I love this b-ball team

[Texanne]

TEAM.

 

[Chest Rockwell]

I agree - perhaps the most enjoyable season ever, given the expectations and the way they are winning/playing up to potential. Barnes has a legitimate shot at National COY.

 

[BabHorn]

+1 with Texanne.

 

[duff_man]

I love this thread.

 

[300zx]

 

[LonghornCatholic]

 

[DINO22]

The Coach's Staff have done a great job.

 

[Statalyzer]

I am now officially going to not be surprised by any other games we win this season.

 

[arieshorn]

 

[Texas Taps]

 

[WorsterMan]

I believe!

 

[Mesohorny]

 

[cmtsip]

 

[Third Coast]

I don't believe I've seen a more cohesive Texas team since Abe's Horns won the NIT in '78. Of course that was a much more experienced group with no depth - the exact opposite of this year's team.

And on another blast from the past note - probably the most surprising season (albeit the antithesis of this season) since Wacker went down in Waco in '82.

 

[UTExinPDX]

 

[uisge beatha]

Another great team win

 

[MojoMan]

They weren't nearly so easy to love tonight against TCU.

Unfortunately, this team appears to be ripe for a loss, probably one of their next two games, if not both. I hope it does not happen, but this is a good time for it if it is going to happen.

 

[blonthang]

The equivalent of this game, last year's KU @ TCU resulted in TCU beating KU.

So, on balance, Texas is doing okay. At least they pulled out a tough win against the Cockaroaches.

7-2 in conference at this point is superb for this squad.

Going 0.500 in conference for the remainder of the season wouldn't be the end of the world (but impossible since there are 9 games, duh), but 5-4 or even 4-5 would result in a Big XII season of 12-6 or 11-7, and overall 22-8 or 21-9, well beyond pre-season expectations, and an almost certain NCAA bid.

Edit: Of course not counting Big XII tournament results, but still okay.


Hook 'em

 

[notanative]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[Brad Austin]

Actually last night's narrow victory makes me appreciate this team even more. There's no doubt that was a trap game, and even minus a key player in Felix. I expected that game to come down to the final 5 min before it even began. The reason I love what they did? They battled their *** off on a night where they simply didn't have it.

In the end, they battled fiercely for the win and ripped it away from TCU. It was constant rebounding and even clutch free throws from Ridley. When their back was against the wall and time was almost out, they stepped it up and turned TCU away. It was a great hard-fought, ugly win. Exactly the kind you need just as much as cruising on a good night. Winning ugly is an important skill to learn as well. Great job Horns!!!

 

[notanative]

^^^

This.

 

[blonthang]

On that theme, what I liked to see (or not see, as the case may be) was body language, facial expressions, and controlled tempers by the Horns.

I know the rules have changed on fouls (kind of back to the old days --- you touch 'em, it's a foul), and I bleed burnt orange blood, but a lot of the calls early on looked like some serious home cooking by the refs.

Regardless, the Horns just walked them off --- case in point, the tie up between Ridley and the Cockaroach in which the Frog kind of slapped Cam's face in the tangle and Ridley finally reached out to the guy's jersey number and pushed him off, knocking him to the floor.

Foul Ridley, a flagrant 1, but Ridley didn't seem to even say anything to fellow players or coaches, just like: "Yeah, I got the foul but I let the other guy know he's not going to push me around either."

No hysterics, no yapping, just get back into the game and get the next points and rebound.

Good to see; this control will be needed if/when the Big Dance time comes around, playing in front of REALLY hostile crowds and on national TV.

Hook 'em