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MaCio Teague and Mark Vital: The Quiet (and Not So Quiet) Foundation of Baylor's Culture Change

MaCio Teague was well aware of the fact Arkansas had rattled off three straight double-digit comebacks in three tournament games. As he strode into Baylor’s locker room at halftime, he knew the vibe was off. The top-seeded Bears’ first men’s Final Four berth in 71 years hung in the balance. Baylor played well, but the Razorbacks had cut its lead to eight points at halftime. The type of March-specific pressure you can’t simulate had started to to seep in. Teague, spoke up, his messaging pointed and quick. Keep it simple, stay together.

Already in the room was Mark Vital, Baylor’s eldest statesman and resident pot-stirrer, as aware of the stakes as anyone.