Baylor vs Minnesota

Baylor showed why they were favored, dominating Minnesota from start to finish in this First Four matchup at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Bears built a commanding 21-point lead and held Minnesota to just 48 points—a suffocating defensive performance. Baylor's 11-0 scoring run in the second half (stretching their lead to 48-27) essentially put the game away, as the Golden Gophers never recovered. Minnesota fought back early, stringing together a 9-2 run in the first half to briefly grab momentum at 18-16. But Baylor answered with their own devastating 13-2 run to seize control at 29-20. The Bears' defense tightened as the game wore on, forcing Minnesota into a brutal six-possession drought in the second half that proved fatal. Baylor's 67-48 victory advances them deeper in the College Basketball Crown.