Towering Power

Her circle of friends in central Texas is considerable, and includes former president George W. Bush—Crawford, Texas, is about 30 minutes from Waco—whose first public appearance after leaving office was at a Lady Bears game. Barmore, her former coach, has joined her staff, a classic case of mentor serving protégé. Mulkey's daughter, Makenzie Robertson, is on the team as well, a freshman guard. Plus there are the lavish trappings. "It's a great situation here," says Mulkey in a rare understatement.

In the local vernacular she has both hat and cattle. Or calves, anyway. Her team is so young, she says repeatedly, a transparent ploy intended to manage expectation. But not everyone is buying it. "I'm tired of all that stuff; that's bullcorn," Texas A&M coach Gary Blair (who lost to Baylor three times this season and could face the Lady Bears again in the regional final) complained earlier this season when Mulkey started in on her team's inexperience. "Did Tiger [Woods] come on the [PGA] Tour as a freshman and be able to play? If you can play, you can play."

He's right. Baylor can play. And as the women's tournament gets into the "business rounds," the Lady Bears have as good a chance as anyone of winning it all. A team with a 6'8" center, flanked by Odyssey and Destiny? Pick against that at your peril.