Baylor Bears vs. Grand Canyon Antelopes: March Madness First Round Preview

The highly anticipated 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament is officially underway, promising a thrilling showcase of collegiate basketball talent. Among the compelling first-round matchups on Friday afternoon is a clash between the Baylor Bears and the Grand Canyon Antelopes, a game that presents an intriguing contrast of established program pedigree and emerging conference dominance.

The Baylor Bears enter the tournament as a No. 4 seed, a testament to their impressive 27-7 record throughout the 2024-25 season. Their performance secured them the second-place spot in the fiercely competitive Big 12 Conference, a league known for its basketball prowess. Baylor’s consistent performance and strong conference standing earned them a favorable seed in the tournament bracket, positioning them for a potential deep run.

On the other side of the court, the Grand Canyon Antelopes arrive as a compelling underdog story. Their remarkable 32-2 record underscores their dominance in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The Antelopes concluded their season with an astounding 30-game winning streak, securing the WAC title and earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. This impressive run has solidified their position as a team to watch, potentially capable of disrupting the established order of the tournament.

Statistical analysis further illuminates the contrasting profiles of these two teams. Baylor is currently ranked 17th nationally in efficiency by Barttorvik, a metric that evaluates a team’s performance on both offense and defense. This ranking suggests that Baylor is a well-rounded team with strong capabilities on both ends of the court. In comparison, Grand Canyon is ranked 78th in efficiency, indicating a larger gap in overall performance against tougher opponents. While their record is impressive, the Antelopes have not faced the same level of competition as Baylor throughout the season.

As the first-round matchup approaches, basketball experts across the USA TODAY Network have weighed in with their predictions, adding another layer of anticipation to the game. While the majority of experts are leaning towards Baylor, a notable few have picked Grand Canyon to pull off the upset. This division in predictions reflects the inherent unpredictability of March Madness and the potential for underdog teams to make a significant impact.

Nancy Armour and Jordan Mendoza, both writers for USA TODAY, have bravely selected Grand Canyon as their upset pick. The motivation behind their choice remains a subject of speculation. Could it be rooted in a deeper statistical analysis that suggests a vulnerability in Baylor’s game? Or perhaps, as some suggest, the allure of witnessing another enthusiastic "Gatorade angel" celebration from Grand Canyon’s charismatic coach has swayed their decision? Regardless, their picks add fuel to the fire of the underdog narrative surrounding the Antelopes.

The remaining experts from across the USA TODAY Network, including Cydney Henderson (USA TODAY), Meg L. Hall (For The Win), Cora Hall (Knoxville News), Liam Rooney (Tallahassee Democrat), Cory Diaz (The Daily Advertiser), and Tom Noie (South Bend Tribune), have all predicted a victory for Baylor. Their consensus highlights Baylor’s experience, talent, and strong statistical profile as reasons for their expected success. These experts likely view Baylor’s higher efficiency ranking and tougher conference schedule as key factors that will give them an edge in the game.

The game between Baylor and Grand Canyon promises to be a captivating clash of styles and narratives. Baylor will look to leverage their experience and balanced attack to assert their dominance. The Antelopes, on the other hand, will rely on their momentum, cohesive teamwork, and unwavering belief in their ability to defy expectations.

The availability of the game on Fubo offers fans a convenient way to witness this intriguing matchup. The odds, provided by BetMGM as of Wednesday, March 19, likely favor Baylor, reflecting their higher seed and perceived advantage in talent and experience. However, as March Madness has repeatedly demonstrated, upsets are always a possibility, and Grand Canyon will undoubtedly enter the game with the intention of proving the doubters wrong.

Beyond the specific predictions and statistical analyses, this game serves as a reminder of the magic of March Madness. It represents the opportunity for underdogs to rise to the occasion, for individual players to showcase their talent on a national stage, and for unforgettable moments to be etched into the history of college basketball. Whether Baylor prevails as expected or Grand Canyon pulls off a stunning upset, this first-round matchup is poised to be a compelling chapter in the unfolding drama of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament.

The outcome of the game will ultimately depend on a multitude of factors, including player performance, coaching decisions, and the intangible elements of momentum and luck. But regardless of the final score, the Baylor Bears vs. Grand Canyon Antelopes game promises to be a captivating display of collegiate basketball at its finest. The game is a potential launchpad for either Baylor to a deep tournament run, or a Cinderella story for Grand Canyon that the nation will remember.