2021 NCAA Final Four live updates: No. 1 Baylor vs. No. 2 Houston score and analysis
NCAA tournament results: Hartford, 79-55; Wisconsin, 76-63; Villanova, 62-51; Arkansas, 81-72
Elite Eight: Arkansas committed 15 turnovers leading to 21 points for Baylor, which is playing in its first Final Four in 71 years.
Baylor will face Houston in a clash between old Southwest Conference foes. The Bears have the country’s sixth-highest scoring offense (83 points per game). They used it to pull away early then fend off a second half challenge from No. 3 Arkansas in the Elite Eight. The game — and Baylor’s tournament run — showcased the most visible of the team’s strengths: its guards.
MaCio Teague scored a game-high 22 points against Arkansas, leading a Bears offense that shot 8-for-15 from three-point range (53.3 percent) and led by as many as 18 points in an 81-72 victory.
The Bears were less productive in the first half against No. 5 Villanova in the Sweet 16, however, mustering just 23 points and falling behind by seven by halftime. But their guards, namely Davion Mitchell and Adam Flagler, took control after intermission. The Bears harassed the Wildcats, forcing 16 turnovers (to Baylor’s six), and outscoring Villanova 22-4 off those takeaways. They won, 62-51.
All-American Jared Butler, arguably Baylor’s best guard, has yet to lead the team in scoring this postseason. But his 29 total points helped push Baylor past Hartford and Wisconsin in the first two rounds.
