When Michael Irvin got absolutely blitzed and was motionless on the field? One thing I will remember forever as the true definition of classless was when the Eagles fans were laughing and cheering about it, while it was still in doubt whether or not his injury was one of a paralytic nature.

And, in another note re: tonight’s game, Villanova Cheerleaders are to Texas Cheerleaders what spam is to foie gras. Come on.

… that level of hate-speak from you about OU? I mean, not even really close.

Anyway, great freakin’ game. Need to hit the free throws, though. Mason looked good again at the point, and James had some success early on with the entry lob to Dexter, who also looked like a monster for a few.

Bad things: Atchley. Just absolutely no fire, no intensity. Getting owned by guys half his size. So far Chappy looks like a meaner version of Atch minus the “I must be wide-open” trey capability. Bad Connor has installed himself again. I just hope that Barnes can find a way to scare him off this time.

Also bad: Sloppy ball handling, refusal to give the ball to Pittman even when he’s being guarded by a 5’10" wheat sprout.

Good things: OMG WE ARE AWESOME!

I can’t do good stuff, I just know it was good. I’ll let the basketball guys elaborate on that. Oh, except for Dexter’s first five minutes or so – those were good.

…was at the game and said the Philly fans were absolutely hammered and trying to start stuff. I really, really, really, really hate that stuff. After what I suffered at Columbus for the Ohio State game, I’ve developed a lifelong grudge against their entire University. And, from what I’m hearing about tonight, that may now also extend to Villanova.

Anyways, I thought AJ was wonderful tonight. Picked his spots, stayed within his game, and nailed some crucial jumpers within the context of the offense.

It’s officially time to wonder what we’re going to do with the big men We’re rolling with Dex getting winded after 3-5 minutes, Connor regressing from last season, Chapman’s Jekyll/Hyde routine, Hill a complete non-factor, and Wangmene physically and mentally wounded.

I’m still wondering what J’Covan adds to this equation (the team, not the frontcourt), assuming he gets to play in the Spring…my goodness, it would be nice to add a dependable shooter/slasher who thrives in transition.

…I think tonight showed why the tough early-season scheduling paid off.

Villanova was clearly uncomfortable with our speed and quickness to the ball. With their creampuff schedule, I dont think they were ready to amp it up to another level. It just threw them for a loop, which probably wouldnt have happened had they been playing better competition.

The UCLA game involved some incredible athletes for both sides, the Notre Dame game put us up against an experienced and balanced team, both of which prepped us for tonight…furthermore, this non-conference schedule will have us completely ready to roll into the Conference season.

And if we can win the showdown in Houston against MSU, we’ll have three Top-20 non-conference victories on our resume…that will look very nice to the Selection Committee.

Nice article on the amazing job Barnes has been doing with recruiting since TJ.

Kansas State is lost without Michael Beasley. USC is struggling to find its way now that O.J. Mayo is gone. It’s taken Ohio State two years to regain its footing after losing Greg Oden. Even Memphis is searching for an identity without Derrick Rose.

No, not even college basketball is immune to recession.

Except in the state of Texas, where the Longhorns are the John Gotti Teflon kings of recession.

Kevin Durant comes, Kevin Durant goes; D.J. Augustin is here, D.J. Augustin is gone.

Texas lost the No. 1 pick in Durant and a year later went to the Elite Eight.

And this year, without a true point guard now that Augustin is trying to breathe life into the Charlotte Bobcats, Texas is 7-1. The Longhorns have played three top 25 teams and are one point away from perfection.

ESPN article

The good:

- First of all, Dante Cunningham…wow. Is this the same Dante Cunningham we saw running around like a chicken with its head cut off during the Lowry-Ray-Foye superteam? How is he not ranked higher than Atchley on the senior big board? He’s got the post moves and a solid, if not spectacular, defensive presence. And late in the second half, when he took James off the dribble to get the And 1, and Damion stood there in disbelief…that was sweet.
- AJ Abrams as a (in best Dickie V voice) a PTPer. We saw Stephen Curry almost shoot his team out of the game in the first half, then come roaring back at the end of the game to clinch it for Davidson. Well Abrams looked a bit ugly and out of sync in the first half, but he took over in the second, even showing a couple formative point guard skills. And oh yeah, Curry had 27 on 27 shots with a 10:8 A:TO ratio, Abrams went 26 on 18 with a 4:0. Nice.
- Damion James is an absolute man. But we knew that already.
- I was wrong…Mason is absolutely the point guard we need. Particularly in a game like this, when he knew his primary assignment was to bug the hell out of Scottie Reynolds. He knew he wasn’t a big part of the offensive gameplan, and saved his efforts on the defensive end. On offense, he looked to distribute, and made some DJ-esque passes.
- Gary Johnson off the bench. He plays like a wild beast at times, but he’s a great 6th man for this team. Imagine if we had that all last year.
- Perimeter D. Absolutely fantastic.
- Coaching, as always. Barnes went to his depth in the first half, and it really showed in the second. We had fresher legs and quicker hands. Man, I love Rick Barnes. Suck it, Simmons.
- Hustle points from Clint and Varez Ward.

The bad:

- Continued inability to get the ball in the post. We saw two quick Dexter Pittman dunks, and we should’ve been going there all night. Instead of Atchley shooting perimeter 3’s, he should’ve been down in the post with his sweet hook. Even getting Chapman a couple touches would’ve been nice. I saw this ALL GAME with Kentucky against Miami. The best player on the floor was by far Patrick Patterson, and he touched the ball in the post once about every 10 possessions. Unacceptable. Dickie V was saying that boxing out was a lost art in CBB; I prefer to go with the post entry pass.
- While we’re on that note, uhh, blocking out for defensive rebounds anyone? Rebounding totals for our big men: Gary 7 in 26 and Clint had 6 in 16 (well done), but our starters Dex had 1 rebound in 15 min and Atchley had NONE in 15. Ugh.
- Backup point guard handles. Balbay looks absolutely lost on offense. He and Ward combined for a 2:6 A:TO ratio. On the plus side, Balbay still looks great on D, and Ward hustled for some loose balls, especially that nice offensive board put-back, which was eerily reminiscent of a young Justin Mason.
- Pittman’s conditioning. This is year 3, man. If you want to play in the Association, you need to be on the floor for more than 5 minutes at a time.
- Atchley. Pretty much all year. Downright stupefying.

Overall, great game and solid win in what was practically a road game. In a big game environment over a solid top-25 team, we looked in control most of the game. Can’t ask for much more than that. Go Horns!

Anyone seen any news clippings on this?