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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Baylor University men's basketball team brought |
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the 2012-2013 season to a triumphant close by winning the National |
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Invitation Tournament on April 4 at Madison Square Garden in New |
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York City; and |
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WHEREAS, After making a powerful opening statement with a |
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46-point trouncing of Long Beach State University in the first |
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round of the NIT, the Bears followed up with victories over Arizona |
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State University, Providence College, and Brigham Young University |
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to reach the title game; and |
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WHEREAS, Taking the floor against the University of Iowa, |
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Baylor was paced by the inspired performances of Cory Jefferson, |
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who scored 23 points, and Isaiah Austin, who tallied 15 points, 9 |
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rebounds, and 5 blocked shots; in addition, tournament Most |
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Outstanding Player Pierre Jackson added to his impressive |
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achievements by ringing up 17 points and 10 assists as the Bears |
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walked away with a resounding 74-54 win to claim the school's first |
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NIT title; and |
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WHEREAS, Baylor excelled in the tournament and all season |
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long thanks to a team effort, with important contributions also |
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being made by the other members of the roster: Deuce Bello, Gary |
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Franklin, Rico Gathers, Brady Heslip, Logan Lowery, Jacob Neubert, |
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Taurean Prince, L. J. Rose, Chad Rykhoek, and A. J. Walton; and |
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WHEREAS, The Bears were ably guided by head coach Scott Drew |
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and assistant coaches Jerome Tang, Grant McCasland, and Paul Mills; |
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further support was provided by director of basketball operations |
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Tim Maloney, director of player development Jared Nuness, and |
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director of video operations Sam Patterson; and |
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WHEREAS, Baylor's success is not limited to stellar play on |
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the court; the team upholds a high standard of academic excellence, |
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and its 2012 student graduation rate was the highest of any |
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basketball team in the Big 12; and |
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WHEREAS, The fine showing by the Baylor Bears in the NIT has |
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been proudly celebrated by their many fans across the Lone Star |
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State, and the team may indeed reflect with pride on a job well |
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done; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate the Baylor University men's |
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basketball team on winning the 2013 National Invitation Tournament |
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and extend to the team's players, coaches, and staff sincere best |
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wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |