Record: 24-8

Coach: Bill Henderson

Best players: F Jack Robinson, G Don Heathington.

During the regular season: After a pedestrian 7-4 start, the Bears caught fire and cruised to their third SWC championship. They won 12 of their last 13 regular season games in a run marred only by a 32-28 loss at Texas in their next-to-last game before the tournament.

NCAA history: The Bears beat Washington and then Kansas State in the national semifinals to advance to the national championship game at New York City. Kentucky’s “Fabulous Five,” coached by legendary Hall of Famer Adolph Rupp, cruised to a 58-42 victory in the final. Baylor had no starter taller than 6-3 and struggled against 6-9 Kentucky center Alex Groza. Bill Johnson led Baylor with 10 points in the title game.

What makes them special: Robinson, a two-time All-American who earned a gold medal at the 1948 Olympics and was an ordained minister, and three-time All-SWC player Heathington were two of the greatest players in Baylor history. Henderson, who inherited a team that was 0-17 in 1944-45, won three SWC titles in the next six seasons and made Final Four trips in 1948 and 1950.

Record: 22-11

Coach: Billy Tubbs

Best players: G Mike Olliver (21.7 ppg), F B.B. Davis (16.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg), C Clarence Kea (14.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg).

During the regular season: Not much was expected from this Lamar team that started 7-7, although the Cardinals did upset No. 14 Texas A&M and lost by four at Arizona and two at then-No.1 DePaul in early January. The Cardinals then went 8-2 to win the Southland Conference to claim their third consecutive title under Tubbs.

NCAA history: The Cardinals notched a pair of victories in the tournament, upsetting No. 17 Weber State behind 37 points from Olliver and No. 5 Oregon State to earn their first Sweet 16 berth. Despite leading at halftime, they were eliminated by Clemson as Larry Nance produced 16 points and 11 rebounds.

What makes them special: The Cardinals made the deepest tournament run that any team in school history. Their point guard Alvin Brooks went on to a successful coaching career. And success from this team enabled Tubbs to be hired by Oklahoma after the season.