Save the tape of Horns and Cowboys

A game tape to be saved for years to come, just for the talent on the floor for both teams.

Texas' high-powered offense finally met a quality Big-12 team in Oklahoma State and try as they might to run the Cowboys out of the state, the Pokes held on in one of the best action thrillers of the fall.

In a contest great for marketing the conference, the no. 11 Cowboys outlasted the no. 21 Longhorns, 105-103, in triple overtime, down Stillwater way.

Who knows what the Big 12 will do come postseason as it is chock full of young players and young teams, and little defense but the talent level, the coaching, might is amongst the best in the country.

Kevin Durant is an All American already, even if the votes haven't come in, as he poured in another 37 points and snagged 12 rebounds for UT but OSU made him work for them, something other teams have failed to do as Durant took 31 shots on the night. The guards did the rest of the work for the Longhorns with freshman point D.J. Augustin scoring 19, freshman Justin Mason going for 18 and sophomore A. J. Abrams finishing with 13.

Augustin came close to a triple double with seven rebounds and nine assists. Said it before and will say it again, he is a future All American if he gets any talent to play with next season.

UT can score the ball, the college game's version of the Phoenix Suns.

They just couldn't play enough defense.

They will continue to be a load for any opponent but their youth, lack of toughness and weak defense will eventually doom them, early in the postseason.

Cowboys' forward Mario Boggan, a star in his own right, overwhelmed the Horns with 37 points and 20 rebounds in a monster game that will be legend, with him saving the night like Superman with the game-winning 3-pointer with 3.2 seconds remaining.


Boggan didn't do it all himself, it only seemed that way. Future fellow-first-round pick JamesOn Curry dropped 28 more (with nine rebounds) on Texas. Sophomore Terrell Harris, that third scorer this team needs, did his job and finished with 16 on the evening.

OSU shot the ball well (48 percent) but the Horns scored 103 while shooting just over 40 percent.

BGT: Both teams are dangerous and are going to be near the top of the conference come the end of the season. The Pokes' defense isn't strong enough either to be a postseason factor, as Kansas and Texas have proved. Exciting basketball, recruit-winning style but not geared for NCAA- Tournament success.

Rick Barnes may never have more talent on a team. He just won't win a championship with it.

That said, the players on these two teams are wonderful talents, a rare collection, and if you like offense, that was one of the very best. This is a conference where more top players are going to want to play.

Colorado just has to get their share.

And learn to play some defense.

Send your comments on the game to thebgtruth@yahoo.com.