Longhorns Update: Six And Four

Number six: The number of losses that the Longhorns have had in the Big 12 Championship game. After Saturday’s loss to Kansas, they are now 0 – 6 all-time – a streak that does not provoke much pride in the faithful. Coach Rick Barnes has done a great job of getting the Horns to the championship game consistently over the years, but has yet to seal the deal. Four of those losses have come against Kansas. Ah the reality of Big 12 basketball. Rock Chalk Jayhawk is here to stay.

Number four: The blowout loss to Kansas resulted in the other major number for the Longhorns today – the number four. March madness is now officially upon us, and the Longhorns go into the West region as a #4 seed. What was once looking like a solid #2 heading to San Antonio is now a #4 on the road to … Anaheim. Oh joy, indeed.

“Six and four” could have easily been one and two. Just a few weeks ago, it was easy to believe that the Longhorns first Big 12 Championship was around the next corner, as was a number one or two seed in the Southwest Region. Now, the reality check - are the Horns entering the Big Dance on the right foot? Or is this going to be another year in which the Horns dance with two left feet and exit stage left in the process?

Although Texas beat Kansas at Lawrence this year – for the first time ever - let’s face it: Texas is no Kansas in terms of performance, program, and ability to win the big game. Saturday’s Big 12 Championship against the Jayhawks was definitely an example of “who wants it more”. Texas was dominated in all aspects of the game. Be it shooting, rebounding, or free throws,  the Horns looked lethargic at best. Gary Johnson, where has your shot gone? Tristan Thompson, after his epic performance against Texas A&M, put in just 21 minutes, spending the vast majority of the game in foul trouble. Wangmene and Hill put in minutes, but no production. The bench was relatively quiet, and the starters weren’t much better. All in all, it was a sad end to their Big 12 run.

It is one thing to lose a tough championship game, but it is another to get blown out at the wrong time of the year. With any luck whatsoever, the February Fade won’t turn into our very own Ides of March. In the first round, they will play Oakland University in Tulsa. Follow that up with a potential second round game against #5 Arizona or #12 Memphis. San Diego State, Connecticut, and Duke all lurk in the shadows of the West region.

If the Horns play the way they did in late January, they could easily be heading to the Sweet Sixteen and a visit to Anaheim. And If not, I think we’ve all already seen what the other option could look like – can you say “Nebraska”?

There is still the optimist that thinks that maybe, just maybe, we could get another match-up with Kansas – in the National Championship. In the meantime, my fingers are crossed to simply get through the first round with a solid performance worthy of this team’s true potential.

Photo credits: Wikipedia