Baylor Lady Bears
Big 12 (29-4, 16-2)
The Baylor Bears came into this season a little under the radar for their standards, as the expectations for them to compete for a national championship where uncertain with the departure of Brittney Griner. Well, the Bears, led by the best guard in women’s college basketball, Odyssey Sims, are once again in the midst of the conversation with Connecticut and Notre Dame as a national title threat.
Big Wins: 1/8 at West Virginia (78-62), 1/26 at Oklahoma State (69-66), 2/16 at Texas (72-56)
Bad Losses: 12/6 vs Kentucky (130-133), 1/19 at Kansas (60-76), 3/2 West Virginia (69-71)
Coach: Kim Mulkey (14 seasons at Baylor)
Why They Can Surprise:
The Bears have an unbelievable difference maker in Odyssey Sims. She has taken the mantle of having to be the team leader and ran with it. Sims has had some off the charts offensive performances against quality teams like West Virginia and Kentucky where she scored 48 and 47 points, respectively. The offense as a whole has shown signs of being very explosive many times this season especially when they have gotten some balance in their overall attack to compliment Sims from players like Nina Davis. Also, the pressure will be off of this team as no one in the mainstream is going to expect the Bears to win the national title this season. Thus, this makes Baylor that much more dangerous as they can play loose and free against everyone.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The chance for disappointment can come if the Bears get stagnant offensively and let Sims do everything. Teams will most likely concede Sims her points and lock down everyone else. Thus, getting production from Davis, Mackenzie Robertson and Sun Agbuke down in the post is going to be critical for Baylor to make another deep run toward the Final Four.
Probable Starters:
Odyssey Sims, Senior, Guard, 28.4 ppg, 4.6 apg, 4.5 rpg
Mackenzie Robertson, Senior, Guard, 7.4 ppg, 1.7 apg
Niya Johnson, Sophomore, Guard, 5.1 ppg, 6.4 apg
Nina Davis, Freshman, Forward, 14.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg
Sune Agbuke, Junior, Center, 6.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Imani Wright, Freshman, Guard, 5.5 ppg
Ieshia Small, Freshman, Guard, 3.2 ppg, 1.3 apg
Kristina Higgins, Sophomore, Center, 4.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 85.1 (3rd in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 62.0 (58, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.2 (36, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 35.5 (16, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.7 (129, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.4 (59, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.3 (87, 3)
Rebound Margin: 11.3 (6, 2)
Assists Per Game: 19.4 (5, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.4 (13, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Prairie View A&M
2013 NCAA Round of 32 win over Florida State
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Louisville
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over UC Santa Barbara
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over Florida
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Georgia Tech
2012 NCAA Regional Final win over Tennessee
2012 NCAA National Semifinal win over Stanford
2012 NCAA National Championship win over Notre Dame
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Prairie View A&M
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over West Virginia
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Green Bay
2011 NCAA Regional Final loss to Texas A&M
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Fresno State
2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Georgetown
2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal win Tennessee
2010 NCAA Regional Final win Duke
2010 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Connecticut
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Texas-San Antonio
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over South Dakota State
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Louisville
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Fresno State
2008 NCAA Round OF 32 loss to Pittsburgh
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Chattanooga
2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina State
2005 NCAA Round of 64 win over Illinois State
2005 NCAA Round of 32 win over Oregon
2005 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Minnesota
2005 NCAA Regional Final win over North Carolina
2005 NCAA National Semifinal win over LSU
2005 NCAA National Final win over Michigan State
*all team stats through 3/6
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
