Of course, that was eight Texas losses ago.
Now, nearly two months after Texas' potential dream season began to spiral into a nightmare with a loss at Kansas State, it seems almost certain that if a Texas team is to advance to Indianapolis, it won't be the Longhorns.
With that said, it's time to paraphrase former Super Bowl-winning Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson: How 'bout them Baylor Bears?
That's right, sports fans. The same Baylor that has competed in the NCAA Tournament only twice in the last 55-plus years and hasn't won a game in the NCAAs since 1950.
The same Baylor that went 4-12 for 11th place in the Big 12 Conference three seasons ago.
The same Baylor that less than a decade ago found itself embroiled in controversy stemming from the murder of Bears player Patrick Dennehy by teammate Carlton Dotson and improprieties by then-coach Dave Bliss.
However, the thing that's happening right now is that it's not the same Baylor.
The Bears have steadily improved under seventh-year coach Scott Drew to reach their current position. And that position is pretty good - a 24-6 overall record, including 11-5 in conference for the No. 3 seed in the Big 12 Tournament entering Baylor's quarterfinal game tonight against 24-8 Texas.
The Bears were especially strong at home this season, going 15-1, but they've been productive away from Waco, too - 6-4 on the road and 3-1 on neutral courts. They gave current No. 1 Kansas all it wanted before falling 81-75 in Lawrence, where the Jayhawks haven't lost in three years. They beat Texas in Austin before completing a rare sweep of the Longhorns last Saturday.
All of those things bode well for tournament play both this week in Kansas City, Mo., and in the NCAAs.
Baylor enters postseason play on a hot streak, having won four straight games, seven of its last eight and nine of 11. In addition, the Bears haven't lost consecutive games all season.
What impresses me is Baylor's talent, athleticism, balance and versatility.
Junior shooting guard LaceDarius Dunn - with three 30-point games this season - averages 19.2 points per game, has made 100 3-point baskets and shoots 86.6 percent on free throws. He simply knows how to score.
Senior point guard and team leader Tweety Carter averages 15.8 points (with four 27-point games) and 6.3 assists. He's hit 69 3s and 82.4 percent of his foul shots.
Junior power forward Ekpe Udoh has made a tremendous impact at both ends of the floor in his first season at Baylor. A nightmare matchup at 6-10, he's averaging 13.4 points and 9.8 rebounds and has blocked 123 shots.
And as 6-7 sophomore forward Quincy Acy demonstrated during his powerful 10-dunk display against Texas (which should be quite embarrassed by its matador defense), he's capable of changing any game with his above-the-rim ability.
Losing in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament to Purdue and then salvaging what had been a disappointing season by reaching the NIT title game last year were crucial steps in continuing Baylor's building process.
Regardless of what happens in the Big 12 Tournament, the Bears should secure a No. 5 or No. 6 seed for the NCAAs. They'll probably have to spring an upset or two along the way, but it says here that Baylor has everything required to make a run at a Final Four berth.
Besides, stranger things have happened. Remember George Mason?
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Thomas, Wildcats deserve praise for producing breakthrough season
If there's a better turnaround story in Texas high school basketball this season than the Temple boys, I'd like to hear it.
The Wildcats went from 11-18 overall and 5-9 in District 12-5A last year in coach Tim Thomas' first season to 29-7, 10-4 in district and posting four playoff wins to earn a trip to the Class 5A Region II title game this year.
Temple accomplished what it did with a defense-focused strategy and without any NCAA Division I-caliber recruits.
The no-nonsense Thomas deserves credit for installing a plan for success and making his players follow it, and the players deserve credit for buying into their coach's philosophy and executing it on the court.
Kudos, Wildcats, for a job well done.
gwille@tdtnews.com
