Andrew Pace
The Baylor Bears are the athletic teams that represent Baylor University in Waco, Texas. The Baylor men's basketball team has had its fair share of triumphs and tragedies. In 1927, ten Baylor students and basketball players were killed in a bus collision with a train. The team has since recovered from this tragedy, going on to achieve success in the sport. They have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament six times and were champions in 2013. They have also qualified for the Big 12 Tournament every year. In 2022, Baylor began construction on the Foster Pavilion, which will serve as the new permanent home for both the men's and women's basketball teams. However, in a game against Vanderbilt, the team suffered another setback when starting center Josh Ojianwuna sustained a knee injury. Despite this, the Bears jumped up a seed line after a strong finish to the season, and they will be competing in their sixth straight NCAA Tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Baylor Basketball Team's Home | Marrs McLean Gym, Heart O' Texas Fair Complex, Ferrell Center, Paul J. Meyer Arena, and Foster Pavilion |
| Baylor Basketball Team's History | The team was involved in a fatal bus-train collision in 1927; they set an NCAA record for most combined wins in four major collegiate sports in 2011-2012; they've had notable coaches like Ralph Wolf, Bill Menefee, and Scott Drew |
| Recent Performance | The men's basketball team finished outside the top 100 in the 2019-2020 season; in 2023, they had their first healthy game since December interrupted by a knee injury |
| Notable Players | Jordan Pope, VJ Edgecombe, Norchad Omier, Josh Ojianwuna, Dan Skillings Jr., Caden Powell |
| Achievements | NIT champions in 2013, 123 conference titles, 39 NCAA individual championships, 20 national titles in the 4 × 400-meter relay |
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What You'll Learn
Player injuries
The health of the Baylor Bears basketball team has been a topic of interest for fans and followers of the team. The team has had its fair share of injuries and setbacks over the years, which have impacted their performance and standing in the highly competitive world of college basketball.
One of the most tragic incidents in the team's history occurred on January 22, 1927, when a bus carrying the Baylor basketball team collided with a train in Round Rock, Texas. Ten members of the team and travelling party were killed in the accident, including players James Clyde "Abe" Kelly and Robert Hailey. This tragic event is remembered as the "Immortal Ten" and is commemorated each year at the Freshman Mass Meeting during homecoming.
In more recent times, the Baylor Bears men's basketball team has faced various injuries that have impacted their performance and roster depth. In their first game playing in Memorial Gymnasium since 1979, the team suffered an early setback when starting center Josh Ojianwuna went down with a knee injury just five minutes into the game. This incident highlighted the fragile nature of athletic careers and the constant risk of injury that players face.
The team has also experienced player transfers, with rising senior guard Dan Skillings Jr. and Rice forward Caden Powell announcing their commitment to the Bears. These transfers bring new talent and depth to the roster, which can help mitigate the impact of injuries and create a more resilient and dynamic team.
Head coach Scott Drew has his work cut out in managing the health and performance of the team. The Bears have a rich history in college basketball, having set an NCAA record during the 2011-2012 season for the most combined wins in the four major collegiate sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, and American football. They have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times and were champions in 2013.
Despite the challenges posed by injuries and roster changes, the Baylor Bears basketball team continues to strive for excellence. With a dedicated coaching staff and talented players, the team works tirelessly to overcome setbacks and maintain their competitive edge in the highly demanding world of college basketball.
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Coaching staff
The Baylor Bears men's basketball team has had a variety of coaches over the years, with varying levels of success. In the fallow period of the latter part of the 20th century, Bill Menefee stood out as the only coach with a career record of over .500 during his tenure from 1961 to 1973. He led the team to a national ranking in 1969, though they failed to make the postseason. Gene Iba also had some success, taking the team to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 38 years in 1988. However, his tenure ended in scandal when one of his players, Patrick Dennehy, was murdered by a former teammate, and Iba was forced to resign due to allegations of violating NCAA rules and making improper statements to the media.
Steve Smith took over as head coach after Iba and held the position until 2015 when he was not retained, ending his time at Baylor with a 744–523–1 record. He was replaced by former Pepperdine head coach Steve Rodriguez, who initially struggled with a 24–29 record in the 2016 season but improved to 34–23 in 2017. The current head coach is Scott Drew, who has been on a roll recently, attracting several talented transfers to the team.
The coaching staff at Baylor has had its fair share of challenges, with some coaches achieving success while others have struggled or faced scandals. However, under the current leadership of Scott Drew, the team is attracting top talent and is well-positioned for future success.
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Player transfers
The Baylor Bears men's basketball team has been busy in the transfer market, bringing in several new players to bolster their ranks. Head coach Scott Drew has been active in this regard, landing the Bears' third transfer in as many days with the addition of Cincinnati rising senior guard Dan Skillings Jr. Skillings Jr. announced his commitment to the Bears on Instagram, joining Rice forward Caden Powell, who is headed back to his hometown and is the sixth incoming transfer for the team.
VJ Edgecombe, a freshman guard, has been one of the standout performers for the Bears. He was named to the Jerry West Award Mid-Season Top 10 and also earned a spot on the media's All-Big 12 Second Team. Norchad Omier has also been impressive, joining Edgecombe on the All-Big 12 Second Team.
Wright, meanwhile, leads the team in assists per game (4.3) and is third in points per game (11.3). He holds the program record for assists as a freshman. The Bears have a strong foundation with these players and will look to build on their recent successes, including their sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
The team has faced some challenges, with starting center Josh Ojianwuna suffering a knee injury in a game against Vanderbilt. Despite this setback, the Bears have shown resilience and a strong transfer strategy, which should stand them in good stead for the future.
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Team performance
The Baylor Bears men's basketball team has had a rich history, with some notable achievements and setbacks. In recent years, the team has experienced a mix of successes and challenges.
During the 2011-2012 season, Baylor set an impressive NCAA record for most combined wins in four major collegiate sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, and American football. This showcases the university's strong athletic programme and the success of its teams across multiple sports.
The men's basketball team has also had its fair share of setbacks. In 2003, the programme was marred by scandal when Patrick Dennehy, a player for the team, was murdered by his former teammate Carlton Dotson. This tragic incident led to the resignation of then-coach Dave Bliss, who was accused of violating NCAA rules and making improper statements to the media.
More recently, the men's basketball team has faced some challenges on the court. In 2020, for the first time since the 2019-2020 pandemic-shortened season, the team finished with an offense ranked outside the top 100. This was a rare occurrence for the Bears, who are typically a competitive force in college basketball.
However, the team has shown resilience and a strong commitment to improvement. Ahead of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, the Bears landed their third transfer in as many days, demonstrating their active recruitment strategy and commitment to strengthening their roster. The team also jumped up a seed line after a strong finish to the season, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure and make a late push for success.
Overall, the Baylor Bears men's basketball team has a proud history and a recent track record of success, despite some setbacks. The team's performance in the 2022-2023 season, including their strong finish and active recruitment, bodes well for their future prospects and their goal of maintaining a competitive edge in college basketball.
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Stadium and facilities
Baylor University's basketball programs have access to a range of impressive facilities, including the new Foster Pavilion, which sits along the Brazos River and opened on January 2, 2024. The arena was made possible by a $100 million gift from Paul and Alejandra Foster in 2019 and cost $185 million to build. It has a capacity of 7,000 seats and provides a more intimate environment for basketball games compared to the Ferrell Center, Baylor's previous primary basketball facility.
The Foster Pavilion is designed to enhance the home-court advantage for Baylor basketball, with its size and layout ensuring a packed house of energetic fans for every game. The facility also includes practice courts, offices, shared spaces for strength and conditioning, athletic training areas, and enhancements for hosting non-athletic events, such as a full catering kitchen and additional dressing rooms.
The arena is part of a larger project to revitalise the riverfront area, with the City of Waco contributing funds to transform the surrounding area. This includes improvements to pedestrian walkways, lighting, roadways, and parking options, making the stadium accessible and well-integrated into the local infrastructure.
In exchange for Waco's financial contribution, the city is permitted to utilise the pavilion for concerts, performances, and other public events for a designated number of days each year. This arrangement showcases the pavilion's versatility and its potential to serve as a cultural and entertainment hub for the wider community, not just the university.
The Ferrell Center, which served as Baylor's primary basketball facility before the Foster Pavilion, still plays a role in the university's athletic programmes and continues to be an official facility for the Baylor Bears.
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Frequently asked questions
The Baylor Bears men's basketball team has been on a roll lately, landing their third transfer in as many days. The team is headed for their sixth straight NCAA Tournament, led by their top-ranked recruit who will likely become the program's highest NBA draft pick.
Baylor basketball has had its fair share of successes and scandals. In the 14 seasons from 1998 to 2012, Coach Smith led the team to 12 NCAA Regional appearances, 4 NCAA Super Regional appearances, 3 regular-season conference titles, and a College World Series appearance. However, in 2003, the program was plagued by a scandal involving the murder of a player, Patrick Dennehy, by a former teammate.
On January 22, 1927, a bus carrying the Baylor basketball team collided with a train in Round Rock, Texas, resulting in the deaths of ten students and players. In the fall of 2005, the university completed renovations on the Bear Habitat, a $1 million facility that includes a thirteen-foot waterfall, pools, dens, and grass.
