This article is part of our Final Four Preview series.
An All-Texas battle in the Final Four features two hungry squads that ended long droughts for their respective programs. Baylor returns to the Final Four for the first time in over 70 years; meanwhile, Houston gets back for the first time since the end of Phi Slama Jama's run in 1984.
The Bears were one of the two best teams in all of college basketball this season along with Gonzaga, and they imposed their will on the opposition during their run to the Final Four, winning every contest by nine points or more. By contrast, the Cougars eked out a couple of low scoring affairs, including scoring the final 13 points of their Second Round win over Rutgers and outlasting a furious comeback by Oregon State on the Elite 8.
This matchup will be a clash of styles. The Cougars allowed the second-fewest points per game in the NCAA this season at 57.5 per contest. Meanwhile, Baylor averaged 83.0 points per contest this year, which was 11th in the nation.
Baylor Bears, South Region No. 1 seed
Backcourt: The guards are undoubtedly the strength of this squad. The Bears are led by Big 12 Player of the Year Jared Butler, a versatile, all-purpose guard. However, Davion Mitchell may be the team's most important player. The Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year is no slouch on the offensive side of the floor either, leading the conference in three-point percentage, pacing the Bears in assists while also possessing an uncanny
