Momentum is one of the most important aspects of any basketball game.
With that being said, Baylor’s momentum may have just died at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas when the Bears lost to Texas 61-59 in overtime.
Trailing by 10 with 6:38 remaining and the Longhorns NCAA bubble bursting, Texas stormed back to send the game to overtime. In overtime, frustration and desperation took over for both teams as players started pushing, shoving and elbowing. Benches cleared and several players were ejected for leaving the bench area.
The Bears entered the game on a four-game winning streak, including victories against West Virginia and at Iowa State. Baylor had won seven of their previous nine games and nine of their last 12. Baylor had the momentum on their side and it looked like the Bears were the team who could swing that into a deep tournament run. Drew Scott’s squad was the team who got hot at the right time.
Now it seems the Bears peaked early. It’s not that they lost on the road to a desperate Texas team. A late stage loss can fuel a team to become stronger and remind them of the awful feeling, that can in turn, motivate them. But, it’s the way Baylor dropped the game. After blowing a lead, getting into a fracas and having players ejected, the Bears now must go back to the drawing board. Not only that, but they’ve awoken a sleeping giant that just happens to be their rival. All of a sudden Texas has taken the momentum and could be the team who peaking at the perfect time.
In addition, Baylor and Texas had an ugly display of sportsmanship after the game. As Baylor was heading to the locker room, and the Texas band was set to play the alma mater, the two teams continued to jaw at each other.
Sure, Baylor will probably bounce back with a win over Texas Tech. But, of the Bears get knocked out early in the Big 12 Tournament, the Bears could be their own worst enemy heading into the NCAA Tournament. That is the worst case scenario, and at this point, it’s extremely probable to happen.
