Baylor enjoying success across all sports

Athletic success seems to be contagious at Baylor.

When the Sooners play in Waco, Texas, on Monday, they will be taking on the country's No. 2-ranked men's basketball team. Baylor is the only Big 12 team still undefeated in conference play — dominating Kansas and battling back to beat Oklahoma State.

“They' re one of the top one- or two-ranked teams in the country right now, and deserving of that,” Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger said. “Very good team. They got size. They got terrific guard play, and our guys know what the challenge is, but I know they won't shy away from it.”

Baylor men' s basketball is having a great season so far. But prosperity is

nothing new to Baylor's athletic department.

First it was the football team.

The Bears went from being 1-11 in 2017 to 11-1 in the regular season in 2019 thanks to coach Matt Rhule. Baylor played OU for the Big 12 championship and lost in overtime, finishing the season with a trip to the Sugar Bowl. The Bears finished the season ranked No. 13 in the AP poll.

With Rhule gone to the NFL now, Baylor has also had success in its coaching search. The Bears hired Dave Aranda — fresh off a national championship as LSU's defensive coordinator — as its next head coach.

The Baylor women's volleyball team was also one of the top squads in the country. It finished 29-2 and made a trip to the NCAA semifinals and lost to Wisconsin.

Now Baylor's basketball teams are taking their turn.

The Bears have been one of the best schools in the country for women's basketball in recent memory. This season is no different. Just like the men's team, the women' s team is 15-1. The Lady Bears beat the Sooners 77-56 in the first meeting of the season.

For Freddie Gillespie, the success the football, volleyball and other teams have had this school year was motivation for the basketball team to have success of its own. The redshirt senior forward said it's helped fan interest in the team.

“I think when those teams do well, those fall sports, they do welland then( the fans) want something to cheer f or when that sport ends,” Gillespie said.

The Sooners have a quick turnaround before playing in front of those Baylor fans. OU played TCU on Saturday, and it plays at Baylor on Monday. But the Bears also have a quick turnaround. They are coming off a come back win over Oklahoma State.

“We got one day in preparation, which isn't great but that happens for all teams from time to time,” Kruger said. “But they're good. We have to go down there and battle like crazy and play well.”