By ETT 
Baylor University’s Scott Drew and Nicki Collen will both lead their respective men’s and women’s basketball teams into the Texas Tip-Off, a prestigious season-opening tournament held in Austin, Texas.
Scott Drew has been at the helm of the Bears’ men’s basketball program since 2003 and has guided them to immense success, including a National Championship in 2021. Nicki Collen, on the other hand, took over the women’s team in 2021 and has quickly established herself as a rising star in the coaching ranks.
The Texas Tip-Off provides a challenging platform for both coaches as they strive to gauge their teams’ progress against top-tier competition.
Drew’s Bears enter the tournament as the defending NCAA Champions. They lost key players from last season’s title-winning squad, including Naismith Player of the Year Jared Butler and Mark Vital. However, they welcome back several promising returners, such as point guard Adam Flagler and forward Matthew Mayer.
The Bears will face off against arguably the toughest opponent in this tournament: North Carolina.
Drew’s team will be eager to prove that they can compete at the highest level and fend off the challenge from their storied opponents.
Collen’s Lady Bears are hoping to build on a solid season in 2021-22. They finished the season ranked 14th in the nation and with a 27-7 record.
Collen has a talented roster led by All-Big 12 guard Sarah Andrews. This season, the Lady Bears will benefit from the addition of highly touted transfer Darianna Littlepage-Buggs from Washington.
The Lady Bears will face off against California, a team they have not previously played under Collen. They will then face either Stanford, a powerhouse in women’s basketball, or Texas A&M, a rising force in the SEC.
Collen’s squad is determined to make a statement in the Texas Tip-Off and set the tone for a successful season.
While both coaches enter the tournament with high expectations, there are some who question their teams’ ability to sustain their success. Some analysts believe that the Bears’ loss of key players could leave them vulnerable, while others question whether the Lady Bears have the depth to compete against the top teams in the country.
However, both Drew and Collen have a proven track record of success, and they are confident that their teams are ready for the challenge. They will look to use the Texas Tip-Off as an opportunity to prove themselves and set the stage for a memorable season.
Baylor’s Scott Drew and Nicki Collen have established themselves as two of the most successful coaches in college basketball. As they lead their teams into the Texas Tip-Off, they face both challenges and opportunities.
For Drew, it’s the chance to showcase his team’s resilience and prove that they can compete with the nation’s best. For Collen, it’s an opportunity to build on her program’s momentum and establish the Lady Bears as a national contender.
Regardless of the outcome in the Texas Tip-Off, both coaches have demonstrated their ability to lead their teams to success. They are both exciting and experienced leaders who will look to continue making a mark on the basketball world.
