Stanford and Baylor Are the New NCAA Champs

The US has two new college basketball champions. On Sunday, Stanford beat Arizona for the NCAA women’s title. Last night, Baylor completely controlled the game to defeat Gonzaga and become the NCAA men’s champions.

This is the first NCAA basketball tournament since 2019. Last year, the tournament was canceled because of the coronavirus. 

Even this year, it wasn’t certain at first whether the tournament could be held. The pandemic caused many games to be canceled during the regular season.

Stanford 54 – Arizona 53

The Stanford Cardinal held on at the end of a tight game to beat the Arizona Wildcats 54-53 on Sunday night. Though Stanford led for most of the game, they were never able to completely shut the Wildcats down.

Stanford’s Haley Jones (left) scored 17 points, and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Jones had several hot streaks that helped the Cardinal pull away. Above, Jones drives past Bendu Yeaney.

Stanford’s Haley Jones scored 17 points, and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Jones had several hot streaks that helped the Cardinal pull away.

But Arizona’s Aari McDonald refused to give up. Every time Stanford opened up a lead, McDonald seemed to find a way to nearly even the score.

Arizona’s Aari McDonald refused to give up. Every time Stanford opened up a lead, McDonald seemed to find a way to nearly even the score. Above, McDonald (left) tries to get past Kiana Williams.

Stanford started the final quarter with a 3 point lead. Near the end, McDonald had reduced that lead to a single point. Arizona seemed to have a chance when it got the ball with less than six seconds left. But McDonald’s final 3-point attempt bounced off the rim, giving the victory to Stanford.

It’s Stanford’s third NCAA win, but it’s the first time the team has won the championship in 29 years. Stanford faced a special challenge this year. Because of the coronavirus, sports weren’t allowed in their part of California. So for the last nine weeks, the team has been living in motels and playing on courts away from home.

It’s Stanford’s third NCAA win, but it’s the first time the team has won the championship in 29 years. Above, Stanford players celebrate after winning.

Baylor 86 – Gonzaga 70

The Baylor Bears beat the Gonzaga Bulldogs last night, handing Gonzaga its first loss of the season. It was a game that many people had been looking forward to for a long time. Gonzaga and Baylor were supposed to play in December, but the game was canceled because of the coronavirus.

Gonzaga had trouble getting started and Baylor made the most of it. The Bulldogs played extremely well in the first half, making 60% of their 3-point shots. Though Baylor led by as much as 19 points, by halftime, Gonzaga had cut the lead to 10 points, 47-37.

The whole Baylor team had a great night, but Jared Butler played especially well, with 22 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists, earning him the Most Outstanding Player award. Above, Butler (center) in January.

But Baylor didn’t let up in the second half, either. Baylor’s defense was so strong that it really seemed to interfere with Gonzaga’s game. And the Bears kept sinking the 3-pointers. Though the whole Baylor team had a great night, Jared Butler played especially well, with 22 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Jalen Suggs, who amazed fans with his long, game-winning shot in the semi-final against UCLA, played a huge part in keeping Gonzaga in the game. He had 22 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists.

Jalen Suggs played a huge part in keeping Gonzaga in the game. He had 22 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists. Above, Suggs (right) with teammates Joel Ayayi (left), and Corey Kispert (center) in March.

But it wasn’t enough. Every time Gonzaga started to close the lead, Baylor opened it back up. When the buzzer blew, the score was 86-70, giving Baylor’s men’s team its first-ever NCAA championship.

When the buzzer blew, the score was 86-70, giving Baylor’s men’s team its first-ever NCAA championship. The post below shows the team after the game.