Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:43:39 +0000

The two worst phrases a fan can hear about their team are “rebuilding year,” or “gaining a lot of experience.” These are basically two ways of saying: “We are not expecting a lot, but stick with us and we will be better next year.” Injuries, losing a lot of upperclassman, or changing coaches, can be reasons for this situation, and in the case of the University of Wyoming men’s basketball team, they have two out of the three taken care of. With the most noteworthy event for Wyoming being a YouTube classic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvY7zv9St4w), and although that video is awesome, there are other stories to this year’s Cowboy team.

Losing 4 of their top 6 scorers to graduation, the team knew they were in for an uphill battle. However, returning second-leading scorer, sophomore Afam Muojeke, would provide the team leadership that Heath Schroyer’s club desperately needed. Things have a funny way of working out because in the fifth conference game of the year, Muojeke was lost for the rest of the year with a knee injury. Now, with the majority of the conference season still remaining, the incoming freshman class was thrown into the fire and forced to learn on the fly against one of the strongest Mountain West Conferences in recent memory.

Wyoming has the 3rd-youngest Division 1 basketball program, and as can be expected, they showed their youth often. However, there is an upside: the experience they gain by facing more experienced competition such as New Mexico and BYU will pay huge dividends in the future. Wyoming is like the little brother who always challenges his older brothers in pick-up games; he always gets beat in the beginning, but as he gets better and learns from his mistakes, watch out. An example of this for UW has been the emergence of true freshman Desmar Jackson. He has provided Poke fans with a bright spot as the team has tried to find a new identity. Jackson has been the leading scorer for the Cowboys in 6 of the last 10 games, including a career high 31 points against Utah on February 20th. With Muojeke returning next year, and Jackson gaining confidence, UW is already positioning itself to make run in the Mountain West for years to come.

You may be wondering at the title, what does Wyoming have in common with UCLA and North Carolina? These two national powerhouse college basket ball programs are in a similar situation as Wyoming: UCLA, with losing a lot of upper-class talent, and North Carolina has experienced both as injuries and the NBA draft have depleted their roster. Now, UCLA is struggling below .500 for the first time in years, and UNC is just trying to make the NIT. However, like Wyoming, they are also gaining experience, and I expect to see all three teams return to their previous levels of success next year.

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March 04, 2010

I went to The University of Texas. I'm over it. Move on.

How does it feel to watch your Horns fall from an overrated number 1 NCAA position to out of the top 25 in a couple of months? That's got to hurt.

You're barking up the wrong tree, Jethro. I graduated 34 years ago. I'm over it. I didn't live and die with them now and damn sure don't live and die with them now. If you're going to insult me by insulting my college, you're going to have a long day of work.

I get emails like, ''Hey, Richard, Texas is nothing but a bunch of pot-smoking, Obama-loving, tree-hugging nuts. What do you think of that?''

I don't think your opinion of my college is worth a bucket of warm spit. It's a curious psychology that people remained abnormally attached to their alma mater through the sports teams.

It's actually a sickness. I've had people threaten me because I insulted UH, A&M or Texas Tech. I mean, who cares? I couldn't care less what you think of The University of Texas.

On the day of the national championship game, an A&M honors grad posted on his Facebook page, ''(Bleep) Mack Brown. (Bleep) Texas.'' He went on for about 500 words. His parents must be so proud. Money well spent.

I love The University of Texas for reasons that have zero to do with the football team. I wish the funding for my daughter's TA gig hadn't been pulled, but over time, I'll recover.

Otherwise, writing about Texas football is my job. Do I like it? I like Mack Brown and the players. I'm annoyed by the paranoia around college football programs and the bubble in which these kids live.

I also think the world of Mike Sherman, Bob Stoops, Tommy Tuberville, Kevin Sumlin and David Baliff. I'm much more emotionally invested in the Astros, Texans and Rockets because I know the people in charge and want them to succeed. I can't say I really know Mike Sherman or Mack Brown.

If you're still attached to your school to the point that you'd throw punches, you should seek counseling. As for me, you can say what you want about any team except the University of Wyoming swim team. I'll throw down over the Pokes.