Baylor's MaCio Teague, left, and Flo Thamba celebrate after the Bears defeated Gonzaga in Monday night's NCAA title game.
In pictures: March Madness 2021
Baylor's MaCio Teague, left, and Flo Thamba celebrate after the Bears defeated Gonzaga in Monday night's NCAA title game.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Updated 0420 GMT (1220 HKT) April 06, 2021

Baylor won its first national title in men's basketball on Monday night, crushing top-ranked Gonzaga 86-70 in the final game of the NCAA Tournament.

The Bears (28-2) were suffocating on defense and lights-out from behind the 3-point arc, just as they have been all season. They were led by Jared Butler, who had a team-high 22 points and seven assists and was later named the tournament's most outstanding player.

It was a heartbreaking finish for Gonzaga (31-1), which was looking to become the first undefeated champion since 1976.

The final was played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. All of this year's games were played in Indiana because of the coronavirus pandemic, and fan attendance was limited.

This was the first NCAA Tournament in two years. Last year's was canceled because of the pandemic.

See photos of the women's tournament

Gonzaga's Corey Kispert consoles teammate Jalen Suggs after the game.
Gonzaga's Corey Kispert consoles teammate Jalen Suggs after the game.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Confetti falls around MaCio Teague as he raises Baylor's trophy.
Confetti falls around MaCio Teague as he raises Baylor's trophy.
Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Baylor players celebrate after the final buzzer.
Baylor players celebrate after the final buzzer.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Fans get an overhead view of the court during Monday night's final at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Fans get an overhead view of the court during Monday night's final at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Trevor Brown Jr/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Baylor fans celebrate the win.
Baylor fans celebrate the win.
Trevor Brown Jr/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Baylor's Jared Butler looks for a teammate to pass to. Butler had 22 points and seven assists on Monday night.
Baylor's Jared Butler looks for a teammate to pass to. Butler had 22 points and seven assists on Monday night.
Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
MaCio Teague is met by Drew Timme at the basket.
MaCio Teague is met by Drew Timme at the basket.
Jack Dempsey/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Gonzaga head coach Mark Few reacts to a play in the first half.
Gonzaga head coach Mark Few reacts to a play in the first half.
Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Mark Vital reacts to a play.
Mark Vital reacts to a play.
Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
MaCio Teague shoots over Drew Timme. Teague finished the game with 19 points.
MaCio Teague shoots over Drew Timme. Teague finished the game with 19 points.
Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Jalen Suggs celebrates a play with Drew Timme in the second half.
Jalen Suggs celebrates a play with Drew Timme in the second half.
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Flo Thamba blocks a shot by Gonzaga's Corey Kispert.
Flo Thamba blocks a shot by Gonzaga's Corey Kispert.
Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Jalen Suggs goes up for a basket. The freshman guard led the Bulldogs with 22 points.
Jalen Suggs goes up for a basket. The freshman guard led the Bulldogs with 22 points.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Flo Thamba dives for a loose ball in the first half.
Flo Thamba dives for a loose ball in the first half.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Drew Timme and Flo Thamba take part in the opening tip-off.
Drew Timme and Flo Thamba take part in the opening tip-off.
Jack Dempsey/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Gonzaga huddles before taking the floor Monday night.
Gonzaga huddles before taking the floor Monday night.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Fans were joined by cardboard cutouts inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Fans were joined by cardboard cutouts inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Baylor players are introduced before the start of the final.
Baylor players are introduced before the start of the final.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Fans purchase merchandise before the game.
Fans purchase merchandise before the game.
Trevor Brown Jr/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Gonzaga's Jalen Suggs shoots a long 3-pointer to beat UCLA in the semifinals on Saturday. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2021/04/03/sport/baylor-v-houston-final-four-game-results/index.html" target="_blank">The dramatic buzzer-beater</a> gave the Bulldogs a 93-90 overtime win.
Gonzaga's Jalen Suggs shoots a long 3-pointer to beat UCLA in the semifinals on Saturday. The dramatic buzzer-beater gave the Bulldogs a 93-90 overtime win.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Suggs celebrates with teammates after the shot.
Suggs celebrates with teammates after the shot.
Michael Conroy/AP
Suggs consoles UCLA star Johnny Juzang after the game.
Suggs consoles UCLA star Johnny Juzang after the game.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
UCLA's Cody Riley is blocked by Suggs in the closing minutes of the second half.
UCLA's Cody Riley is blocked by Suggs in the closing minutes of the second half.
Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Gonzaga's Anton Watson shoots over Cody Riley.
Gonzaga's Anton Watson shoots over Cody Riley.
Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Gonzaga's Corey Kispert and UCLA's Tyger Campbell get tangled up.
Gonzaga's Corey Kispert and UCLA's Tyger Campbell get tangled up.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Suggs drives to the basket against UCLA.
Suggs drives to the basket against UCLA.
Trevor Brown Jr/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Jaime Jaquez Jr. secures a loose ball for UCLA.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. secures a loose ball for UCLA.
Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Corey Kispert throws down a dunk.
Corey Kispert throws down a dunk.
Darron Cummings/AP
UCLA fans cheer for the Bruins.
UCLA fans cheer for the Bruins.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Gonzaga's Joel Ayayi reacts to a 3-pointer in the first half.
Gonzaga's Joel Ayayi reacts to a 3-pointer in the first half.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Andrew Nembhard shoots a floater over Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Andrew Nembhard shoots a floater over Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Robert Deutsch/USA Today Sports
UCLA players stand in the tunnel prior to Saturday's game.
UCLA players stand in the tunnel prior to Saturday's game.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Baylor players celebrate a late basket in their blowout win over Houston in the Final Four.
Baylor players celebrate a late basket in their blowout win over Houston in the Final Four.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Baylor's Mark Vital crashes into teammate Matthew Mayer, center, while competing for a rebound with Houston's Brison Gresham.
Baylor's Mark Vital crashes into teammate Matthew Mayer, center, while competing for a rebound with Houston's Brison Gresham.
Robert Deutsch/USA Today Sports
The Final Four took place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The Final Four took place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Darron Cummings/AP
Referee Chris Rastatter talks with Baylor head coach Scott Drew on Saturday.
Referee Chris Rastatter talks with Baylor head coach Scott Drew on Saturday.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Houston's DeJon Jarreau goes over Baylor's Jared Butler in the first half.
Houston's DeJon Jarreau goes over Baylor's Jared Butler in the first half.
Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Jarreau tried to block a Butler layup attempt. Butler finished with a team-high 17 points.
Jarreau tried to block a Butler layup attempt. Butler finished with a team-high 17 points.
Darron Cummings/AP
An usher at the Final Four holds a sign that reads "please wear face coverings." The fans were spread out with the help of cardboard cutouts.
An usher at the Final Four holds a sign that reads "please wear face coverings." The fans were spread out with the help of cardboard cutouts.
Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Houston's Justin Gorham, left, battles Baylor's Flo Thamba for a possible rebound.
Houston's Justin Gorham, left, battles Baylor's Flo Thamba for a possible rebound.
Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos/Getty Images