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Articles by Pranay Malempati
Baylor Football Spring Game Review 2023
It's springtime and you know what that means: Spring Football! Andrew and I are back with a new episode of the BearsIllustrated Podcast, breaking down Baylor's spring game, which featured a unique format this year, as well as the current state of the men's basketball program, which has seen a lot of departures this offseason. There was a lot left to be desired during Baylor's spring game scrimmage the other week as Gold (the offense) defeated Green (the defense) 38-27.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: A Review of the Baylor Basketball Season and Preview of the Final Four
The time has come to wrap up the Baylor basketball season. Ahead of the Final Four, Andrew and I jump on to record a basketball season finale of the BearsIllustrated Podcast. One word to describe the year: inconsistent. That's what Baylor hoops was in Waco this season on both the men's and women's side. We recount what stands out most from this season, the last tournament games for the Bears and share with you our Final Four picks.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: The Madness Is Coming
It's finally time for March Madness and on this special episode of the BearsIllustrated Podcast Andrew and I review and break down both brackets! The men begin on Friday as the No. 3 seed in the South region, taking on the No. 14 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in the first round. If they win and advance to the Round of 32, they will take on the winner of No. 6 Creighton and No. 11 NC State. The Bears, of course, were defending National Champions last year and a No 1 seed but fell in the second round.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: Baylor Basketball Falters to Iowa State. . . Again
The third time wasn't the charm for Baylor basketball. The Bears were bounced out of the Big 12 tournament in the quarterfinals by Iowa State on Thursday afternoon, their third loss to the Cyclones this season and their second in less than a week. The final score, 78-72, looked better this time around but the on-court performance looked the same as the past two matchups between the teams this season. Iowa State obliterated the Bears on the boards 44 to 17.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: Looking Ahead After Baylor Basketball Falls Twice in Kansas
Here we are Baylor fans, just three games left before the end of the basketball regular season and we enter into March. For Scott Drew and the Bears, they have to be thankful that they are no longer in Kansas, but the road does not get any easier with the Longhorns coming to Waco. On this episode of the Bears Illustrated Podcast, we discuss how we feel about Baylor hoops after two disastrous second halves against both Kansas and Kansas State.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: Baylor Basketball Is Back On Top of the Big 12 (at least for now)!
Welcome to the BearsIllustrated Podcast. It was a tough weekend to be a Philly fan. However, it has been great to be a Baylor basketball fan recently. After starting the year 0-3 in Big 12 play, the Bears are in a three-way tie for first place! They have won 10 of their past 11 games. A No. 1 seed is not out of the question. Remember when we said we weren't nervous but encouraged after that three game losing streak to start conference play?
BearsIllustrated Podcast: Baylor basketball wins, the Lady Bears lose, and our reaction to TCU's blowout loss
In this episode of the BearsIllustrated podcast, we discuss the biggest blowout in College Football national championship history. Georgia became the first team in the CFP era to repeat as champions by demolishing and dismantling the beloved TCU Horned Frogs 65-7. The Bulldogs scored on 10 possessions as they routed hypnotoad into the next dimension. Andrew and I discuss what this final result means for all parties involved. How do we measure TCU's historic season?
CBS Sports' Shehan Jeyarajah on TCU vs Georgia, State of Baylor Football, Targeting no-calls and more
Happy New Year! In this episode of the BearsIllustrated Podcast, we welcome in Shehan Jeyarajah who covers College Football for CBS Sports and also wrote for Bears Illustrated back in the day. We discuss whether this year's CFP semifinals was the best of the 4-team era and why Shehan was the only CBS picker to pick TCU over Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: A Rearview Look at Baylor's 2022 Football Season
On this episode of the BearsIllustrated Podcast, Andrew and I are back to discuss the Baylor football season. Ultimately, it did not end the way anyone expected or hoped that it would back in August. College Football Playoff appearance aspirations came crashing down as early as week two, when the Bears lost to BYU in a thrilling double overtime game. Big 12 championship repeat hopes dwindled not soon after, with early season conference losses to Oklahoma State and West Virginia.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: SicEm365's Kendall Kaut Joins to Talk Baylor Basketball
On this episode of the BearsIllustrated Podcast, we welcome in SicEm365’s Kendall Kaut to discuss all things Baylor basketball. We mainly focus on the highlight of the season thus far, beating Gonzaga in a rematch of the 2021 national championship game. Baylor won 64-63 via a furious rally late, going on an 8-0 run in the final minute and a half to pull out the victory.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: Baylor loses to Texas and Someone thinks K-State should make the CFP
We hope that everybody had a fantastic Thanksgiving. There was plenty of football (along with hopefully food) to stuff ourselves with and so Andrew and I are back to discuss as the CFB regular season comes to a close. Baylor lost in Austin 38-27 to Texas to finish the regular season at 6-6; a .500 record that nobody expected coming into this campaign. The Bears played tough and had their opportunities to win, but fell short against a ranked team yet again.
A feast of a Baylor sports weekend
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We hope that it is a special week that you enjoy with family and friends. In advance of the feasts we'll be enjoying this Thanksgiving, Andrew and I recorded a mega feast Thanksgiving podcast to discuss everything that went down in Baylor athletics last weekend. We begin with a detailed in depth review of Baylor-TCU; literally drive by painful drive. The Bears did everything right and then everything went wrong to have the upset of the year slip from their hands.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: Takeaways from Baylor Football knocking off the Kansas Jayhawks
Baylor sweated out a tough, but much needed victory over Kansas on Homecoming last Saturday. The Bears executed a near perfect first half, taking a 28-3 lead into halftime before letting it almost slip away in the second half. The Jayhawks got to within five points thanks to great play from their backup quarterback Jason Bean and several Baylor miscues. Andrew and I dissect the game against Kansas, and what it reflects for the bigger picture, on this week’s podcast.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: The Ultimate College Football Road Trip
The clock hit zero, and suddenly Ben was engulfed by a mass of gold and blue. The stadium began rocking back and forth as John Denver blared over the loud speakers. Almost heaven…West Virginia! The 43-40 barn burner was an instant classic that turned back the clock, offered that classic Big 12 back and forth offense of years past. Although Ben Chase was decked out in Mountaineer gear and probably knows where to find the secret tailgates, he isn’t a WVA alum.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: Immediate Reaction to Baylor's loss at West Virginia
(Photo: 247Sports) Andrew and I react minutes after the Bears' 40-43 loss in Morgantown; making Baylor 0-6 all-time when facing West Virginia on the road. It was a back and forth affair in a game that featured limited defense. The Mountaineers put up 500 total yards of offense while the Bears had 590 total yards in spite of losing starting quarterback Blake Shapen to a head injury in the third quarter.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: Reacting to Baylor football's loss to Oklahoma State and Favorites for Big 12 Title
The Baylor Bears fell to the Oklahoma State Cowboys 36-25 over the weekend in a game that was uncharacteristic by Coach Dave Aranda’s standards. Andrew and I discuss the ins and outs of the game on this week’s BearsIllustrated Podcast. We review why the Bears started slowly and why they could not contain quarterback Spencer Sanders for nearly the entire game. We analyze the drops and missteps that cost Baylor the opportunity to earn valuable momentum early on.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: GoPokes247's Cody Nagel Previews Baylor vs Oklahoma State
On this special episode of the Bears Illustrated Podcast, Andrew sits down with GoPokes 247 reporter Cody Nagel to preview this weekend’s Big 12 title rematch—and top 16 showdown—as No. 16 Baylor hosts No. 9 Oklahoma St. The Oklahoma State Cowboys have had a soft, but dominant, opening to their 2022 campaign. They beat up on Central Michigan, Arizona State and Arkansas Pine Bluff before having a bye week last Saturday. The Pokes are averaging over 50 points and 500 yards a contest.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: ESPN 960's Ben Criddle talks Baylor vs BYU
Welcome to Part 2 of the look back at last weekend's Baylor vs BYU game. In Part 1, Andrew and I broke the game down and gave you our thoughts on what went wrong for Baylor, why Blake Shapen didn't throw the ball late, and more. Now, we welcome back on a returning guest. Ben Criddle, a host ESPN 960 radio in Utah covering BYU Sports, first came on in July to do a pre-season preview of BYU's football season.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: Baylor vs BYU Preview with LockedOn Cougars host Jake Hatch
The week is finally here, No. 9 Baylor travels to Provo, Utah for the first time since 1984 to take on No. 21 BYU. The Cougars won the national championship that year. And this year, the contest looks to be pivotal in the CFP race. The Cougars are a year away from permanently joining the Big 12 conference and are anxious to exert revenge on the Bears for the 38-24 pounding they took last season at McLane Stadium.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: College Football Week 1 Preview
College football is back!! How exciting is this? Labor Day Weekend-- arguably the best weekend of the year for College Football. Starting today we have five full days of football. Head Coach Dave Aranda has released Baylor's depth chart and we are ready for the action. Andrew and I examine the Bears' depth chart in advance of their season opener against the Albany Great Danes on Saturday.
BearsIllustrated Podcast: Baylor Basketball Discussion with The Athletic college basketball writer CJ Moore
College football is right around the corner and Baylor fans - as they should be - are eagerly anticipating the Bears' football season. However, that doesn't mean we can't make time for some Baylor basketball talk, especially with Scott Drew's bunch having gone up to Canada a few weeks back to represent the USA at Global Jam. CJ Moore, a college basketball writer at The Athletic, joins the show to talk about what he saw from Baylor at the Global Jam.
Why Blake Shapen Should be Baylor's Starting QB in 2022
(Photo: Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports) Baylor football's spring season finished up on Saturday, culminating with the annual Green and Gold game. Overall, it was a great finish to the spring with both sides of the ball looking good for the Green team, which was made up of the players atop the depth chart. Dave Aranda ran this like a real game, especially in the first half - he even brought out linebacker Dillon Doyle for a carry on a 4th and 1 at one point.
Incoming 3-star DL Tre Emory is Ready to Start Working
You can view the full interview here. Baylor's defensive line is looking very strong for the 2022 season. The Bears brought back their entire starting and second-string rotation from last year, when it was one of the best in the country. Plus, they added 4-star transfer Jaxon Player, a 5th year senior with plenty of experience. But college football is a sport with rapid roster turnover. All of those starters and backups will be gone sooner rather than later, many after 2022.
Baylor sophomore Ricardo Benitez reflects on running a marathon
Baylor sophomore Ricardo Benitez poses in front of the Waco Suspension Bridge with a group of his friends after completing a marathon. Benitez had to overcome many challenges to complete his goal of finishing the 26.2-mile race. Photo courtesy of Nancy Goodnight By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer Finishing a marathon is a challenging task for anyone. Running 26.2 miles takes a tremendous amount of determination, preparation and willpower.
Three Bears drafted in final four rounds, nine more sign free-agent contracts
Former Baylor defensive tackle takes down a Georgia player during the 2020 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Roy was drafted in the sixth round by the Carolina Panthers. Ali Barnett | Roundup Photograph By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer The 2020 NFL Draft came to completion Saturday with the fourth through seventh rounds. After Denzel Mims was the only former Baylor player to come off the board through the first three rounds, quite a few Bears joined NFL teams Saturday.
Mims first Bear to come off draft board
FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims (5) catches a touchdown pass as TCU cornerback Kee'yon Stewart (2) defends during the third overtime of an NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas. Mims was selected by the New York Jets in the second round of the NFL football draft Friday. Associated Press By Pranayn Malempati | Sports Writer The 2020 NFL Draft, being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, continued Friday with the second and third rounds.
Geoscience professor conducts drought research after winning Centennial Professor Award
Baylor awarded geoscience professor Dr. Joe Yelderman with the Centennial Professor Award. Only two of the awards are handed out each year and along with being a Baylor professor, Yelderman is also the director of The Institute of Ecological, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Photo courtesy of Baylor Geosciences By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer Baylor chose to award geoscience professor Dr. Joe Yelderman last week with one of this year’s two Centennial Professor Awards.
Baylor equestrian reacts to end of season
Junior Rachel Davis competes for Baylor against Texas A&M in College Station. Photo courtesy of Baylor Athletics By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer The Baylor equestrian team, as did all other spring sports, had its season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, because equestrian is technically under the National Collegiate Equestrian Association and not directly under the NCAA, equestrian athletes will not receive an extra year of eligibility.
Women’s basketball brings in transfer point guard Jaden Owens from UCLA
Baylor's new transfer guard Jaden Owens plays defense for UCLA against Weber State on Nov. 5, 2019 at the Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of UCLA Athletics By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer Baylor women’s basketball announced Monday morning that the team will be bringing in sophomore transfer point guard Jaden Owens for this upcoming season. Owens, a native of Plano, played at UCLA this past season and said that being close to home is important to her.
Baylor’s Cox, Cooper, Landrum selected in 2020 WNBA Draft
Lauren Cox gives Trinity Oliver a high five during Baylor's last matchup against Kansas State at the Ferrell Center. Cox was selected as the third overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever on Friday. Emileé Edwards | Multimedia Journalist By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer Baylor’s Lauren Cox, Te’a Cooper and Juicy Landrum were all selected in the 2020 WNBA draft, which was held virtually on Friday evening.
Lady Bears ready for WNBA draft
Senior forward Lauren Cox shoots against the University of Texas on Baylor's Senior Night at the Ferrell Center. Emileé Edwards | Multimedia Journalist By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer The WNBA draft starts at 6 p.m. tonight and will be held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Three Baylor Lady Bears, forward Lauren Cox, guard Te’A Cooper and guard Juicy Landrum, are expected to be selected. Cox said that she is unsure how the virtual draft experience will be.
After XFL shutdown, former Baylor, XFL punter Drew Galitz reflects on experience
FILE - In this March 5, 2019, file photo, XFL Commissioner and CEO Oliver Luck speaks during a news conference at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. The XFL filed for bankruptcy on Monday, likely spelling the end of the second iteration of the league. Associated Press By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer The XFL suspended operations last week for the foreseeable future and laid off most of its employees. A day later, the league filed for bankruptcy.
Women’s tennis seniors excited to return
Baylor women's tennis senior Angie Shakhraichuk celebrates a point during an indoor match at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center. The Kiev, Ukraine native will return for an extra season next year. Brittney Matthews | Multimedia Editor By Pranay Malempati | Sports Editor Baylor women’s tennis will get its full team back next season as seniors Jessica Hinojosa and Angie Shakhraichuk have both decided to return after the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility to spring athletes a few weeks ago.
Reimagining sports media without sports
By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer The COVID-19 pandemic has had an obvious effect on sports, causing essentially all professional and collegiate athletics to either cancel or postpone play. What may be less apparent are the effects this pandemic has had on sports media and broadcasting. John Morris, “Voice of the Bears” and Assistant AD for Broadcasting said that while Baylor pays him a salary, the “screeching halt” of sports has hurt many sports media members financially.
President Livingstone, Provost Brickhouse explain Baylor’s research Tier 1 pursuit
University President Dr. Linda Livingstone and Provost Nancy Brickhouse explain Baylor's pursuit of Tier 1 research and the challenges the pandemic has created. Brittney Matthews | Multimedia Editor By Pranay Malempati | Reporter Baylor announced its plans to pursue the status of becoming a Tier 1 research university in August, which is defined as having a very high level of both research activity and per capita in such research activity.
Ranking last decade’s Super Bowl champs
FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady holds up the game ball after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass. Brady was selected to the 2010s NFL All-Decade Team announced Monday, April 6 by the NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Baylor senior Freddie Gillespie looks forward after abrupt end to season
Senior Freddie Gillespie (right) laughs with redshirt junior MaCio Teague during Baylor's home match against Oklahoma. Gillespie won't receive an extra year of eligibility after the NCAA'a cancellation of the 2020 men's basketball tournament. Brittney Matthews | Multimedia Editor By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer “Like losing a relative.” That was how Baylor senior forward Freddie Gillespie described his emotions when he found out his college basketball career had come to an abrupt end.
Kim Mulkey selected to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2020 class
Coach Kim Mulkey watches the players intensely during their game against Iowa State. Mulkey was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Saturday. Brittney Matthews | Multimedia Editor By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey was selected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday for the 2020 class.
Richards sweeps Defensive POY awards
Junior guard Didi Richards dribbles the ball during Baylor's 83-62 win against Iowa State at the Ferrell Center. Richards receive both conference and national Defensive Player of the Year awards. Brittney Matthews | Multimedia Editor By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer Baylor women’s basketball’s Didi Richards received her third postseason award Wednesday when she was named the 2020 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
Baylor psychology professor helps present research to U.S. Congress
Baylor psychology professor Dr. Sara Dolan, was part of a panel from the National Academies of Sciences. The panel presented their findings to the U.S. Congress after conducting research about the long-term health effects of anti-malarial drugs.
Dossey and Kober to return for Baylor men’s golf, Dossey makes Palmer Cup
Senior Cooper Dossey competes in the Gopher Invitational in Sept. 2019. Dossey will return for his fifth year at Baylor and will also compete with Team USA in the 2020 Palmer Cup. Photo courtesy of Baylor Athletics By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer After the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility for spring-sport athletes, senior Baylor men’s golfers Cooper Dossey and Colin Kober are set to return next season.
NCAA made correct decision regarding athlete eligibility for Division I sports
By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer On Monday, the NCAA Division I Council Committee voted regarding eligibility for winter and spring-sport athletes. The committee decided to grant an extra year of eligibility to spring athletes, but denied an extra year for winter athletes. While this may be controversial in either direction, the NCAA ultimately made the correct decision.
Baylor men’s tennis reacts to season’s cancellation after COVID-19 outbreak
Graduate transfer Ryan Dickerson reaches down for a ball during Baylor's 7-0 sweep over Grand Canyon on Feb. 22 at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center. DJ Ramirez | Sports Editor By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer Two weeks ago, along with the rest of Baylor sports and all NCAA sports across the country, the Baylor men’s tennis season was canceled.
Lady Bears’ Cox reacts to NCAA cancellations, awaits eligibility decision
Baylor senior forward Lauren Cox smiles after Baylor scored during their 83-62 victory over Iowa State. Brittney Matthews | Multimedia Editor By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer The Baylor women’s basketball team entered this season as defending national champions and continued its success with a Big 12 championship and a 28-2 record entering postseason play. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Big 12 and NCAA cancelled the remainder of the season for all winter and spring sports.
COVID-19 affects Baylor science research
By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer The impact that COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, has had on society is absolutely massive. Entire states are shutting down. Both governors and mayors have given stay-in-place orders in many states and counties, including Waco. Consequently, colleges have also shut down. Something that COVID-19, as well as the lack of students on campus, has affected in the Baylor community is research.
Sports Take: NFL schedule changes are unnecessary
FILE - In a Jan. 30 file photo, Eric Winston, president of the NFL Players Association, speaks at the annual state of the NFLPA press conference, in Miami Beach, Fla. NFL players have approved a new labor agreement with the league that features a 17-game regular season, higher salaries, increased roster sizes and larger pensions for current and former players.
Make cancelling class worth it
By Pranay Malempati | Sports Reporter Last week, Baylor announced an extended spring break and two weeks of online classes. Because of that announcement, and because of what has been taking place in universities around the country, Monday’s news seemed inevitable. President Livingstone’s announcement that Baylor is moving online for the remainder of the semester certainly hit hard for a lot of students. But it especially hit hard for seniors who are graduating in May.
Keeping up with NFL free agency season
In this Jan. 4 file photo, Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins celebrates with fans after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills in Houston. The Arizona Cardinals have acquired three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a trade that will send running back David Johnson and draft picks to the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
Baylor Basketball: Top 10 games of the 2019-2020 season
Baylor guard Te'a Cooper, left and forward Lauren Cox, right, jump at the end of the first quarter of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Texas on Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Waco, Texas.
Lady Bears defeat UT on Senior Night
Senior guard Juicy Landrum lines up to shoot from beyond the arc during Baylor’s 69-53 victory over the University of Texas, Thursday night at the Ferrell Center for Senior Night. Emileé Edwards | Multimedia Journalist By Pranay Malempati | Sports Writer No. 2 Baylor women’s basketball defeated the Texas Longhorns at home Thursday night 69-53. The team improved to 28-1 on the season and 17-0 in the Big 12, just one game away from completing a perfect conference slate.
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