Turnaround

Perhaps I had given up both basketball squads for dead too soon.

After their home collapse against Texas and a just-not-enough-of-anything loss in Norman, I wasn't surprised by the ineptitude displayed in the first half against Nebraska. More of the same, I thought. Hopefully Lucca and the other new faces next fall will make a difference and Mac won't feel his seat getting warm.

Then came the unexplainable, impossible, thrilling second half. Wow.

The men could easily lose all five of their remaining games and make us look stupid for having hope. But with what we'll call Second Half Effort, they could win 2 and with breaks 3 of their last 5, finish 7-9, and avoid having to play in that 8/9 game that leads to a crushing by KU the next day. Climbing all the way up to 6 or 7 might be too much to ask for this bunch, but it would give a shot at 2 wins in KC instead of one/none. Since they probably can't catch OU for sixth, and lose the tiebreaker anyway, seventh is the goal. Seventh will require at least two wins and some help, like Tech and Mizzou losing early and often. But its good to have a goal.

When Fennely's squad lost their two best inside players I thought NIT. After their upset in Stillwater today, they have a solid shot at finishing 8-8, which should lock them for the NCAAs if nothing else. With a seven seed, they have a puncher's chance of scrambling through the bracket in KC. Wouldn't that be fun to see, againi.

There might still be some fun left in our winter.

Peterclone