Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Baylor Men's Basketball Back From the Dead

Bears are 12-2, led by Scott Drew, the right man for the revival

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 12, 2008 6:18 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – Scott Drew wanted to build a basketball program from the bottom up and Baylor University, torn apart by a player's murder, improper payments to athletes and a sleazy former coach, offered that opportunity, writes ESPN. The consensus opinion on Drew's move from a comfy position as a mid-major coach was something along the lines of "he must be crazy."

But solid recruiting, which included landing the school's first-ever McDonald's All-American, and a lot of positive thinking has brought this program back to relevance and integrity. And despite the shadow of NCAA probation until 2010, this season Drew has been able to say "this is what a normal program feels like." Baylor is no longer on the bottom.

Baylor University Basketball head coach Dave Bliss answers questions about the disappearance of player Patrick Dennehy during a press conference on Thursday, July 10, 2003 in the team's locker room. Bliss was later fired in the midst of an athletic department scandal.
Baylor University Basketball head coach Dave Bliss answers questions about the disappearance of player Patrick Dennehy during a press conference on Thursday, July 10, 2003 in the team's locker room. Bliss...   (KRT Photos)
Baylor guard Kevin Rogers goes up for a dunk during the second half of a basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)
Baylor guard Kevin Rogers goes up for a dunk during the second half of a basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)   (Associated Press)
Baylor guard Lacedarius Dunn, right, and South Carolina guard Devan Downey, left, race for a loose ball during the second half of a basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)
Baylor guard Lacedarius Dunn, right, and South Carolina guard Devan Downey, left, race for a loose ball during the second half of a basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett...   (Associated Press)
Baylor men's head basketball coach Scott Drew speaks to the media at the Big XII Coaches Media Day, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. Drew has his team at 12-2 on the season. (AP Photo Photo/Dick Whipple)
Baylor men's head basketball coach Scott Drew speaks to the media at the Big XII Coaches Media Day, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. Drew has his team at 12-2 on the season. (AP Photo Photo/Dick...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Related stories

Big 12 preview
Dallas Morning News

Big 12 schedules
Sports Network

 
basketball • NCAA basketball • Baylor Bears • Big 12 Conference

More Newser Stories

Beasley's 44 Not Enough for Kansas State

Indiana Hires Crean Away From Marquette

Pitt Upsets Baylor in Women's Tourney

Kansas Makes It Look Easy Vs. Portland State

Rush Leads Kansas Into Big 12 Final
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne