Game Thread: Iowa State at Texas

Iowa State Cyclones at Texas Longhorns

Tuesday, February 13th | 7:00 pm CT

Television: Big 12 Network (Affiliates)

It almost feels like a whole new season is starting tonight, and in a way it is, except that unlike the start to the season in November, this one's a lot shorter and -- with a 10-13, 2-8 record hanging around its neck -- has absolutely no margin for error.

With just 8 games left, if Texas were to go 8-0, it would finish the regular season 18-13 overall, 10-8 in Big 12 play, and one of the hottest teams in the country after picking up quality wins versus Iowa State, at Kansas, versus Kansas State, at Oklahoma State, versus Oklahoma, and versus Baylor. The odds of Texas winning each of its next 8 games are roughly 1 in 10,500, but if they win tonight, those odds improve to 1 in 1,000 that they win their next 7. And should they follow that with a win at Kansas, suddenly their odds of closing out the next 6 jump to 1 in 50.

Okay, yeah... it ain't happening. But for tonight, at least, there's some hope in the air. A reason to be excited -- a chance to start writing a different storyline for the 2012-13 season.

I just hope it lasts longer than one game. Welcome back, Myck Kabongo. Take out your frustrations on Iowa State -- let's win and win big.

Hook 'em!