This is an annual big basketball game for Texas at home. Ever since T.J. Ford brought this Texas program to prominence, the matchup between Texas and Oklahoma State has been regarded as the marquee matchup of the Big 12 whether it's in Austin, Stillwater, or in Big 12 tournament.

This is one of the most anticipated home game this season (I guess the only one that can top this is A&M) simply because what happened earlier this year in Stillwater when the Longhorns and the Cowboys went triple overtime. Freshman phenom Kevin Durant scored a bucket down low and drew a foul. He made the free throw to put Texas ahead by one point. Oklahoma State leading scorer Mario Boggan dribbled the ball down the left flank and fired a dagger three as time expired. OSU won 105-103 in a thriller, dubbed the best game of the season in college basketball even with half of the season to go. Well, I can assure you it was that good.

When the Cowboys come to town, the Horns will have last game deep in their mind. They opened the game strong and never looked back. Kevin Durant was once again the leading scorer with 21. But I felt like D.J. Augustin, who scored 19, was the main reason we were able to pull this off so easily. Other than scoring, D.J. was leading fast breaks and dishing the ball efficiently. The ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla, who did this game on the sideline, commented that D.J. could contend for player of the year if he stays two or three years. I don't know about contending for player of the year, but I do know that if D.J. Augustin continue to play the way he was playing tonight, he won't stay for another year, let alone contending for any individual awards.

The true player of the year contender, and possibly the leader, Kevin Durant had a quiet night. He didn't get his 10th point until the second half. Many of his points were scored when the game was already far out of reach. One big reason is that teams have already found ways to defend Durant. Iowa State did a phenomenal job last Saturday denying him the ball (he still got 17). OSU didn't let him work them easily down low. Most of his shots were turnaround fade away jumpers along the low post sideline. I would say that he is very good at creating contact while making a shot. This is the unstoppable move if he can master it.

The Longhorns played an outstanding game tonight. However, the excitement around this basketball team is nowhere close to when T.J. Ford was running the show. I could easily get into the lower level student section "the O-Zone" one and a half hour before tip off. With a player of Durant's caliber and a matchup with a team that beat us by a buzzer beater three last time in three overtimes, we need to show more love and fill the seats.

DERBY COUNTY RAMS
www.therams.co.uk
19W6D7L, 63pts, 1st in ELC
Drew Hull City 2:2 last weekend. Ended 8 game winning streak in all competitions. At Plymouth on Sat. for FA Cup R16.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
www.oregonlive.com/blazers
22-31, 13th in West Conf.
Road trip continues to Orlando (Wed.) Zach Randolph left off of All-Star team.

HOUSTON ASTROS
www.chron.com/sports/astros
Spring Training
Rotation to be determined: Roy Oswalt, Jason Jennings, Woody Williams, and two undetermined spots.

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