Gregg Popovich never seemed too enamoured about the teams overall record as long as they were positioned well for the post season.  That was as more about the rest of the his players than their record and seeding, that’s the only explanation for leaving Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli at home for a road trip to Utah a couple of weeks ago.  But even with his cautious handling of the “big three”, the Spurs are still the top seed in the Western conference after Monday’s 124-89 win over Portland in their final regular season home game.  Now the question is what do they do on their final two game road trip with a chance to claim the best record in the NBA, right now they are tied with Chicago.  If history means anything, the “big three” will get a heavy dose of bench for their games at Phoenix and Golden State.

The Spurs aren’t just winning, they are destroying their opponents.  In their current eight game win streak they are averaging 116 points per game and winning by an average margin of 16 points per game.

So how will that translate into the only thing that matters, their run for a 5th NBA title since 1999, we’ll find out over the next couple of months.

First off, this is all assuming Texas doesn’t win the Big 12 tournament. I still feel the Horns can make the NCAA tournament despite a 3-6 record in conference play and no real quality wins on the road unless UCLA at 12-9 gets it going to make UT’s December win in LA (not at Pauley Pavillion which is getting a face lift). Texas has to get 9 wins in conference and probably 10. That means the must wins begin Saturday with Tech at home and then probably at A&M next Monday. The margin of error is so small but they could probably absorb another home loss, to Baylor, but will have to get at least three road wins. Sounds like a long shot but considering they did lead late at Baylor Saturday and in their home loss to Kansas, not out of the question.

We take a hoops break for National Signing Day on Wednesday. Texas has 27 commits and are holding hope that WR Dorial Green-Beckham will shock the recruiting world and pick Texas over Missouri and Arkansas. Mack Brown said he would rather finish out of the running than 2nd when it comes to out of state recruits, this looks like one where he will finish in the dreaded 2nd spot. We’ll have plenty of co rage on KXAN news throughout the day, but with limited time and so much to get to, check out KXAN.com throughout the day.

Assuming Texas does not win their first ever Big 12 conference tournament in March, then they’re road to a 14th consecutive NCAA tournament bid will be as an at large team.  Depending on the  projection you pick, as of this week they were 10th seed by espn.com and not in the field by cbssports.com.   That is based on a lot of guess work, the fact is Texas probably has to get to 19 or 20 regular season wins to feel good about their chances.  That means going .500 in the Big 12′s new 18 game double round robin format.  Based on their last two games, both wins at home over Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, its going to be a grind just about every night out.  J’ Covan Brown is slowed by a nagging ankle injury that based on their schedule will have a hard time totally healing anytime soon unless Brown sits.  Not only is he their best scorer, but he is one of the best down the stretch trying to hold a lead.   That’s because of his ability to handle the ball, get to the foul line and most importantly, hit his free throws.  Against Texas A&M he was 2-12 from the field but 10-10 from the line.  After that they rely on all those freshman along with veteran big men Clint Chapman and Lexi Wangmene.  Right now Julien Lewis looks to be the best shooter and scorer among the freshmen, but all of them have stepped up and led the team in scoring in at least one game.

Horns heading into a brutal stretch with games at Missouri and at Kansas State before coming home to Kansas on January 21st.  Winning any one of those three would qualify as their best win of the season.

I had heard about John Outlaw long before I met him.

17 years ago while living in Denton, I’d heard about the coach at Sherman who helped the team who was second in the district to a Denison team that was a perennial State Championship team at the time; their biggest challenge of the year.  And rumor had it, the man behind the famous “indoor practice facility.” Sherman had it first, people. Even before Southlake Carroll. They call it the “Turf Barn.”

12 years later while living in Longview, I’d heard more about his legend while he was coach of the Lufkin Panthers, one of the biggest, baddest teams in the state. Home to Dez Bryant, Jovorskie Lane, Reggie McNeal, and athletes on every Big 12 roster.

This year I finally got to meet him, sideline reporting for his game against the Woodlands. In Lufkin at the Texas High School Football-famous “Abe Martin Stadium,” no less. It’s hard to explain football in East Texas until you are there. There’s a reason so many coaches in Texas recruit East Texas athletes. Not to take anything away from my home of North Texas or Austin, but it’s different. John Outlaw was a big reason why.

I envisioned this tough, somewhat sly man, because sometimes when you hear about a team you think of what a person leading would be like, before you actually meet the person. What I met was a wonderfully nice man in a sweater vest and tie, who smiled when he saw me each time, even before we spoke, during pregame warmups. On the cusp of his 300th win, a game that would decide the district championship, with some of the most intimidating athletes in high school football, he was kind. Calm.

That’s when I realized, they play for him. They are strong, fast, passionate and powerful about the game, but also respect their coach. He gave them a confidence. Just like he did in Texoma. The reputation of his teams isn’t just one of speed, strength and size, but confidence. And because he made you comfortable for being you, you became confident. Your best self.

It was a great game to watch. Just before the half his team drove down the field but missed a chance to get points on the board. I asked Outlaw how that would affect momentum going into the intermission. He told me that it was high school football. You’re not paying these kids. Stuff like this happens. Lufkin came out swinging in the second half and won 30-10.

Outlaw had done it. His 300th win achieved, and the district title in place, his kids soaked him with the Gatorade. We rushed over with fancy camera and microphone in hand, and I asked him how it felt. He got emotional in the interview. He was real. Appreciative. Happy. And honest with us enough to let himself go just a little. Before composing himself, of course.

This by the way, is why I do my job. To share a moment like that with someone and to show other people how rewarding something can be is why I do what I do. I had a pretty big smile on my face. After we were done, I walked away from “The Abe,” thankful for finally meeting the coach behind the Panthers and being a part of a historical game in his life.

I never imagined he’d pass away of a suspected heart attack just a couple months later. John Outlaw, dead far before he should ever be, at the age of 57.

So many athletes at so many levels of football owe so much to John Outlaw. He is a legend in East Texas and loved all over the state. Few times in your life does meeting someone become so pleasantly surprising, and I had that experience with him, as I’m sure so many other people did. John Outlaw is gone long before he should be, but his legacy lives on in the lives of so many people he touched.

Its been a while since my last post, in fact it was so long ago that I was writing about how the Pac 16 would put together a football schedule, thats right a long time.

It’s been an interesting year covering these Longhorns.  Sunday through Friday for KXAN and then on Saturday’s alongside Craig Way for the Longhorn Radio Network.  It was kind of a strange regular season.   You could argue it unfolded about exactly as everyone expected through 8 games.  Texas was 6-2 with losses to OU and OSU, but teams ranked in the top ten at the time.  The swing games came on the back end starting with the loss to Missouri and ending with the loss at Baylor and in between a the K-State game and A&M thriller.   Now its the bowl game, but doesn’t it really feel like the season is over.  The trip to Pasadena was special for one reason, the Rose Bowl.  If you have never been and have a chance, do it.  A spectacular setting even if the stadium was a quarter empty.

Now its back to Southern California for the Holiday Bowl.  We hear so much about the “bowl experience and how it should be preserved when the mention of a playoff comes up.  For the players, a trip to San Diego is a nice trip and they’ll come away with some nice gifts, but I’m not sure there’s much buzz about this game with fans as is the case with a lot of bowls.  Look at Baylor, they are rewarded for their amazing season with Heisman winner RGIII with a trip to San Antonio, dream come true?   Even the championship game is a rematch that figures to be a lot tougher on LSU than Alabama.  How can LSU do more than go into Tuscaloosa and beat the Crimson Tide on their home field, now they have to do it again.   What Alabama is trying to do is  not unprecedented, in 1996 Florida won its first national title by beating Florida State after losing to the Seminoles in the regular season.

Back to the booth.  What an experience it was moving into the analyst role.  The most challenging part is to make sure you’re watching a lot more than just a football.  Sounds easier said than done, but when is the last time you watched a game and didn’t watch the ball?  The chance to spend a few minutes with Co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin each week was invaluable.  Getting a feel for what the UT offense is trying to accomplish as well as his thoughts on opposing defenses is always interesting.  Amazing how a complicated game can be broken down into such simple terms.  His never ending theme was “taking care of the ball”  when Texas did it, they were pretty successful, when they didn’t OU and Baylor happened.   Same goes for defensive coordinator Manny Diaz who should be a hot name when head coaching openings, especially if Dan Mullen were to leave Mississippi State, where he could be a candidate at Penn State.

In the report card of how Longhorns in the NBA spent their lockout, check the box for “Spends Time Wisely.”

Kevin Durant:

1. Played Flag Football at Oklahoma State and didn’t get injured

2. Made various cameos at college basketball games across the country

3. Filmed Warner Brothers’ movie “Switch”

Tristan Thompson:

1. Took fall classes at UT

2. Hung out at UT basketball games and in the gym at Cooley to stay in shape

Royal Ivey:

1. Worked on finishing his degree in elementary education at UT

2. Was a student assistant coach on the Texas bench

Cory Joseph:  Traveled the world while playing for Team Canada

Avery Bradley: Played in the pro-am games and the Impact League in Las Vegas

So all in all, not a bad way to spend time for some of the Longhorns we know. And it explains why you may have seen them out and about in Austin. But that time has come to an end and it’s now time to get ready for some NBA. It’s great news for sports fans and even better news if you’re a Dallas Mavericks fan, because that banner can finally be raised. Bad news if you enjoyed seeing your favorite NBA players at your neighborhood coffee shop or at the grocery store, but it’s certainly been nice to see some familiar faces around town in the meantime.

The UIL Medical Board is approving schools seriously alter the way their football teams practice before the season starts. Per their release, here’s a list of their recommendations.

• On days when more than one practice is conducted, the rest and recovery time between the end of one practice and the beginning of the next practice will be increased to two hours. Current rules only require one hour of rest and recovery time between practices.
• With the exception of volleyball, schools shall not schedule more than one practice on consecutive days in sports which begin practice prior to the school year, and student-athletes shall not participate in multiple practices on consecutive days.
• During the four-day acclimatization period in football, if more than one practice is conducted on the same day, the second practice shall be a teaching period or walkthrough practice only with no conditioning, contact activities or equipment permitted.

These haven’t been approved yet, but it seems like there are more than a few high schools in Central Texas who would have to change the way they practice.

Everyone has their own pregame ritual. Walk thru any parking lot on the way tot the way to the stadium and you will run the gamete of everyone’s own idea of what makes a great pregame. The smell of brats, steaks with that special seasoning…martinis, margarita’s and beer…or iced tea…horse shoes, throwing the ball around….it’s just makes for a great time. My pregame ritual is simple….get into the stadium with the least amount of headaches and traffic even if it means getting to the game 3 hours early. Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you it is best I don’t deal with traffic.

Nothing compares to the traffic inside the tunnel at the Cotton Bowl. The players, band, Bevo and Boomer Sooner all make for a busy place where a lot of things you don’t realize happen — happen. It’s one of my favorite things, just to sit in the tunnel and watch the game before the game. This week the Freshmen played like Freshmen for the first time this year and having seen the Oklahoma tactics before the game, I can see why. All things being equal — isn’t as much fun as when Stoops and Co. try to intimidate the younger horns. It’s really fun to watch because both teams do it depending on the year and the mojo they have going. Guys like Blake Gideon aren’t affected but others have to be like wow.

First, Bob Stoops comes out early to the field and that’s not normal in most years but I feel like he was trying to win pregame this year as well. The Longhorns all came out to the field after arriving in two’s and three’s….just to walk around the field like they do for every game. The Sooners all came out together like a band of intimidators in full uniform without the shoulder pads and it looked like a remake of the movie 300. They were jumping around and I could just tell by the body language of the other players that they had taken note of the situation and were tip toeing back to the locker room. Stoops made more field appearances this year than in the past three years. The Sooners definately had a plan to intimidate the FReshmen and this year it worked. It’s the game before the game and it happens every year. You can count on the Oklahoma band to stop in front of the Texas locker room and play boomer sooner loudly and Texas does the same thing. the only one who gets everyone out of the way is Bevo. By the time the teams come out of the tunnel to start the game their has already been the pregame contest.

I’d just tell Oklahoma one thing — it might have worked this year but looking into David Ash’s eyes there in the fourth quarter — he will remember it all and next year the same tactics will not work and you can bet Bob Stoops won’t be on the field near as much next year. Next year maybe you might want to get there early like I do and watch the pregame for the game that is the infamous Cotton Bowl Tunnel.

Scheduling

If Texas is in fact headed to the Pac 16, then how do you schedule where it still feels like  a conference and not just a league?  

Forget the 2 eight team division idea. That amounts to two conferences.  In that format you would play 7 games against your division and then, what 2 games against teams from the other division?  That would mean you could go six  years without playing any one school from the opposite division.

So here’s my solution.  Four 4 team pods, not  ground breaking idea, but there’s more.  Let’s take Texas and say that this all this shakes out like it’s being reported, Texas would be with Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State.  Boom, three great rival/regional games every year.  To fill out the conference schedule, within those pods schools would be paired.  Texas/Texas Tech, OU/OSU in that pod.  The rest of the pairings are pretty obvious.   The Arizona schools with Colorado and Utah,  four California schools and the four Pacific Northwest schools, with pairings within those pods pretty geographically obvious as well.

So then all you do is schedule a game with one of the two schools from all 6 pairings outside your pod and then flip it the next year.  In this format you would play each team in the conference outside your pod every other year.  Schools would also host and play at every school outside their pod every four years.  So a recruit knows that if he stays for four years he’s going everywhere in e league at least once.
 
As for the championship  game, just take the two best records.  How many times have two teams from the Big 12 South been the two best teams but couldn’t meet in the title game?  In the event of a tie, there are plenty of ways to break that.

So here’s a potential Texas schedule in this format.

2012. 3 Non Conference games
@Tech
OU, keep it in Dallas
Oklahoma St.
@Arizona
Colorado
@USC
Stanford
Oregon
@Washington St.

2013
Tech
OU
@Oklahoma St
Arizona St.
@Utah
UCLA
@Cal
@Oregon St.
Washington

2014, flip the 2012 and in 2015, flip 2013 schedule.

I remember everything being the same walking down the tunnel at the Rose Bowl as the Longhorns were preparing to play their 2nd National Championship game on this Hollywood Stage against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The lights, splendor and it was like walking onto a Hollywood set. Roger Clemens and all of the usual former greats were there on the sidelines and then I stopped and realized something was different. Different than the Michigan game, the USC National Championship game…standing amongst the Vince Young’s and Selvin Young’s and Bo Scaife’s –was Chris Simms. I went up to him and he gave me a big hug and I told him how great it was to see him wearing burnt orange and he told me it was good to be back amongst the teammates he helped build a powerhouse program with. He said it was the first time he felt comfortable coming back to Texas. I’m sure he remembers the things that fans were saying and I’m sure if Greg Davis and Mack Brown were to visit about the whole situation, they’d tell you it was all wrong and so it really wasn’t Simm’s fault — blame it on the jail break screen. I haven’t seen Chris since that game.

Fast forward to last Saturday night and I get the feeling Texas fans are up to their old tricks. Garrett Gilbert ran off the field to an echo of boo’s –Coach Brown would later reference the boo’s and say they were for him and people can boo if they want since they paid for the ticket — only problem is, they weren’t booing Coach Brown, They were booing a great young man who lead his High School team to 2 consecutive State Titles and was a Gatorade All American. He didn’t deserve that and I could go all radical and state a case for how Texas fans sometimes don’t deserve the successful programs they have but I won’t because I know there are a ton of fans who support and realize that you don’t have to boo and hate Garrett to want to see a quarterback change. Heck, they should’ve let Case play more last year and David Ash is the real deal, but so can Garrett. Too bad you can’t take all of the fans who booed that night and visit them on their job site and see what kind of performer they are. Sure you paid for the ticket but are the same people who only boo at the politicians and never vote? I’ll bet Garrett is ready for a break from the pressure and naysayers. I wonder why they continue to call out routes for GG and not for Case? How does Jaxson all of a sudden get found with Case and not GG. I think ti’s just an interesting set of play calling. I think they all get a chance to play again and this team will need all three quarterbacks to be successful this year. I just hope the next time you see GG coming onto the field you can support him at least a little bit. Learn a lesson and stop hating which is bullying which is in my opinion unacceptable.

I mean you have to wonder what plan God has for GG going thru all of this and the criticism and booing and downright hateful things people have said. There’s got to be a plan for what will be something great for such a super person. The same can be said for Case and David. I think this intrigues me to see where this all winds up knowing what I know about how the pendulum swings…and having spent many a day with Augie Garrido….it will reveal itself at the most unexpected time and I hope that each of them are ready for whatever happens.

So I wonder a lot of things. Why highly touted Quarterbacks never seem to do well at Texas — Case and David weren’t all americans like Garrett and Chris — why does a school who is one of the winning-est programs in the history of college football always love the underdog QB. I see into the eyes of each quarterback because I’m shooting tight on them at the start of every play — I can tell you that all QB’s telegraph their plays and if they off look, they usually go opposite — even Harsin is becoming predictable in the first series of downs. There’s a reason they start off slow and it’s the predictability of it all. The reason everyone loves the back up quarterback is that if they come in and do well, all of the other players can say “see it wasn’t me” …when indeed it might very well have been.

I usually try to have scrambled eggs and jalapeno’s along with Bacon on game day. I wonder what this trip Saturday down the tunnel at the Rose Bowl for Texas’s game against UCLA will bring…will I see Chris Simms again — will it feel like that magical Hollywood set — will all of the other UT greats blanket the sidelines — or will I just look at number 7 and think — glad your still wearing the burnt orange.