What Happened to Baylor University Basketball Program?
The Baylor University Basketball Program has transformed significantly, particularly the men's team which rose from a major scandal in 2003 to win a National Championship in 2021 under Coach Scott Drew. The women's team, a consistent national contender, has continued its success with multiple Big 12 titles and deep NCAA Tournament runs under Coach Nicki Collen, including recent Sweet Sixteen appearances and ongoing national rankings through the 2025-2026 season.
Quick Answer
The Baylor University Basketball Program, encompassing both its men's and women's teams, has maintained a high level of national prominence. The men's team achieved its first NCAA National Championship in 2021, a testament to its remarkable rebuilding under Coach Scott Drew following the 2003 scandal. The women's team, led by Coach Nicki Collen, continues to be a perennial top-ranked program, making consistent NCAA Tournament appearances and reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 2024. As of March 2026, both programs are nationally ranked and competing in their respective postseasons.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline17 events
Murder of Patrick Dennehy
Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy was murdered by his teammate Carlton Dotson, triggering a major scandal within the men's basketball program.
Scott Drew Hired Amidst Scandal
Scott Drew was hired as the head coach of the men's basketball team, tasked with rebuilding the program from the ground up following NCAA violations and the murder scandal.
Women's First National Championship
The Baylor women's basketball team, under Coach Kim Mulkey, won its first NCAA National Championship.
Women's Undefeated National Championship Season
The Baylor women's basketball team completed a historic 40-0 undefeated season, winning their second NCAA National Championship.
Women's Third National Championship
The Baylor women's basketball team secured its third NCAA National Championship, further solidifying its status as a premier program.
Nicki Collen Hired as Women's Head Coach
Nicki Collen was introduced as the fifth head coach in Baylor women's basketball history, replacing Kim Mulkey who departed for LSU.
Men's National Championship Victory
The Baylor men's basketball team defeated the undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-70 to win their first NCAA National Championship in program history.
Women's Team Opens 2023-24 Season Ranked
Baylor women's basketball opened the 2023-24 season ranked 19th and 20th in the AP and coaches polls, marking the 19th consecutive year in the top 25.
Foster Pavilion Opens
Both the men's and women's basketball programs moved into the newly constructed Paul & Alejandra Foster Pavilion as their new home arena.
Women's Team Reaches Sweet Sixteen
The Baylor women's team advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in the 2023-24 tournament before losing to Southern California.
Nicki Collen Contract Extension
Baylor Athletics announced a contract extension for head women's basketball coach Nicki Collen, running through the 2029-2030 season.
Women's Team NCAA Second Round Exit
The Baylor women's team concluded their 2024-25 season with a loss to Ole Miss in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Men's Team NCAA Second Round Exit
The Baylor men's team finished their 2024-25 season with a loss to Duke in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Women's Team Opens 2025-26 Season in Paris
The Baylor women's basketball team officially opened their 2025-26 season by facing Duke in Paris, France, as part of the Oui-Play Tournament.
Women's Team Exits Big 12 Tournament
The No. 20 Baylor women's basketball team lost to Colorado 62-53 in the Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinals.
Men's Team Concludes Regular Season
The Baylor men's basketball team concluded its 2025-26 regular season with a 101-75 win over Utah, finishing with a 16-15 overall record.
Women's Team Ranked Ahead of NCAA Tournament
Baylor women's basketball is ranked No. 20 in the AP Top 25, positioning them for another NCAA Tournament appearance.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Baylor University Basketball Program has a history marked by both profound challenges and extraordinary achievements. The men's program faced its darkest period in 2003 with the murder of player Patrick Dennehy by teammate Carlton Dotson, which subsequently uncovered a major scandal involving NCAA violations, including improper payments to players by then-head coach Dave Bliss. This led to severe sanctions and a program in disarray.
The turning point for the men's program came with the hiring of Scott Drew as head coach in August 2003. Drew embarked on a monumental rebuilding effort, transforming the program from one of the NCAA's most troubled into a national powerhouse. This culminated in the 2020-2021 season, where the Baylor Bears, led by Drew, achieved their first-ever NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship, defeating the previously undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-70 in a dominant performance.
Following their championship, the men's program has continued to be a strong contender in the highly competitive Big 12 Conference. In the 2023-2024 season, they finished 24-11 overall and reached the NCAA Tournament's Second Round. The 2024-2025 season saw them post a 20-15 record, again reaching the NCAA Tournament's Second Round before falling to Duke. As of March 7, 2026, the men's team holds a 16-15 record (6-12 in Big 12 play) and is led by Coach Drew in his 23rd season.
The women's basketball program has a long-standing tradition of excellence, particularly under former coach Kim Mulkey, who led the Lady Bears to three National Championships (2005, 2012, 2019) and an undefeated 40-0 season in 2012. In May 2021, Nicki Collen took over as head coach after Mulkey's departure for LSU, and the program has maintained its elite status. Collen's leadership was recognized with a contract extension through 2030, announced on July 30, 2024.
Under Coach Collen, the women's team has consistently made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament. They reached the Sweet Sixteen in the 2023-2024 season, finishing with a 26-8 record and a No. 13 ranking in the final AP Poll. The 2024-2025 season saw them finish 28-8, securing second place in the Big 12 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament's Second Round. For the 2025-2026 season, the women's team opened their non-conference schedule with a notable game against Duke in Paris on November 3, 2025, and faced rival Texas on December 14, 2025. As of March 8, 2026, the women's team holds a 24-8 record (13-5 in Big 12) and is ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll, having secured another NCAA Tournament berth despite a Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinal loss to Colorado on March 6, 2026. Both men's and women's teams now play their home games in the state-of-the-art Foster Pavilion, which opened in 2024.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Baylor University Basketball Program made different choices?