2009 NCAA Team, 2010 NIT Team

There's no doubt that the first half (2009) of the season featured such spectacular wins that not only were the Longhorns destined for the NCAA tourney, a #1 seed seemed predetermined.  But since the second half (2010) screams of a team that would be happy ecstatic to get a bid to the NIT tournament.  I mean, really, what have the Longhorns done THIS year to warrant a bid to the NCAA's?

Now, to be sure, barring a complete and total collapse the Horns will go to the NCAA's in March.  They just have to limp in with a .500 conference record with such a strong non-con lead in.  But that kind of team is one, maybe two and done.  But there's no way on God's green earth that a single BON poster can say that Texas would deserve a NCAA bid based on 2010's performance, even with the burntest of orange glasses on.

Tonight is truly gut check time.  What does this squad have inside?  Will the coaches and players be able to recapture the winning attitude and team play to get back on track and become the kind of team we all thought they were in 2009?  Or will they lose (and any loss is a loss - no moral victory will suffice at this time) and be yet another underachieving squad that we all hope will learn valuable lessons for next season as they play out the string the rest of the season in anticipation of a first or second-round loss?

We'll all see.  Tonight's game will leave no doubt as to what the remainder of the season holds, it's about as crystal clear what it means as any game ever in history of the program!  I'm hoping, more like praying for the big win, but if I had to put my money on it I'd lay it on KU.  And that sucks to even type that, but it's what comes when able to separate the heart from the head.