No. 12 seed Arizona State withstood a second-half surge from No. 13 Baylor to win 83-79 in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, a result that keeps the Sun Devils’ NCAA Tournament hopes alive while likely ending Baylor’s streak of seven straight appearances.
The Big 12 Tournament opened with a classic underdog story as No. 12 seed Arizona State outlasted No. 13 seed Baylor 83-79 in a seesaw battle that saw the Sun Devils build a lead, survive a Bears rally, and close strong.
Pig Johnson led the charge for Arizona State with 19 points, supported by Andrij Grbovic‘s 14 and Santiago Trouet‘s 13 points and nine rebounds. For Baylor, Cameron Carr scored 25 points, but Isaac Williams IV‘s foul trouble proved costly after he poured in 15 before fouling out AP News.
The win improves Arizona State to 17-15 and advances them to face fifth-seeded Iowa State in the second round. For Baylor, now 16-16, the loss likely ends their NCAA Tournament hopes, marking their first non-winning season since 2006-07 and snapping a streak of seven consecutive appearances AP News.
This game transcends the box score. For Arizona State, it’s a culmination of a season defined by coaching uncertainty. Reports indicate that coach Bobby Hurley will not be retained after his contract expires, yet his team has played with a fiery intensity, following wins over Utah and then-No. 14 Kansas AP Top 25 with this tournament triumph. The performance against Baylor, a team that beat them in Waco just weeks ago, signals a team peaking at the right time.
From a historical perspective, Baylor has been a model of consistency under coach Scott Drew, making the NCAA Tournament every year since 2017. This sudden collapse—after a Sweet 16 appearance last season—has left fans searching for answers. Theories range from key player departures to defensive lapses, but the bottom line is stark: Baylor will miss the Big Dance for the first time in nearly 20 years, a development that could reshape their recruiting and program trajectory.
For Arizona State, the win is a lifeline. On the NCAA Tournament bubble, every quality victory counts, and this one against a Baylor squad, despite their struggles, carries weight. The Sun Devils’ ability to withstand a Baylor charge—where the Bears scored on nine consecutive possessions to close within 67-64—shows the mental toughness that committee members value. Key sequences, like when Massamba Diop accidentally tipped a miss into his own basket for Baylor, highlight the fine margins that decided this game.
The fan conversation is electric. Arizona State faithful are hopeful this run can change the narrative around Hurley‘s tenure, while Baylor supporters are grappling with the end of an era. What if Hurley stays? Could this win spark a turnaround? For Baylor, the focus shifts to the NIT and potential coaching changes, though Drew has been a mainstay.
Looking ahead, Arizona State faces Iowa State in a quick turnaround. A win there would virtually lock up an NCAA bid. Baylor, meanwhile, must regroup for possible postseason play, but the sting of this loss will linger.
In the grand scheme, this game exemplifies the chaos of conference tournament week. One moment, a program is celebrating a historic streak; the next, it’s facing an uncertain future. For Arizona State, the dream lives on. For Baylor, the reality is a harsh new chapter.
For more breaking sports analysis and insider insights, onlytrustedinfo.com is your definitive source for the stories that shape the game.
