CINCINNATI — Baylor University senior guard MaCio Teague went to bed around 7 a.m. Tuesday for a few hours but didn't sound tired at all Tuesday night as he and his teammates returned to Waco.
The 2015 Walnut Hills High School graduate is a national champion and won't ever forget Monday night.
Baylor defeated previously undefeated Gonzaga 86-70 Monday night in the NCAA men's basketball Division I championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
"The atmosphere was incredible," Teague said Tuesday night. "It was like the main stage. The stars were out."
Teague, who scored 19 points Monday night, said Baylor noticed how it was considered an underdog entering the game. That added to the motivation.
Teague and his teammates watched three video clips of some media members picking the Bulldogs.
"We're never really the underdog," Teague said. "We don't try to take teams lightly. We know that we're not the underdog but when we heard we were the underdog that kind of rubbed us the wrong way."
Walnut Hills High School boys basketball coach Ricardo Hill soaked in every euphoric moment as he watched from his stadium seat.
He watched as Teague stepped up onto a table with his teammates to acknowledge the fans after the game.
"Man, that was incredible," Hill told WCPO Tuesday morning. "That was like a bucket list. It was good stuff, man."
Hill recorded the celebration on his phone at Lucas Oil Stadium as Baylor (28-2) captured its first men's basketball national title.
"'Yeah, MaCio,'" Hill shouted from his stadium seat. "'We're proud of you. Yes, sir. You deserve it, baby.'"
Teague's effort on the defensive end was equally impressive as social media captured his strong determination to help his team on one possession.
It was all heart. Monday night was a completion of quite the journey for Teague.
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"CPS is tremendously proud of MaCio Teague for being an NCAA national champion," said Cincinnati Public Schools athletics manager Josh Hardin. "From the start, MaCio has been a special student-athlete and all-around young man; his work ethic and drive rivals anyone who has come through CPS. He was relentless in his efforts of being a top high school player in Cincinnati and top D-I college player in the country. He continues to set big goals and he continues to rise to the highest and achieve them. We look forward to seeing what is next for MaCio Teague."
Teague said he walked around Indianapolis after the game. Teague was able to meet up with his parents, Sean and Barbara, after the game.
Teague may return to the Cincinnati area soon and quite possibly throw out a first pitch at an upcoming Cincinnati Reds game.
Family and friends expressed a significant amount of support for the former Walnut Hills star throughout the NCAA Tournament.
The national title was a perfect ending to Teague's collegiate career.
"Just to see him accomplish that, because I know how hard he worked and what he put into it," Hill said. "Being in the gym at 11 o'clock at night after games and waking up in the morning running on the streets. All the stuff that he put himself through and then last year breaking a wrist and still coming back and playing. He has been through a lot."
Former Walnut Hills athletic director Tom Donnelly said Teague's impact goes beyond basketball.
"It's also wonderful to see someone that works so hard, is so thoughtful in his decision-making and his work and everything else," Donnelly said. "He worked and willed himself to this both. It took both and he got that from his parents (Sean and Barbara)."
Donnelly can't wait to see what the future holds for MaCio Teague after the national title.
"He is a great kid and you love to see great things happen to good people," Donnelly said. "From my perspective, I love to see things like this become another launching pad ,another springboard, for him, not only for a professional career but an opportunity, when his time comes, to influence lives as well."
