Goodbye Augustin

Well, at first I thought he was coming back. Then, as the process dragged on I started changing my mind. Now, he's made the decision.
D.J. Augustin will enter the NBA draft.
I think he could've used another year, but I hope I'm wrong.
Back during the regular season, he said he'd be back no matter what happened. I don't hold it against him too much that he changed his mind — what with all the money and fame involved — but he should have seen that coming, you'd think.

A.J. Abrams to Declare for Draft (?!?!)

Fox Sports is reporting that A.J. Abrams is going to declare for the draft. He won't hire an agent, and he'll probably still come back to Texas, but apparently he's going to take advantage of a recent rule change that allows NBA teams to pay for his workouts while he weighs his options.
I suppose he's got nothing to lose, unless he actually enters the draft, but I'm not sure how much he stands to gain either.
On the flip side, just goes to show you that yesterday when I was among the reporters hounding D.J. Augustin about whether or not he'll go pro, I should've checked up with Abrams. I could've maybe been the first to know and might have gotten some insight into what he's thinking.

D.J. Augustin still hasn't decided

I just thought you should know: D.J. Augustin said today that he hasn't decided on whether or not he'll take his game to the NBA. Furthermore, he said he didn't have any timetable for a decision. Of course, the deadline is April 27th, so he'll have to make a decision by then.

Augustin takes Cousy Award

D.J. Augustin is the nation's best point guard.
You might argue with that assessment, but I wouldn't. And neither would the people who decide such things.
Augustin was declared the winner of the 2008 Bob Cousy Award, which goes to the country's top point guard each season. The sophomore will be presented the award at the Marriott River Walk in San Antonio this Monday.
Augustin's 5.8 assists per game were enough to lead the Big 12, and he was the conference's second-leading scorer with 19.2 points per game.
The Cousy Award has only been around for five years, and Texas A&M's Acie Law won it last year.

My Bracket

HOUSTON — Hopefully you can click on that image and get a readable image. My Final Four is intact with North Carolina and UCLA already qualified.
If Kansas can take care of business (and Stephen Curry), and if Texas can pull off an upset, I'll be looking real good.
I know my bracket might seem homer-ish, but if the Longhorns beat UCLA in California, the y can do it in San Antonio, right?
And Memphis ain't that good. (Ok, after watching them yesterday I have to rethink everything, but it's a bit late for that.)
At the beginning of the season, an Elite 8 berth would've sounded like a nice goal. With the way things have gone, I think Texas needs one more win to end this season with hardly a trace of disappointment. (Any season that ends with a loss carries at least a measure of disappointment.)

Miami athletes' reputation safe

So I didn't post here as much as I would've liked to, but there was one funny tidbit from Miami's press conference before the Hurricanes played Texas that deserves some mention.
Former Rick Barnes assistant Frank Haith now coaches Miami. He took a page out of his old boss's say-anything-and-damn-the-reaction book after being asked about guard Jack McClinton and his penchant for delivering motivational metaphors to his teammates.
McClinton and the players had broached the subject earlier in the presser, and someone was curious to learn more about it. The reporter asked, "coach, your players talked about Jack giving metaphors before the game to kind of motivate them. Would you be able to share any of those with us and also just a little bit on Jack's leadership?"
Miami has a reputation for academics over athletics, and that's putting it nicely. Haith's tongue-in-cheek answer only reinforced it.
"That's a big word for my team to say, 'metaphor,'" he answered.

Latest Cheerleader Commentary

LITTLE ROCK, Ar., — So I know you all enjoyed that post about Texas' cheerleaders, so here's one on Miami's.
The Hurricane squad here at the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament has seven guys and five girls. Now, it's not as bad as Texas A&M and their "Yell Leaders" and their lack of cheerleaders, but seriously, how can you justify this?
Male cheerleaders are for lifting. It doesn't take seven guys to lift five girls. So, two of them end up spotting. At this level, you don't need spotters (though one Miami girl did take a tumble...) so they just stand their tapping on their megaphones.
Points for the classic Miami attire, points deducted for the guys that stand around.

The College Basketball Experience

KANSAS CITY, Mo., — This town can be a bit boring if you don't know what to do, and I don't know what to do. So I explored "The College Basketball Experience" again, and then spent a good while making a little multimedia presentation.
This way, you too can experience the College Basketball Experience.

Texas Cheerleaders Cheering Well

KANSAS CITY, Mo., — I'm courtside at the Sprint Center, and since the writers from school papersdon't get primo seats, I'm stuck in the corner, just caddycorner from Texas' cheerleaders and dancers.
Texas is putting the finishing touches on OU during the semifinal game — it's 77-49 right now with 2:47 left — and the pom-pom wavers have to get some credit. (FYI, my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek.)
They've taken to calling out individual opposing players by number and picking them apart. Blake Griffin is a favorite target of theirs, and they keep telling him to quit looking at them. It's hilarious.
When they first started with him, he ended up with possession under the basket — and promptly got called for a 3-second violation. He hasn't been the same since.
The Nebraska writer on my right commended them for their passion, and I do too.

And the game is over... Texas advances.

Texas downs Cowboys at Big 12 Tourney

KANSAS CITY, Mo., -- Texas beat Oklahoma State 66-59 at the Sprint Center to advance to the Semifinal round of the Big 12 Tournament.
Damion James came up huge with 11 points and 23 points while D.J. Augustin led the team with 24 points.










By Stephen Durda

Texas women fall in quarters

KANSAS CITY, MO -- Well I'm in Kansas City, but I was on the road when the Longhorns' impressive run ended at the hands of Oklahoma State. The Cowgirls won 75-72, and the Longhorn women are on the bubble for the NCAA tournament. Their chances of making the field of 64 look pretty good though as they finished the season by winning five of their last six games.
The team learns its fate Monday, March 17 during the NCAA Women's Basketball Selection Special.

On a personal note, Kansas City is still unimpressive. Exits are in short supply, so if you wind up on a freeway, you'd better be headed in the right direction. Otherwise, a five-minute drive might turn into a 45-minute drive. (Don't blame me, I wasn't driving.)
Another thing, restaurants are either rare in these parts or hidden. If you're looking for Church's Chicken, McDonalds or Denny's you'll do fine, but everything else — even that world-famous barbecue — seems fairly evasive. Tomorrow we plan to hunt it down though.

By the way, I recorded a Texas preview for U-Wire and CSTV for the NCAA Tournament. It'll air between the conference tourney and the Big Dance, check it out if you want to be unimpressed.

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

Augustin set to return next season

Minutes after leading Texas to a 62-45 win over Oklahoma, sophomore point guard D.J. Augustin stated that he plans on returning for his junior season next year.
"I'm definitely coming back," he said. "I'm not even looking at that kind of stuff."
Augustin added that a deep run in the NCAA tournament wouldn't change his outlook, and he said he just wants to win championships.

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.

Gary Johnson Cleared to Play

Freshman Gary Johnson is finally going to play.
After being limited to practicing due to a heart condition, the Houston native will finally make an appearance at the college level.

"After a six-month process of monitoring, testing and evaluation by Dr.
James Willerson (President-Elect at the Texas Heart Institute and
President of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston),
Gary Johnson has been cleared to participate in all physical activities
at The University of Texas, including regular-season games, beginning on
January 1, 2008," UT athletic trainer Fred Burnett said in a statement released by the university. "Based on the team's schedule, the first game Gary can participate in will be the January 2nd home contest against TCU."

At 6-foot-7, 247 pounds, Johnson gives Texas more size that it's been lacking. After losing each of their last two games, the Longhorns can definitely use any boost he provides.

Durant graces EA Sports cover

By Ryan Killian

Good news, Texas fans. You haven't seen the last of Kevin Durant playing basketball in a Longhorns jersey. In fact, he could be here for another four seasons, if you so choose.

You think I'm lying?

Run out and buy the "NCAA March Madness '08" video game when it's released, and there he'll be, right on the cover. Play the game - and your dreams can come true except this time, maybe Durant can get the Longhorns into the Sweet 16 and beyond.

While it seems the Portland Trailblazers will pass over Durant and select Ohio State's Greg Oden with the first pick of Thursday's NBA draft, Electronic Arts Inc. made no such mistake.

The company announced yesterday that Durant has been selected for the cover, meaning that Texas will be the first university to grace two EA Sports game covers at the same time: Vince Young is the "Madden NFL 08" cover athlete.

"A lot of great players have been chosen to be on the cover of EA Sports video games, and it is an honor to be in that company," Durant said. "When I see it on store shelves, it is really going to hit home that it's me on the cover of 'March Madness 08.' I'm going to be first in line to buy all the copies to hand out to all my friends."

At 18 years old, Durant is the second-youngest athlete selected by EA Sports to represent a game, behind then-16-year-old soccer phenom Freddy Adu. So it's safe to say that plenty of his friends will be eager to get a copy of the company's latest title.

The 6-foot-10-inch forward joins a group of UT alumni with mixed subsequent success.

Durant is the fourth Texas alum on an EA Sports cover. Young was the third, while Texas third baseman David Maroul was selected for "MVP 06 NCAA Baseball" after being named the 2005 College World Series Most Outstanding Player, and Ricky Williams earned the nod for the "NCAA Football 2000" game after winning the Heisman Trophy in 1998.

While great things are expected of Durant and Young, Williams has remained in the news only because of his struggles with the NFL and a marijuana habit he refuses to kick. Meanwhile, Maroul is hitting at a .205 clip and striking out too much for the San Francisco Giants' A club in San Jose.

I don't think Durant will get caught up with weed or struggle in the NBA's D-League. Instead, I expect him to follow in the footsteps Young is making right in front of him.

His "NBA Live" cover appearance could be right around the corner.

Goldthwaite girl makes good, Texas town takes note

Jody Conradt, her team and a little town 2 hours northwest of Austin can finally breathe a long sigh of relief.

Conradt won her 900th game Tuesday night after losing six of her last seven, making her one of two coaches in the entire NCAA basketball landscape to reach that mark. Pat Summitt at Tennessee is the other. Conradt's left such legends as John Wooden, Dean Smith and Phog Allen in her wake.

While winning those hundreds of games - and a national title to boot - Conradt's earned attention and respect, receiving spots in multiple halls of fame. But no one's taken more notice of her than the people of Goldthwaite.

Goldthwaite boasts about 2,000 residents. It's the town where Conradt grew up, where she averaged more than 40 points a game during her four years in high school. And, according to Mayor Mike McMahan, it's the town she put on the map.

"We just feel fortunate she's from here, and we've known her all our life," McMahan said.

The 55-year-old McMahan has kept a close eye on Conradt's career, as has most of Goldthwaite's population. A sign near the city limits declares you're approaching her hometown.

Conradt's squad has struggled this season and will need a large dose of benevolence from the NCAA selection committee to compete in this season's tourney, but Conradt's accomplishment should not be overlooked.

Nor should the team. While the Longhorns have notched a modest 18 wins, they've beaten No. 11 Oklahoma and No. 13 Texas A&M. They've shown that when they put their minds to it, they can beat some of the top teams in the nation. With 64 bids to hand out, the selection committee just might be able to find a spot for the Texas team. ESPN's Bracketology currently projects the team as a 12 seed.

That was before they lost 67-58 Wednesday night against the Sooners. The ground these women stand on couldn't be any shakier.

"We're hopeful," Conradt said. "I think our team did everything they could do to try play themselves into the tournament."

But even if Conradt fails to put a team in the field of 64 for the second straight year, she knows she has loyal, albeit frustrated, fans in Goldthwaite.

"When we get beat, or when things are down, we all hurt," McMahan said.

"We all" is the 99.9 percent of town residents that he estimates know who she is. Their kids practice in the same gym that she started her basketball career in. Goldthwaite Eagles look up to her - their reminder that growing up in a pixel of a town doesn't mean they can't affect the world.

"Jody continues to be a role model," McMahan said. "Not only for girls, but for young men around here."

Birthplace of Basketball

Lawrence, KAN. -- Not too often you find yourself at the birthplace of basketball to see Texas fight for a share of the conference title. But here I am an hour and 20 minutes before tipoff at Allen Fieldhouse. The students are already filling up their allotted seats and the place is full of media. I'm here as a photographer. Pretty nice gig, in the second half I'll be next to an ESPN.com photographer with Getty Images and Reuters photogs next to him.

As usual, we had to drive up here, and we made it in about 11.5 hours. After being greeted with snow we headed out for a nice dinner at IHop before calling it a night. Now I'm in the media room, about to get lunch. This place definitely has a different feel than the Erwin Center, even an hour before the game starts. And it's nothing Texas could ever hope to change. This place is just special.

As far as the game goes, I'll predict 29 points from Kevin Durant and a 9-point, 70-61 loss for the Longhorns. Dallas Morning News columnist Chip Brown is predicting a double-digit defeat. Looks like giving Texas much of a chance in this environment isn't a popular move. Maybe we're all wrong.

NASCAR chat

So, I was watching the Auto Club 500 on Sunday, and I also had ESPN.com's race cast up where UT-grad Tim Cowlishaw -- formerly of the Dallas Morning News -- was leading a chat.

I couldn't think of any good questions, but I wanted to say hi from the Daily Texan, and earlier in the day I'd asked one of my co-workers, Eric Ransom, a question concerning Cowlishaw. So I took advantage of the unexpected opportunity, and asked my question.

Ryan Killian (Austin, TX): So, I'm sittin' here in the Daily Texan
office and wondering, when'd you get so into NASCAR?

TIM COWLISHAW: Good to hear from the Daily Texan, the school newspaper
of my alma mater. Late getting into it. Went to Daytona in 2000, been
into it ever since. Look forward to seeing Kevin Durant in person
Wednesday night. And, of course, Fourth Street after.

So there you have it, Cowlishaw's been doing NASCAR for a little while now. He'll be here today.

Too bad I'll be in College Station for Jody Conradt's first attempt a win 900. The Aggies are 15-0 in Reed Arena this season, but Texas beat them 64-45 earlier in the year and is coming off a win.
Could be a good and historic game.

SI Cover Curse?

Kevin Durant has earned himself a Sports Illustrated cover, and it comes out today.

Jinx?

Dating back to 1954 when the Milwaukee Braves' Eddie Matthews graced the magazine's first issue - and injured his hand a week later - the superstition has percolated that a stint of bad luck came with a spot on the cover. In the '50s alone, one athlete was killed and another paralyzed from the neck down while their cover issues were still on the news racks.

But take heart. Though Texas athletes have felt the curse, it's been only in the form of a loss. In 1970 and 1977 undefeated Texas teams lost their next games, and in 1998, after Ricky Williams made a cover appearance, the Longhorns lost to Texas Tech. If history holds, a loss to Baylor on Saturday is the worst we can expect. OK, maybe he'll fail to notch a double-double and be outscored by an injured Aaron Bruce too.

Point is, jinx schminx.

Look at Vince Young. All he did while on the cover of Sports Illustrated was win Texas a national title and lift his draft status somewhere just above the stratosphere.

T.J. Ford and Cat Osterman weren't slowed by their joint appearance on a cover in 2002, but then they were there in the off-season.

Chris Simms was also on that cover.

Five days later, the Longhorns fell 35-24 to the Sooners. Simms was sacked four times, and he threw three interceptions.

All of a sudden, that game against Baylor doesn't look so easy. They are on the road; Bruce is an All-Big 12 honorable mention.

But he's also from Horsham, Victoria, Australia.

Nevermind.

Besides, that was Chris Simm's second cover appearance. In his first, he was being leveled by Oklahoma's Jimmy Wilkerson. It wasn't the covers getting to him. It was the Sooners.

Texas' history of overcoming any perceived jinx is long. Running back Jimmy Saxton made a cover appearance in 1961 and finished a close third in the year's Heisman race. Running back/punter Ernie Koy was featured after Texas upset No. 1 Alabama in 1965, and he began a successful NFL career that same year. James Street parlayed his appearance into a national championship in 1969.

Durant will join their company soon and surpass them all eventually. There's nothing to worry about.

Then again, after T.J. Ford found himself on the cover before 2003's Final Four, he turned in one of the least remarkable performances of his career. Among Texas players, he finished fourth in points - tied with Brian Boddicker.

Did I mention the 6-foot-3-inch, 190-pound Bruce led NCAA freshmen in scoring his rookie season and was labeled a "Diaper Dandy" by Dick Vitale?

Texas hasn't got a prayer.