Imago
Apr 5, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The Baylor Bears celebrate after beating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the national championship game during the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
Apr 5, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The Baylor Bears celebrate after beating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the national championship game during the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
The Baylor Bears overcame all odds to win the 2021 March Madness final tonight. They beat the Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-70, to give them their only loss of the season, in the biggest game of the season. No one expected them to achieve this, but the Bears showed that they don’t fear anyone, not even a team that had lost zero games all season.
The Bears’ triumph was unexpected, and it spurred a lot of reactions on Twitter. Along with fans, NBA stars like Damian Lillard, Kendrick Perkins, and Magic Johnson also reacted.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Baylor ain’t having that shit tonight … just gotta finish it
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) April 6, 2021
Man…@BaylorMBB shot lights out! They were too quick, too fast, and too explosive on offense and their defense suffocated Gonzaga!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 6, 2021
Congrats @BaylorMBB for winning the National Championship and doing it in great fashion! Oh btw thanks for holding the state of Texas down got Damn it!!! #ItsATexasThang
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 6, 2021
Donovan Mitchell pulled up rocking Baylor's Davion Mitchell's jersey 😂
(via @utahjazz) pic.twitter.com/FV5SnWczGE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 6, 2021
We know Baylor is a great team, but their INTENT is something else!
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) April 6, 2021
Baylor tonight pic.twitter.com/sjCjAUrPck
— Dom2K☘🤦🏾♂️ (@Dom_2k) April 6, 2021
Baylor guards any time they got Timme on them pic.twitter.com/wtLZGrjpwN
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) April 6, 2021
Baylor every time Gonzaga gets it close to 10 pic.twitter.com/7YKs2G1KBk
— Bojack & Regular Show Fan Account (@Cam_Unstoppable) April 6, 2021
How Gonzaga shooting against Baylor: #NationalChampionship
pic.twitter.com/vdsXc2VIdN— Jay Shah (@TheJayShah3) April 6, 2021
Baylor Bears showed that they wanted it more
Coming into the game as the second favorites meant the Bears had a lot less pressure on them than the Bulldogs. They didn’t mind being behind on the paper, because they knew what they are capable of on-court. Right from the tip-off, they showed that they wanted it more, and they deservedly walked away as the champions.
The Bears reminded the Bulldogs that they are the best three-point shooting team in the country, by going 10-23 from three. They have multiple players on the court who can light it up, and they proved it tonight.
THE BAYLOR BEARS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 🐻🏆
(1) Baylor dominates (1) Gonzaga 86-70 to win the 2021 #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/JQwab10rDb
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 6, 2021
Baylor knew that Gonzaga was the best offensive team in the country. So they stepped up it defensively, right from the start. They were aggressive on switches, didn’t allow any room, forced turnovers, and controlled the glass. Their rebounding effort helped them to get 20 shots more than the Bulldogs, and they won, despite shooting 44% from the field.
Bears win their first-ever NCAA tournament title
This was the Bears’ first Final Four appearance since 1950. No one favored them to get past Illinois while filing out brackets, but while the Fighting Illini fell to an upset, the Bears kept their composure. They fought their way to their first-ever championship game and kept fighting to win their first-ever NCAA tournament title.
Coach Scott Drew will be incredibly proud of his boys, and he should be proud of himself too for tonight’s coaching masterclass.
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 5, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew reacts on the sidelines against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half during the national championship game in the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March Madness is famous for its upsets and the 2021 edition has had a lot. The Bears upsetting the Bulldogs in the final was the perfect way to close out this exciting tournament.
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