This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Five years ago, the situation surrounding the Baylor men's basketball program was being described as worthy of a "Hollywood script."
This year, the same term applies - only instead of a tragedy, it's turned into an inspirational tale of perseverance.
Baylor's rise from the ashes is one of the more compelling story lines in all of college athletics.
The Bears have gone from a program in complete shambles and calls for disbandment to being ranked for the first time since 1969.
After its five-overtime victory over Texas A&M last week and a loss to Oklahoma three nights later, No. 25 Baylor (16-3, 4-1 Big 12) received a well-earned six day break before facing No. 10 Texas on Saturday.
"Thank goodness we can get caught up on some R&R," Baylor head coach Scott Drew said from his office on Monday. "But you would be hard-pressed to find a game more enjoyable than that one against Texas A&M. One official bowed out at halftime with an injury. He must have known he had a lot of hard work ahead of him."
Drew knows a little something about that. He left Valparaiso in 2003 to take the job at Baylor, and encountered a program on life support and saddled with NCAA restrictions.
The sordid tales from Waco were almost too much to believe. Baylor junior center Patrick Dennehy was murdered by teammate Carlton Dotson, and then-Baylor coach Dave Bliss tried to convince players and assistants to lie to investigators and portray Dennehy as a drug dealer to cover up improper tuition payments.
Prominent players transferred and took on starring roles at other programs while Drew was left to rebuild with reduced scholarships and five years of probation.
Possessing an unfailing optimism he says he inherited from his father, Homer - the head coach at Valparaiso - Drew never wavered in his belief Baylor could turn things around despite numerous doubters.
It started by selling two international recruits - Aaron Bruce from Australia and Mamadou Diene from Senegal - on his vision of Baylor's resurrection.
"Both of them were huge for the program not only because they are good players, but special people," Drew said. "Aaron Bruce is a solid leader for the team since he arrived and Mamadou's nickname is 'The Mayor' because he is so popular in Waco and everybody loves him."
The two stuck it out even when Baylor wasn't allowed to play non-conference games in 2005-06 and were forced to just practice and watch for three months.
Their patience was rewarded when Tweety Carter and three Top 100 in-state recruits - Curtis Jerrells, Henry Dugat and Kevin Rogers - committed to the program. They helped solidify the foundation to launch this season's magical start.
Drew hopes the script has a fairy tale ending filled with March Madness, but he is already heartened by the path the plot has taken.
"It is extremely rewarding and gratifying to see our players and our community and university so excited and happy," he said. "That is where the real excitement comes in for me, seeing their joy."
Oh brother
The brothers of Utah Jazz guard Kyle Korver squared off against each again on Wednesday when Drake met Creighton. Klayton Korver is a senior forward at Drake and Kaleb is a freshman guard at Creighton.
The Korvers are just one brotherly example in the college game this season. Here are a few other sibling sets to track:
* Robin and Brook Lopez, Stanford - Brook is the more highly-regarded of the 7-foot sophomore twin towers by way of Fresno, Calif. Brook is averaging 17.8 points and 7.9 rebounds while Robin checks in at 8.9 and 6.2, respectively.
* Blake and Taylor Griffin, Oklahoma - No twins here. Blake is the younger (freshman) and more heralded of the brothers, but Taylor (junior) has been playing superb of late. The two teamed to beat rival Oklahoma State with Taylor scoring a career-high 20 and Blake converting the go-head three-point play in the final minute.
* Nick Calathes, Florida, and Pat Calathes, St. Joseph's - Nick, a freshman guard, leads the defending champions in scoring (16.0), assists (6.0) and minutes (32.7). Pat, a senior guard, hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds left to beat Temple last week and earn Atlantic 10 Player of the Week honors.
1.
Kansas (20-1)
Arthur and Jackson have given Jayhawks an inside presence.
Next: at Colorado, Saturday.
2.
Memphis (20-0)
Explosive Tigers have athleticism at every position.
Next: vs. UTEP, Saturday.
3.
Duke (17-1)
DeMarcus Nelson is Duke's heart and soul.
Next: vs. N.C. State, tonight.
4.
North Carolina (19-1)
Tar Heels rested after lengthy layoff.
Next: vs. Boston College, tonight.
5.
UCLA (18-2)
Kevin Love showed native Oregon what it's missing.
Next: vs. Arizona State, tonight.
6.
Tennessee (18-2)
Look out - Chris Lofton finding his range again.
Next: at MSU, Saturday
Washington State (17-2)
Don't expect many blowouts for Cougars this season.
Next: vs. California, tonight.
8.
Georgetown (17-2)
How many last-second shots do Hoyas have left?
Next: vs. Seton Hall, Saturday.
9.
Michigan State (19-2)
Kalin Lucas' speed earning rave reviews for Spartans.
Next: at Penn State, Saturday.
10.
Texas (16-4)
As D.J. Augustin goes, so go the Longhorns.
Next: vs. Baylor, Saturday.
Dropped out:
Indiana (sNo. 8)
Jumped in:
Texas (No. 10)
Arizona at UCLA, Saturday, 7 p.m.
Every game in the deep Pac-10 this season (Oregon State aside) is tough, but this rivalry always stands out.