Longhorns Embarrass Pokes in the Drum

Gentlemen, the sad truth is I have very little to say.

I've thought about it, replayed the foul events of this past Monday night, and all I can come up with is: The second half of "basketball" played by the Oklahoma State University Cowboys was embarrassing, an insult to the game itself.

Consider this: At halftime, the Pokes trailed by only 7 points, despite shooting a woeful 32% from the field. The Cowboy defense had held UT freshman-extraordinaire Kevin Durant to 5 points, I believe. With 20 minutes of playing time left, it was anyone's game.

Then came the second half. OSU turned the ball over on four straight possessions after cutting the Longhorns' lead to 4. UT scored off of each Cowboy turnover. Game over.

There is nothing more to discuss. UT is getting better as the season goes on. OSU is not. The Cowboys now sport a mediocre 5-5 conference record, with blowout losses to KU, A&M, and now UT. Granted, all the losses have come on the road. But a team needs road wins on its tourney résumé, and as of now, OSU is lacking a quality road win.

The same goes for UT, but I see more upside for this team. They are young but apparently learning, gaining much from the sure-handed teaching of Rick Barnes. Meanwhile, Sean Sutton has his hands full with his OSU squad and faces his first real challenge as a head coach in putting a stop to the midseason skid. There is time to right the ship, but not much.

The second half has already started, and the Pokes are deep in the hole.

All was not bleak and sorrowful on Monday night, however. There was a halftime spectacular, featuring multiple persons trying to hit layups, free throws, 3 pointers, and yes, even half-court shots to win fabulous prizes. The good people at the Erwin Center went far beyond the call of duty in their efforts to provide top-notch halftime entertainment by bringing out an actual La-Z-Boy for a "La-Z-Boy Three-Point Shot." A lucky contestant got to sit in the plush leather recliner, stretch out into full recline, and throw up a 3-point attempt. If he hit it, he'd get to keep the La-Z-Boy, a fantastic prize.

He missed.

If he'd hit it, I'd have found a way to get him in the Oklahoma State lineup. The Pokes could have used an extra marksman on this foul evening.

As it stood, the Cowboys were exposed for what they are: a team that folds in a hostile environment. The Longhorns sent the Pokes home hanging their heads in shame, faced with the looming possibility that the season is headed for doom.