(04-06-2021 12:00 AM)BePcr07 Wrote:  I just finished watching the game - I usually have to record games to watch later that night.

Terrific game by Baylor - well earned. They made us look midmajor. They had the tougher road to the championship and that consistent testing helps keep you strong and sharp:

Baylor: XII, Hartford, Wisconsin, Villanova, Arkansas, Houston - Champions
Gonzaga: WCC, Norfolk St, Oklahoma, Creighton, USC, UCLA - Runner-Up

You can’t (generally) pick your conference or NCAA tournament opponents but Gonzaga wasn’t tested through the season. That’s always been the knock on us and it showed tonight.

Being on a realignment board, I have two thoughts on Gonzaga’s conference affiliation: 1) the WCC is a great institutional fit but lacks weekly competition, 2) the MWC is a much more competitive conference but lacks the institutional fit.

My take is to wait until the XII mess is figured out in a few years. If the PAC loses top schools, then lobby to join the remaining PAC with St. Mary’s and BYU along with the cream of the MWC. If the PAC remains as-is, lobby to join the MWC with St. Mary’s.

How well did the MWC prepare SDSU and Utah State for the Tourney? Both were shellacked in the first round by their opponents.

Ironically, UC Santa Barbara might have been better prepared for their matchup vs Creighton thanks to their conference foes, and two games with your WCC friends Loyola Marymount.