Brittney Griner, Baylor Women Seek Title, 1st 40-0 Season

Led by their superstar center, Brittney Griner, the Baylor women’s basketball team has dominated this season, outscoring opponents by almost 1,000 points while compiling an amazing 36-0 record.

Despite the flawless season thus far, Baylor coach Kim Mulkey insists the Lady Bears aren’t focused on the pressure that comes with being unbeaten.

“I don’t know that we even think about pressure. We just want to win a national championship like everybody else that’s remaining,” Mulkey said. “There’s no pressure.”

Griner, a 6-foot-8 junior who last week became just the 2nd woman in NCAA history to dunk during a tournament game, agreed with her coach and added:

“In March, the intensity level goes up. Each game it goes up more and more and more. Nobody wants their season to be over. You can definitely feel that intensity on the court.”

In her most recent game, Griner – currently averaging 23 points, 9 boards, and 5 swats per contest – led five Bears in double-figure scoring with 25 points. She did so by going 8 of 14 from the field while adding nine rebounds and six blocks. Oh yeah… and that dunk.

In addition to Griner’s dominant inside presence, the Lady Bears also have Odyssey Sims, who Mulkey believes is the nation’s best point guard, along with a strong supporting cast that includes forward Destiny Williams and guard Kimetria Hayden.

“I don’t know what’s harder; to guard Brittney Griner or bring the ball up the court against Odyssey Sims. To have that type of talent on the floor, it makes our job easier as a coach,” Mulkey said.

The Bears entered March Madness wanting to find out if they can become the first Division I team (men’s or women’s) to reach 40-0 and win a championship. The next opponent that stands in the way of stopping that goal is fourth-seeded Georgia Tech (26-8), who Baylor plays today.

“We’re working hand-in-hand,” Griner said of her team’s effort to win the 2012 NCAA Women’s Championship during a recent ESPN interview. “This year, I feel like it’s definitely clicking.”

via Sacramento Bee