Back in 2021, Nicki Collen stepped into big shoes when she was named Baylor’s head coach, conscious of the legacy she had to uphold. Kim Mulkey, her predecessor, spent 21 years at the program, winning a dozen Big 12 titles, four Final Fours, and three national championships, a level of pressure only a few would envy. But she knew what she was doing. “I’m like everyone else. I know that you don’t follow the legend. You follow the coach that follows the legend,” Collen mentioned back then, and her approach is now paying off, as Baylor recently secured a big result over No. 7 Duke.

After winning the opener, Nicki Collen reflected on the team’s growing reputation and the challenge ahead. WacoTrib Sports Dept shared her words: “You get wins like this and the target gets bigger,” Collen said. “I don’t think anyone comes to Baylor and doesn’t think there’s a target on your back. It’s about proving it. We don’t want anything handed to us. We’re fine working from the underdog role, but that’s gone now. From here on out, we’re going to get chased.”

This season marks Nicki Collen’s fifth at the helm, bringing experience, confidence, and a roster hungry to prove itself. From day one, she made waves, notching 28 wins, the most by any rookie head coach in the country. Collen led Baylor to its 12th consecutive Big 12 regular-season title and its 11th straight top-two NCAA Tournament seed, proving she could uphold the high standards set by her predecessor.

From the moment Nicki Collen took over, her influence was felt in the heart of Baylor’s locker room. She immediately pushed a style centered on perimeter shooting, transforming her team from one of the nation’s lower-ranked 3-point squads to just outside the top 50, setting program records with 233 made threes on 678 attempts in her debut season. Beyond stats, her coaching nurtured WNBA talent; NaLyssa Smith (No. 2) and Queen Egbo (No. 10) made history as the program’s first duo picked in the top 10 in the 2022 draft.

The success kept coming for the Bears. Heading into this past offseason, Nicki Collen firmly focused on building a culture of motivation and accountability. With core players like Bella Fontleroy and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs returning, she emphasized the importance of continuity and leadership.

“So having four players in our program starting year four, that’s unusual in this day and age,” Collen admitted. “They all impact us significantly, and that allows them to set the tone in the locker room. Our culture has never been better.” 

The message was clear: this team is hungry and ready to chase unfinished business.

Adding six new players and three new coaches, including a triple swoop from Auburn: Associate HC Johnnie Harris, redshirt sophomore Taliah Scott, and sophomore Yuting Deng; Nicki Collen also reshaped the locker room dynamics. Practices, workouts, and team meetings weren’t solely about discussing basketball; they were about instilling mindset, leadership, and a shared purpose among the group.

By the time the season tipped off, the Bears were more than prepared. That preparation, combined with the culture Collen had fostered, was evident in a statement-opening win against Duke.

Taliah Scott shines as Baylor stuns No. 7 Duke in season opener

No. 16 Baylor started the 2025–26 season with a statement win, stunning No. 7 Duke 58-52 in Paris. The game was tied 43-43 heading into the fourth quarter, but Baylor had a secret weapon: Taliah Scott. She erupted for 12 of her 24 points in the final frame, scoring off a steal, a layup, a jumper, and more to give the Bears a 49-43 lead.

With Duke desperately trying to claw back, Scott calmly sank four straight free throws, pushing Baylor ahead 56-48 with just over a minute to go. She finished the game 8-for-10 from the line and added five defensive rebounds, three assists, and a game-changing steal. She wasn’t alone, but her performance highlighted Baylor’s balance and execution.

Littlepage-Buggs posted her 31st career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Kiersten Johnson grabbed eight boards while scoring Baylor’s first points of the season. Fresh faces like Marcayla Johnson and Yuting Deng added critical points, proving the depth of this new-look roster.

“Yeah, I think we just came out more aggressive,” Scott said after the win. “We knew Duke was going to come out physical, especially in the fourth quarter. We matched their physicality, executed our offense, and credit to my teammates for setting me up.”

This victory wasn’t just about a season opener; it was historic as Nicki Collen’s side improved to 16-1 in games played outside the U.S., marking their first win overall outside North America. Up next, Baylor returns home on Sunday to Foster Pavilion to host Lindenwood at 2 p.m. CT.