Who Won the Double NCAA Tournament?
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament is one of the most exciting events in college sports. It’s a single-elimination tournament that pits the greatest teams in the nation against one another. Every year, the tournament’s champion earns the title of National Champion. But in 2020, one team earned the title of double champion: the Baylor Bears.
Baylor Bears: The Double National Champions
The Baylor Bears, from the Big 12 Conference, won both the men’s and women’s NCAA championships in 2020. The men’s team won their first national championship in program history, while the women’s team won their third title in four years.
Jared Butler was the star of the men’s team. The junior guard from Louisiana scored 22 points in the team’s 86-70 win over Gonzaga in the championship game. He also earned Most Outstanding Player honors for the tournament.
Lauren Cox was the leader of the women’s team. The senior forward from Texas scored 15 points in the team’s 82-81 overtime win over Notre Dame in the championship game. She was named Most Outstanding Player for the tournament.
The Road to the Double Championship
The Baylor Bears had impressive runs in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. The men’s team was the top seed in the South Region and they cruised through the first three rounds, beating Hartford, Wisconsin, and Villanova to reach the Elite Eight. They then beat Arkansas 81-72 to reach the Final Four. In the Final Four, they faced off against Houston and won 78-59 to reach the championship game.
The women’s team was the top seed in the Dallas Region and they breezed through the first three rounds, beating South Dakota State, Iowa, and Oregon to reach the Elite Eight. They then beat Stanford 86-78 to reach the Final Four. In the Final Four, they faced off against UConn and won 78-63 to reach the championship game.
The Impact of the Double Championship
The double championship was a monumental accomplishment for Baylor University. The men’s team earned their first national championship in program history, while the women’s team earned their third title in four years. It was also the first time that a university had won both the men’s and women’s titles in the same year.
The double championship was celebrated by the entire university. The school held a parade to honor both teams and the players were featured in a special edition of Sports Illustrated. Baylor also received a $1 million bonus from the NCAA for winning both titles.
The Legacy of the Double Championship
The double championship was a historic accomplishment for Baylor University. It was a momentous achievement for the school and the community. It was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches.
The double championship has also had a lasting impact on the university. It has raised the profile of the school and made it one of the top programs in the country. It has also inspired future generations of athletes to strive for greatness.
What the Future Holds for Baylor
The double championship was a remarkable accomplishment for Baylor University. But the school is not resting on its laurels. The men’s and women’s teams have already won several championships in the past few years, and they are looking to add more in the future.
The men’s team is led by Jared Butler and MaCio Teague, two talented guards who will be returning for their senior seasons. The team also has a talented recruiting class that includes guard Davion Mitchell and forward Matthew Mayer. The women’s team is led by Lauren Cox and DiDi Richards, two experienced seniors who will be returning for their final seasons. The team also has a talented recruiting class that includes guard Aquira DeCosta and forward NaLyssa Smith.
Other Notable NCAA Tournament Winners
The Baylor Bears are not the only team to have won the NCAA Tournament in recent years. Other notable winners include:
Men’s Winners
- Virginia Cavaliers (2019)
- Villanova Wildcats (2018)
- North Carolina Tar Heels (2017)
- Duke Blue Devils (2015)
- Connecticut Huskies (2014)
Women’s Winners
- Oregon Ducks (2019)
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2018)
- South Carolina Gamecocks (2017)
- UConn Huskies (2016)
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2015)
Conclusion
The Baylor Bears won the double NCAA Tournament in 2020, earning their first men’s national championship in program history and their third women’s title in four years. It was a monumental accomplishment for the school and the community, and it has raised the profile of the university. The double championship has also inspired future generations of athletes to strive for greatness.
The double championship has cemented the legacy of the Baylor Bears and has solidified the school’s place as one of the top programs in the nation. The team has already won several championships in the past few years, and they are looking to add more in the future. The double championship is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches, and it is a reminder that anything is possible.