Tuesday, March 8
Texas 74 Oklahoma State 73
HUGE WIN. Texas survived 74-73 in rowdy Stillwater, Oklahoma on Saturday night. The win cannot be overstated. Not only did we win on Senior Night, not only did we break Oklahoma State’s twenty-nine game home winning streak, not only did we achieve our first significant road victory of the season, but we solidified our place in the NCAA tourney. This was a season saving and hopefully season changing win. I have to admit, I didn’t give us much of a chance: twelve point underdogs on ESPN at the toughest arena in the Big 12 and one of the toughest in the country. I never bet on Texas but would have felt confident laying a dozen against the Horns. This was enormous.
The Horns started well. By well, I mean they didn’t get run out of the gym. They held within a few points for most of the first half and took a one point halftime lead through divine intervention and a banked Kenny Taylor three as time expired. Texas and Oklahoma State were tied 56-56 with about eight minutes to go. We couldn’t have been in a better position. Texas took the lead and never relinquished it. Not even a bad “shooting foul” call on Brad Buckman with under a second left could ruin the victory. Texas was up three points with just seconds left. The ball was inbounded at around half court. Buckman strategically and purposefully fouled Ok State’s Crawford as he was dribbling and clearly on the floor. Crawford played through the foul and made a vain attempt with a half court heave. The refs incorrectly awarded him three foul shots. Thankfully and fatefully, he made just his first and third attempt ensuring a monumental Texas victory.
We got another heroic and career night from Brad Buckman, 27 points and 9 rebounds. Buckman may have taken the OU game off, but he couldn’t have played harder against the Cowboys. And we wouldn’t have won without him. Texas dominated the boards 33-22, played our solid 2-3 zone defense, shot over 53% from the floor, and overcame 16 turnovers, including six from Daniel Gibson. For the second time against Ok State, the zone proved to be the difference. The best three point shooting team in the Big 12 hit just 7-24 (29%) from behind the arc. Texas conversely hit 7-19 (37%) from three point land with an uncharacteristic 3-5 from player of the game, Buckman. Texas also got solid efforts from Gibson (save the turnovers), Taylor, and Klotz. We did suffer another injury though, this one a knee injury to Dion Dowell. No word yet on the extent of the injury.
Saturday night was why I love college basketball. On any court and on any night in just forty minutes anything can happen. Texas likely secured their place in the Big Dance. They also gained valuable confidence heading into this week’s Big 12 tournament in Kansas City. Texas opens with Colorado on Thursday. Texas will be the sixth seed and Colorado the eleventh. A win would lead to a third meeting with this very same Oklahoma State team. My pessimism reared its ugly head briefly, but the excitement and optimism has returned. Given a certain draw, solid play from Buckman and Klotz and controlled turnovers from Gibson, this team can beat anyone and could surprise people the next few weeks. Love the Madness.
--AW--
The Horns started well. By well, I mean they didn’t get run out of the gym. They held within a few points for most of the first half and took a one point halftime lead through divine intervention and a banked Kenny Taylor three as time expired. Texas and Oklahoma State were tied 56-56 with about eight minutes to go. We couldn’t have been in a better position. Texas took the lead and never relinquished it. Not even a bad “shooting foul” call on Brad Buckman with under a second left could ruin the victory. Texas was up three points with just seconds left. The ball was inbounded at around half court. Buckman strategically and purposefully fouled Ok State’s Crawford as he was dribbling and clearly on the floor. Crawford played through the foul and made a vain attempt with a half court heave. The refs incorrectly awarded him three foul shots. Thankfully and fatefully, he made just his first and third attempt ensuring a monumental Texas victory.
We got another heroic and career night from Brad Buckman, 27 points and 9 rebounds. Buckman may have taken the OU game off, but he couldn’t have played harder against the Cowboys. And we wouldn’t have won without him. Texas dominated the boards 33-22, played our solid 2-3 zone defense, shot over 53% from the floor, and overcame 16 turnovers, including six from Daniel Gibson. For the second time against Ok State, the zone proved to be the difference. The best three point shooting team in the Big 12 hit just 7-24 (29%) from behind the arc. Texas conversely hit 7-19 (37%) from three point land with an uncharacteristic 3-5 from player of the game, Buckman. Texas also got solid efforts from Gibson (save the turnovers), Taylor, and Klotz. We did suffer another injury though, this one a knee injury to Dion Dowell. No word yet on the extent of the injury.
Saturday night was why I love college basketball. On any court and on any night in just forty minutes anything can happen. Texas likely secured their place in the Big Dance. They also gained valuable confidence heading into this week’s Big 12 tournament in Kansas City. Texas opens with Colorado on Thursday. Texas will be the sixth seed and Colorado the eleventh. A win would lead to a third meeting with this very same Oklahoma State team. My pessimism reared its ugly head briefly, but the excitement and optimism has returned. Given a certain draw, solid play from Buckman and Klotz and controlled turnovers from Gibson, this team can beat anyone and could surprise people the next few weeks. Love the Madness.
--AW--
