On Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, the No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs tipped off against the No. 6 Kansas Jayhawks. When the dust settled, the Zags opened the season with a 102-90 win. Now, 30 wins later, Gonzaga is on the edge of both school and national history as they take on the No. 1 seeded Baylor Bears for the 2021 national championship.

It was always supposed to be this game. The Zags and the Bears have been the top two teams throughout virtually the entire season. The squads were set to play in early December, but a positive COVID test in the Gonzaga camp derailed the game mere hours before tipoff.

That was probably for the best, honestly. Gonzaga has coasted through this tournament until UCLA decided to make it a game. The end result was one of the best Final Four contests in recent memory and Jalen Suggs one shining moment. Baylor has looked strong as well, less so in the early rounds but defeated Houston as aggressively as possible on Saturday.

After one of the longest years in recent memory, the college basketball gods have rewarded us with a contest of titans in similar circumstances. Baylor last played in the national championship in 1948 and has never won it all. Gonzaga last played for the title in 2017 and fell short.

40 more minutes. Go Zags.

Game info

• Time: 6:20 pm PT
• TV: CBS
• Online: March Madness Live