Brown and Sochan will be on the biggest stage, the NCAA Tournament, with the fourth-ranked Bears trying to become the first team to win back-to-back national championships since Florida in 2006 and 2007.
WACO, Texas (AP) Baylor coach Scott Drew has talked to his team about the unique opportunity available to the defending national champions, even with a roster that has changed drastically since the Bears cut down the nets last April.
A look at the keys to victory for each team (Monday, 9:20 p.m. ET, CBS).
How Gonzaga can cut down the nets: The Bulldogs (31-0) have winning momentum following the adrenaline of Jalen Suggs halfcourt banked-in three-pointer that helped them survive UCLA. But it will take the Zags big three – Suggs, Corey Kispert and Drew Timme – to all perform at an elite level for this game to go their way. All-American Kispert (2-for-8 from three vs. UCLA) will have to shoot better against Baylor to counter the Bears perimeter attack.
The ultimate key will be for big man Timme to get going early and for the rest of the Zags to use the energy from his dunks or big shots. Timme can be the difference because Baylor doesn t have anyone who can stop the 6-10 crafty big man, who s a phenomenal passer once teams start to double team or become undisciplined on defense. Gonzaga s sidekicks Joel Ayayi and Andrew Nembhard came up big against UCLA on offense, but their defense will be most pivot