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March 2008 Archives


I shoot, I score on Sweet 16 court!

10:29 AM Mon, Mar 31, 2008 |
Michelle Homer

By Matt Musil / 11 Sports

mattshootaround.jpg

I've covered many NCAA basketball tournament games during my career, but I was able to do something Sunday afternoon that was a first for me.

...



Memphis Wins South Region

3:39 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Matt Musil
Courtside at Reliant Stadium

Wow ...the Tigers were everything the Longhorns thought they might be....and more.

Chris Douglas-roberts led the way with 25 points .....Derrick Rose finished with 21.

A.J. Abrams led the 'Horns with 17 ....and D.J. Augustin had 16.

...



Memphis Just Too Much For Longhorns

3:30 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Matt Musil
Courtside at Reliant Stadium

I even wore my orange tie today ...which is undefeated when I've worn it to Dynamo games ......even the magic tie cuoildn't help the Longhorns. Memphis was just too quick ....too tall .....too talented .....and just plain and simple too good for the 'Horns.

...



It's All Over But The Shouting!!!

3:10 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgTexas put up a good fight ..... but the 'Horns are not going to pull this comeback off.

DJ Augustin just airballed a 3 pointer ... followed by another off-balance shot by the Longhorns ...and Memphis has the ball headed back the other way.

Memphis leads by 19 with less than 4 minutes left.

Timeout on the court ....with 3:55 left ...and Memphis leads ...



Texas In Trouble!!

3:08 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

Texas fans aren't doing their team any favors here this afternoon.

Their team trails by 16 points ....and during the last time out .....very few of them got up and stood for the TEXAS FIGHT cheer.

C'mon .....no wonder Texas fans are viewed as "fair weather" by so many.

There's media timeout ...and Memphis leads 59 to 43.

Texas began the half with a great spark offensively and defensively ....Memphis coach John Calapari was screaming at his players at the time ....but since then ...Memphis has "retaken the reins" of this game .....and it's going to be a real though thing ....



Texas Trying to Hang!!

2:44 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Matt Musil
Courtside at Reliant Stadium

Texas came out and immediately score the first 3 baskets of the 2nd half .... To draw within 5 points of Memphis ....but then the Tigers righted the ship...and now they've extended that lead out to 50-38 with 12:53 to go in regulation.

...



Celebs in sight

2:34 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Michelle Homer
Courtside at Reliant Stadium

Among the Texas fans hoping for a second half comeback... former President George Bush. "41" was spotted posing with the TV cameras with the Texas cheerleaders. He's a familiar face at many Houston sports events.


...



I'll drink to that. Oh no you won't!

2:32 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Michelle Homer
Courtside at Reliant Stadium

The winning fans won't be able to toast their favorite team today and there will be no crying in their beer for the losing side. At least not here.

...



Halftime Lead Goes To Memphis

2:21 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Matt Musil
Courtside at Reliant Stadium

At intermission ...the Tigers are in front 39 to 28 ...but I thought Texas put on a good surge at the end of the first half ....letting the Tigers know they weren't just going to run away with this thing. It'll be interesting to see how Memphis adjusts to the Longhorns latest strategy.

...



Texas Trying To Battle Back

2:11 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpg By Matt Musil
Courtside at Reliant Stadium

But it's tough sledding at present.

With 1:26 left in the first half .... Memphis leads 39 to 24 ...and again they've been nearly flawless in the first half of action ...just as they were Friday night versus Michigan State.

The difference is Texas is better than the Spartan...



Memphis Flexing Muscle

1:54 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Matt Musil
Courtside at Reliant Stadium


Timeout on the court .... 7:40 to go in the first half ...and Memphis leads 29 to 13.

The Tigers have their foot on the gas ....and they are not about to let up.

It's interesting that Texas usually likes to get out and push the ball upcourt .....but the Tigers are so quick and ha...



Battle Of The Beasts

1:45 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Matt Musil
Courtside at Reliant Stadium

You want beef?

You got it in this matchup inside early in the game.

Texas has big Dexter Pittman ... who's listed at 299 ...down about 50 pounds from where he used to be...and Memphis counters with 310 pound Pierre Niles. These guys can not only put away the groceries at the training t...



Tigers Continue To Push Pace!!

1:43 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Matt Musil
Courtside at Reliant Stadium

Memphis continues to push the ball upcourt ....while Texas has gone more halfcourt.

With timeout on the court .... 11:56 left in the first half .....Memphis leads 20 to 13. Derrick Rose is leading Memphis along with Chris Douglas Roberts with 8 points apiece. Justin Mason leads the 'Horns wi...



Fast And Furious!!

1:30 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Matt Musil
Courtside at Reliant Stadium

The pace is just as furious as expected early on ......with Memphis holding the slight edge. At the first media time out of the game .....memphis leads 13 to 8 with 15:49 left in the first half.

...



Where's the smack talk?

1:24 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgPosted by Michelle Homer / Courtside Reliant Stadium

An impressive number of true blue Memphis fans traveled to Houston this weekend to cheer on their beloved Tigers. There are splashes of blue throughout the sea of burnt orange in the stands.

They may be outnumbered, but they are loud!

The pregame atmosphere outside Reliant was one o...



Who has the edge?

1:22 PM Sun, Mar 30, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

Historically speaking ...it's a toss up between Texas and Memphis in NCAA basketball games played. Memphis has never lost a tournament game in Houston .....the Tigers are 5 & 0 ...but even more impressive .....Texas is 7-0 since 1990 within the state borders. That's right they have now lost an NCAA tourname...



Memphis Coach John Calapari Was Right!!

11:19 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg
His team's poor free throw shooting ...wasn't a factor.

Of course ...that's what happens when your team wins so handily.

Led by Derrick Rose's 27 points ... Memphis wins over Michigan State 92 to 74.

Again it'll be Texas versus Memphis for the South Regional title at 1:30pm on S...



It Will Be An Early Game Here Sunday

11:15 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

It Will Be An Early Game Here Sunday

NCAA officials just announced the Texas vs Memphis game will start at 1:30pm on Sunday.

So the 'Horns will play the Tigers in the early game ..with the South Regional title on the line.

...



Magic Johnson Has Given Up The Fight For This One

11:09 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg
One of the greatest competitors ever ... Magic Johnson ...was here tonight watching his beloved Spartans take on Memphis ..... but there was no magic to be found for his team in this one. Magic just walked by me two minutes ago with his entourage and he was headed out of the stadium to beat the crowd. P...



Tigers Still Holding Them Off!!

10:55 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

Led by DerrickRose's 20 points ... the Tigers still hold the upperhand.
NCAAlogo.jpg
Izzo's Spartans are still gamely in the fight ....but they just allowed too much to happen for Memphis in the first half.

Michigan State's rally now has cut the lead to 15 points ...but only 5:16 remains in regulation...



Spartans Fighting Back!!

10:54 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

Midway through the 2nd half ... Michigan State is trying to make a game of it.
NCAAlogo.jpg


The Spartans trailed by 30 earlier ....but with 9:17 left in the 2nd half ... they've cut the lead to 17.

Sure ....Memphis should win this game ...... but you have to give coach Tom Izzo and his guys for ...



It'll Be Texas Versus Memphis In the Region Final!!

10:20 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

Memphis is being led by Derrick Rose ..who has 16 points.
NCAAlogo.jpg
I'm going to have to leave for a few minutes while I do a live report for KVUE in Austin ...but then I'll return.

Right now though ...it continues to be all Memphis ...as the Tigers lead 58 to 27 with 17:20 left in the game.Michigan S...



It's all Memphis After One Half

9:55 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg
Memphis leads 50 to 20 at intermission.

Derrick Rose leads the Tigers in scoring at this point with 12 .. but the athletic Chris Douglas-Roberts also has 8 points.

...



Wow ...Tigers Are Roaring!!

9:45 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

When Memphis' Joey Dorsey scored a thunderous dunk after a defensive steal ....the crowd was ooh and awing here at Reliant!!

Wow ... the overall talent continues to be the different in this game ....and with 3:45 left in the first half ....Memphis is up 41 to 20. It just as well be 3:45 left in the 2n...



Spartans Need Help Quickly

9:43 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

NCAAlogo.jpgBy Michelle Homer
From Reliant Stadium

Michigan State trails 31 to 18 with 7:32 left in the 1st half.

Now ...of course ...there's plenty of time left in this game .....but if Tom Izzo's bunch doesn't figure something out quickly this game is over.

Clearly Memphis has the better athletes ..... but Michigan State has to be tougher d...



Memphis Tigers Tough Early

9:24 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Michelle Homer
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg

As expected top-seeded Memphis holds the early advantage against Michigan State ... but the Spartans are hanging tough.

It's a total contrast in styles .... As the Spartans are trying to play a half court game ....while Memphis is constantly trying to push the tempo.

...



Celebrity sightings courtside

9:14 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Michelle Homer
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg
The Michigan State Spartans have a couple of high-profile fans cheering them on in the stands at Reliant.

...



Texas wins big

8:38 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg

The official stats aren't out yet ...but I had D.J. Augustin with 22 points to lead the Longhorns.

Brook Lopez led Stanford with 37 ...but the all around game of the 'Horns was just too much for the Cardinal.

...



Atchley Gives Longhorns Big Lead

8:23 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg

I think it's over. With Clear Lake's Connor Atchley knocking down a 3 pointer with 2:07 left ... the 'Horns go up 75 to 56 and at this point ....it's basically over. You can see it on the faces of the Stanford players. They put up a great fight ....but Texas just had too much overall talent.
>> Continue reading: Atchley Gives Longhorns Big Lead



Horns Putting This One Away

8:22 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

With D.J. Augustin hitting yet another tough layup inside ...this time off the break after a steal ....Augustin now has 22 points and Texas leads 72-54 with 3:30 left.

...



Horns Finally Get Inside Game Going

8:20 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg

Damion James pushed the Texas lead to 67 to 53 with a power slam in traffic.

Texas currently leads with 16 points with less than 5 minutes left.

D.J. Augustin just brought the house down with a great inside move and score on the reverse layup.

Augustin has been the spark all...



LONGHORNS CONTINUE TO PUT PRESSURE ON

8:09 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg

With guards D.J. Augustine and A.J. Abrams leading the way ...the 'Horns have stretched their lead out to 63 to 53 with 7:58 left in the game. Also ....the big guy from Rosenberg-Terry ... Dexter Pittman powered up a follow shot for two points ....and the 'Horns have the Cardinal on the ropes. ...



Loud House!

8:04 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Jeremy Desel
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg

7:56- Reliant Stadium

Anyone who wondered if the stadium transformed into a basketball arena would seem too big. At least judging by the sound of things was wrong.

...



LONGHORNS RE-ASSERT THEMSELVES ...MIDWAY THROUGH 2ND HALF

8:02 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg
DJ Augustine ... has just given the 'Horns abit of breathing room .... with 10:38 left in the 2nd half. He picked up the loose ball and took it in for the score ..... he now leads the 'Horns with 16 points and Texas leads in this Region semi-final 58 to 51.

The Horns have finally found a sp...



LONHORNS UP ....BUT JUST BARELY

7:54 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg
The tempo of the 2nd half has picked up ...especially at the Stanford end.
The inside offensive muscle continues to be provided by Stanford's Brook Lopez ...... but defensivelu the Cardinal have really picked things up also.

...



A dancing tree?

7:48 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Jeremy Desel
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg
7:48pm- Reliant Stadium-
Absolutely the moment of the night...the quizical looks on the Longhorn Cheerleaders faces as they watch the Stanford dancers and mascot at center court.

...



Full House!

7:46 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Jeremy Desel
From Reliant Stadium

7:34Pm Reliant Stadium

Reliant stadium officials didn't even expect to open the five and six hundred levels of the building this weekend. Good thing they changed their minds.

...



Longhorns hold early edge

7:16 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg
With the Texas offense getting abit stagnant ......Hightower HS ex ....D.J. Augustin has helped spark the Longhorns.

D.J.'s 3 pointer gave the 'Horns a 15 to 8 advantage .....and then with 8:35 left in the first half .... His fadeaway jumper in traffic ....put the 'Horns up 20 to 14.

Insi...



Horns off to quick start

6:44 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
TJ Aulds

By Matt Musil
From Reliant Stadium

NCAAlogo.jpg
With a reported crowd of 34,000 looking on the Texans Longhorns took the early edge in this Region semi-final.

...



The calm before the storm at Reliant

3:59 PM Fri, Mar 28, 2008 |
Michelle Homer

NCAAlogo.jpg


Posted by Leigh Frillici from Reliant Center

The UT fans aren't here yet, no legions of orange t-shirts, painted faces or Longhorn caps. Not yet.

There's just a quiet hum of trucks, golf carts and cars moving around Reliant as people work to get this venue ready for the Big Dance tonight.

...



Clear Lake native will have hometown support when Horns play in Houston

1:46 PM Thu, Mar 27, 2008 |
Michelle Homer

Connor Atchley has surprised some with his overall game this year.

He's averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds a game for the Longhorns against some of the toughest teams in the nation.

...



How sweet it is: Texas beats Miami, heads to Houston for Sweet 16

1:39 PM Thu, Mar 27, 2008 |
Michelle Homer

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- With a 17-point lead unbelievably cut to three, Texas needed somebody--anybody--to make a couple free throws.

A.J. Abrams was ready--as he had been all day.

...



Rodeo rolls out, March Madness moves into Reliant

1:36 PM Thu, Mar 27, 2008 |
Michelle Homer

HOUSTON -- Just as Brooks and Dunn closed the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at Reliant Stadium, the workers started rolling in.

...



Let Billy Crystal Have His Fun!!

11:21 AM Tue, Mar 11, 2008 |
Matt Musil

When I hear the so-called "baseball purists" complaining that the Yankees are making a mockery of the game because they're allowing 60 year old Billy Crystal to play in an exhibition game ...I have to roll my eyes. What really made a mockery out of the great game of baseball was MLB's refusal to address the steroids problem when it should have.

Letting Crystal play in an exhibition game is no big deal. It actually shows that siomeone involved with the sport can have a little fun. Several years ago country western singer, Garth Brooks, played some minor league ball ....and got something like 3 hits in 40+...



Astros Roster Moves

9:52 AM Mon, Mar 10, 2008 |
Matt Musil

The Astros sent 9 players Monday morning to their minor league camp. $ players were sent down specifically to Triple-A Roound Rock .... right- handed pitchers Fernando Nieve, Paul Estrada and Chad Reineke ....and outfielder Yordany Ramirez. Right-handed pitchers Sammy Gervacio and Brad James were optioned to Double-A Corpus Christi. Also infielders Tommy Manzella and Lance Niekro were sent down to the minor league camp ... along with pitcher Josh Mueke. After those roster moves .... there are 44 players in the Astros Major League camp.

...



Congratulations coach Roubique and the Lady Bobcats

5:11 PM Thu, Mar 06, 2008 |
Butch Alsandor

I'd like to say I'm suprised at how easily Cy Fair captured the girls 5-A State Title,
but I'm not . They completely dominated DeSoto from the opening tip to final buzzer .
The 50-to 33 final score was actually closer than the game ever was. These young ladies were on a mission after losing in the championship game last season, and so was their coach.

Coach Ann Roubique and I went to McNeese State at the same time. I won't say how long ago it was because I would look pretty silly doing the sports at KHOU without any teeth. But what I can say is she was a fantastic athletic . Ann was the ...



Rafer proving Adelman right, critics wrong.

5:06 PM Thu, Mar 06, 2008 |
Butch Alsandor

If this were a political debate it might go something like this ,
I served with Rafer Alston, I knew Rafer Alston, Rafer Alston was a friend of mine.
Mike James and Steve Francis, you're no Rafer Alston.
James is in the "Big Easy" now eating crawfish, Stevie Franchise is injuried, while Alston is helping the Rockets to their longest winning streak in franchise history.

After spending more than half the year telling my weekend producer that Rafer would
be alright, he just needed some time. Finally,some vindication has come my way.

As the Rockets extended their winning...