Baylor’s NCAA Basketball History
Baylor has a long and storied history in NCAA basketball, dating back to the early days of the sport. The Bears have won numerous conference championships and made deep runs in the NCAA tournament, but have never won a national championship. Still, Baylor is one of the most successful programs in the history of the sport.
Baylor’s First NCAA Tournament Appearance
Baylor made its first NCAA tournament appearance in 1946, when the Bears went 22-5 and won the Southwest Conference regular season title under head coach Bill Henderson. Baylor lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Denver, 42-40.
Baylor’s first NCAA Tournament Win
Baylor made its first ever NCAA tournament appearance in 1946, but it would be another 25 years before the Bears won their first NCAA tournament game. That came in 1971, when Baylor defeated Purdue 92-74 in the Midwest Regional semifinals. The Bears went on to lose to eventual national champion UCLA in the regional final.
Baylor’s First NCAA Tournament Final Four Appearance
In 1948, Baylor made its first NCAA tournament appearance under head coach Bill Henderson. The Bears lost in the national semifinal to Adolph Rupp’s Kentucky Wildcats, 58–42. This would be the only time Baylor made it to the Final Four until 2021.
Baylor’s Most Successful NCAA Basketball Seasons
Baylor has a long and successful history in NCAA basketball. The Bears have made it to the NCAA tournament 27 times, with their most recent appearance in 2021. They have also won the tournament twice, in 1948 and 1950.
Baylor’s Best NCAA Tournament Finish
Baylor’s best NCAA tournament finish came in 2012 when the Bears made it all the way to the Elite Eight. That year, Baylor won two close games in the first two rounds before upsetting Xavier in the Sweet Sixteen. In the Elite Eight, Baylor lost to eventual national champion Kentucky.
Baylor’s Worst NCAA Tournament Finish
In Baylor’s worst NCAA tournament finish, the Bears lost in the first round to Wagner in 2008. Baylor finished the season 21-11 and had a RPI of 68.
Baylor’s NCAA Basketball Rivalries
Baylor has a long and storied history in NCAA basketball, and the team has had some great rivalries over the years. Some of Baylor’s NCAA basketball rivals include the Texas Longhorns, the Kansas Jayhawks, and the Oklahoma Sooners.
The Jayhawks and the Longhorns are two of Baylor’s biggest rivals in any sport. The Sooners are also a big rival, especially in men’s basketball.
Baylor’s NCAA Tournament Appearances
Baylor has made 22 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament appearances. Their first appearance came in 1946, when the Bears went 1-1 in the tournament. Baylor’s most recent appearance was in 2019, when they lost in the first round to Syracuse. In total, Baylor has won 12 NCAA tournament games, with their best showing coming in 1950, when they reached the Elite Eight.
Baylor University has a long and proud tradition in NCAA basketball, having made 27 appearances in the tournament since 1953. The Bears have a strong record in the tournament, reaching the Sweet Sixteen on 11 occasions and the Elite Eight on five occasions. Baylor has also made two appearances in the Final Four, in 1948 and 1950, but sadly has never been crowned national champions. Nevertheless, Baylor remains one of the top basketball programs in the country and always provides entertainment and drama when they take to the court in March Madness.
Has Baylor Ever Won NCAA
Baylor has won five NCAA tournament championships, in 1948, 1950, 1988, 2012 and 2021. The 1948 and 1950 titles were won by the Bears’ “Perfect Season” teams that went 32-0 and 28-0 respectively, while the 1988 team was led by future NBA star Clyde Drexler. The 2012 and 2021 championship teams were led by All-American center Brittney Griner.
It has been almost 60 years since Baylor made its first NCAA tournament appearance. The Bears have made 16 total appearances in the NCAA tournament, with their most recent appearance coming in 2019. Baylor has made it to the Elite Eight six times and the Final Four four times, but they have never won a national championship.
Baylor’s best season came in 2012-13, when the Bears went 30-8 and made it all the way to the Elite Eight. That team was led by future NBA players Perry Jones III and Quincy Miller. The Bears have also made four Sweet Sixteen appearances, with their most recent coming in 2018-19.
Baylor has a long history of success in the NCAA tournament, but they have never been able to win a national championship. With a young core of talented players, the Bears will be looking to make a deep run in the 2020 NCAA tournament and perhaps finally break through and win a national championship.