart down the stretch and entered the NCAA Tournament on a five game losing streak. Houston had looked like they would run away with the AAC several times this season, but kept finding ways to fall back to the pack, and ended in a three-way tie for the league’s regular season crown.
Colorado’s late-season struggles carried over to the start of this game, as Houston jumped out early and built a 47-38 halftime lead. The Buffs fought back hard in the second half, taking the lead by the first media timeout and eventually pulling ahead by as many as 7 points. Houston was not done either though, and an 18-3 run put the Cougars up for good. A Colorado 3 at the buzzer made the final score, 77-72, look closer than it really was. Marcus Sasser led the way for Houston with 18 points, and a date was set for a second round matchup between a pair of former Southwest Conference members – Houston would get their shot at 1-seed Baylor.
Final Score: (9) Houston 77, (8) Colorado 72
SECOND ROUND – MIDWEST REGION – OMAHA, NEBRASKA
(1) Baylor vs (9) Houston
Two old rivals would meet in Omaha with a berth in the Sweet 16 on the line. Baylor, the 1-seed, entered the game on a roll, having bounced back from a late-season slump to win the Big 12 Tournament and roll over Texas Southern in the Round of 64. Houston had taken care of Colorado in their first game of the NCAA Tournament and head coach Kelvin Sampson now had his eyes set on an upset win and a trip to Indianapolis next week.
The Baylor Bears came ready for business in this game. They jumped on Houston early, building a 13-point lead midway through the first period. Houston was able to trim that lead down to 7 at the break. The Cougars came out strong in the second half as well, and with 14:30 left to play took a 55-54 lead over the Bears. Apparently, Baylor did not take kindly to seeing Houston in front, as they stormed back, dominating the majority of the remainder of the game. A few baskets late cut a 14-point lead down to 9, but that was more than enough for Baylor to get the win and earn a trip to the Midwest Regional in Indianapolis. Jared Butler was the top scorer in the game with 25 points, as he and his Baylor teammates secured the 88-79 win.
Final Score: (1) Baylor 88, (9) Houston 79
