Return to my roots

This blog was born in Kansas City, MO during Big 12 Media Days for the 200 football season. Back then, Matt Mosley hadn't caught on to blogging yet, and this was the one and only Hash Marks blog.
Oh well, we can't all be as clever and original as me.
Anyway, I'll be back there on Thursday to cover the Big 12 tournament, and I'll try to update regularly.

Quick recap of Texas basketball awards and recognitions so far:
Rick Barnes: NABC Distict 9 Coach of the Year, All-Big 12 Coach of the Year
D.J. Augustin: ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-American, First Team Sporting News All-American, First Team All-Big 12, USBWA All-District VII Team
A.J. Abrams: USBWA All-District VII Team, Second Team All-Big 12
Damion James: USBWA All-District VII Team, Second Team All-Big 12
Justin Mason: All-Big 12 Defensive Team

Bobby Knight Retires

Texas Tech head coach Bobby Knight suddenly resigned earlier tonight.
I won't go over his career accomplishments or scandals as if you don't already know who he is.
His affect on Texas head coach Rick Barnes probably can't be overstated. Barnes loves Knight and isn't shy about it. He released a statement upon hearing of his mentor's resignation.

Statement from Rick Barnes on Bob Knight Retiring

"The best that has ever been has just walked off into the sunset. As
people reflect on his career, they will begin to recognize what Bob
Knight has been able to accomplish. He has affected countless numbers of
people with his teachings and ideas, people he could never realize that
he has touched. And that will continue in time as we pass down those
teachings to future generations. There is so much I admire about Coach
Knight. What I admire most is his willingness to share what he had
learned with anyone along the way, his reverence for the game, and his
respect for those who came before him. There is no question he has left
the game of basketball far better than he found it."

On Pat Knight taking over the head coaching duties:

"I've gotten to know Pat pretty well since he has been in Lubbock and I
respect him greatly. He has had the best seat in the house, having
played for his father and sitting next to him on the bench, so we know
he's learned some pretty important lessons along the way. Pat is more
than ready to be a head coach."

I'm just disappointed I only had one chance to see him up close. It came just a few days ago when the Red Raiders lost to Texas at the Erwin Center. In the post-game press conference Knight was curt but as polite as could be expected. He left suddenly after deciding he'd answered enough questions.

Matt Hill Done for Season

Matt Hill's season is over before it began.
Friday the six-foot-ten sophomore will undergo surgery on his injured left heel, and he won't recover in time to play this season. Hill hasn't seen any action yet this year because of the injury, and he missed a lot of time last year with injuries.
Texas already suffers from a lack of depth, and the return of Hill was seen as part of the antidote for that problem. Now the Longhorns will have to look elsewhere.
Rick Barnes could have used Hill to provide some size to an undersized lineup, but he'll have to wait for next season.
At this point in the season, Hill was one of three players yet to see action. Freshman Dogus Balbay is probably out for the year after being injured in a pickup game, and freshman Gary Johnson suffers from a heart condition which has precluded his opportunity to play thus far.