When historians look back upon this, should Texas pull off the improbable and rally from their recent losing streak to win their second consecutive NIT (something only two teams have done, lest you forget), they will likely note that the turnaround really started here in Austin on Wednesday night, when Will Baker torched a disintegrating TCU. That Manhattan to Manhattan headline was just too hard to pass up, with the Longhorns playing at K-State tomorrow and all.
It’s a big game. A road test against the last-place team in the Big 12. An opportunity to build some momentum heading into a tough rest of the season. A chance for Texas to scrap its way into maybe even a tie for fifth in the league.
But more than that, it’s looking like a last stand. Because the John Beilein rumors are swirling. Because Jericho Sims is out for the rest of the regular season. Because Jase Febres and Matt Coleman and Gerald Liddell all don’t look like they’re coming back that soon either. Because our hero, Shaka Smart (who was very nice to me one time in New York, in case you missed that important context in light of which my life starts to make a lot more sense), has his back against the wall, most likely needing to go on a little run to get one more chance next year (NIT three-peat?!) with a lot of talent returning.
In the face of tremendous obstacles, it’s time for Texas to take its sputtering show on the road, trying desperately to grapple up enough victories to find their way into college basketball’s premier postseason tournament.
The day is here.
The goal is clear.
No time for fear.
The NIT’s near.
