They say everything’s bigger in Texas. This holiday season, it’s true.
Being a Texas Longhorns sports fan could not be any sweeter. On Saturday, the #2 ranked volleyball team closed a tremendous season with a heartbreaking five-set loss to undefeated and three-time defending champion Penn State. Despite the loss, the ‘Horns finished 29-2 on the season.
For most schools, a runner-up finish in volleyball would be the highlight of the athletic year. But Texas isn’t most schools. The football team is also playing for the national championship. This ‘Horns team is also underdogs against a very good Alabama team, but don’t count them out just yet. No one gave them a chance in 2005 before they shocked the world by beating USC to win the national championship. The Trojans haven’t been back to the big game since. And before I forget, it’s worth mentioning that this team has a player (Colt McCoy) who has finished in the top three in Heisman voting two straight years, and another player (Jordan Shipley) who just might be the best all-purpose player in the country.
Playing in the national championship in football is pretty cool. But even if the ‘Horns drop the highly anticipated contest, they can fall back on their men’s basketball team, which also ranked…you guessed it…number two. Until this week, the team hadn’t played anyone who will come within an earshot of making the NCAA tournament, but two double-digit victories against the two teams who played in the national championship game just nine months earlier has me convinced. So what if they’ve only played two games outside the state. This is the deepest team in the nation, and as long as they stay healthy, I think they can win a title in this sport too. They don’t even need to win their own conference to earn a number one seed come March.
Speaking of March, that’s about the time when preseason baseball rankings will be released. Expect the Longhorns to start number one in most polls. In the meantime, look for the women’s basketball team to make a sweet sixteen run. The lady Horns of the hardwood are ranked #17 nationally. Are you a fan of swimming? If so, check out the men’s swimming and diving team, currently ranked number one in the nation, or the women’s swimming and diving team, ranked number four.
Before this year is over, the Longhorn athletic department is going to have a lot of banners to hang, and possibly some trophies to polish.
Everything is bigger at Texas. At least this year.
Tell me what you think about Illinois State basketball. Impressive win last night – you must admit. Bench is thin, but definitely in the top 64 – don’t you think?
Obviously I love you for posting this. Don’t forget men’s tennis, which should be top 3.
Ah, men’s tennis…I totally missed that. Sorry Blake.
It seems like UT has always been near the top in all sports — see swimming, gold, tennis, soccer, baseball, basketball, football, etc. Maybe the most broadly consistently successful NCAA Div. 1 sports program in the last 20/30 years, maybe more. Jared, maybe an intern could go run the numbers and come up with an answer. Anyhow, good blog. Hook ‘em.
let’s take a poll Texas fans:
What will be the result of the Texas-Alabama match-up, will the SEC be shown the dominant conference once again?Alabama will win by a blow-outTexas will win by a blow-outAlabama will win but it will be closeTexas will win but it will be closeView ResultsCreate a Poll
I like Alabama in a close game. Texas’ defense will keep them in it, but they won’t be able to score on the ‘Tide
Dave, as far as Illinois State basketball goes, it’s all about scheduling. For the second straight year, the Redbirds don’t play any BCS conference teams. Whether ISU should make the tournament or not doesn’t matter to the selection committee at the end of the year because they’ll look at the schedule and see nothing but garbage games. The Redbirds are ranked #92 in the Sagarin ratings, haven’t played a team in the top 50 all season and have the #307 strength of schedule in the country. The only way I see them getting in is by winning the Missouri Valley conference tournament, which they can do after playing well against the Valley’s two best teams this week.
Jaryd
Take another look at your stats. I think Wichita State and Missouri State both have RPI’s way less than 50 in the nation. But, more importantly, take a broader view at the Valley this year. This conference is worthy of sending 3 or 4 to the NCAA this year and probably 3 more to the NIT.
Dave
Dave,
The RPI is not a good indicator of teams’ rankings this early in the season because of the lopsided nonconference schedules. Right now, a bunch of non-power conference teams are going to lead the list because they know they have to schedule tough games to make up for a weak conference schedule. Meanwhile, the Kansas and Kentuckys will be lower in RPI because they don’t schedule as many tough teams out of conference knowing their conference schedules will be more difficult. A good time to look at RPI is in mid-February…that’s about when the schedules start to balance out.
To prove my point, Wichita State is currently ranked #87 in the RPI, while Indiana State is #62. Do you really think Indiana State is 25 places better than Wichita State. William and Mary is currently #4 in the RPI…but they would probably lose to every Valley team. Point is, the RPI can only be looked at later in the season.
The Valley is the ninth best conference in terms of winning percentage, which is pretty good. But take a deeper look…only one team is currently ranked in Sagarin’s top 60 (Northern Iowa) and only one team has a strength o schedule in the top 100 (Indiana State). If everyone beats each other up like it has been so far in conference play, then the conference will likely only get one bid for the third straight year.
Well, perhaps you are right, but if I were a betting person, my guess is 3 will make the big dance this year and 2-3 more in the NIT. Illinois State also just came off another huge victory last night against Southern Illinois and should have won the Witchita game!