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TU Thoughts: Football and Basketball
Published: 1/2/2013 4:26 PM
Last Modified: 1/2/2013 4:28 PM

TU's football team just beat a school that wound up with a losing record, in a bowl game in which it was a solid favorite to win.

TU is supposed to defeat .500 teams when it is favored.

Yet going by some local reactions, you would have thought TU did something really special.

Here's the thing: Actions speak louder than cheerleading. It's like the NFL, in that if you can play the game, they'll find you in Swamp Bucket, La. If a football defeats some quality opponents, recognition will follow.

When you try to oversell the value of defeating a .500 team, people might think you're trying too hard.

TU had a good year, not a great year. It thrashed an average team in a bowl game. The staff and team reflect well on the city.

What's wrong with that?

Cheerleading won't make TU's team any better, or any more important nationally.

Now, as for the basketball team: According to a story in this newspaper, an unusually hard practice floor could be responsible for leg injuries. This floor has been there for some while. The AD in residence says there is a chance the floor could be dug up and replaced at the end of the year with something bouncier.

No comment.

See what we can do when we set our mind to it?








Reader Comments 10 Total
foulshot (last month)
Mr. Picker,

I understand that TU is not going to battle Alabama for the national title any time soon, but after the bowl games 35 other bowl teams and the rest that did not make a bowl, wish they had won a post season game. I think that makes TU in the top 30 in the country. Not bad for where the program was from 1993-2002. It will take a couple of more seasons to get the basketball program in the right direction.
Don't complain about TU sports, be glad they give you something to do that gets you paid!
unionfatcat (last month)
What a kill joy! I wouldnt be surprised, if you werent actually awaiting the place horse for the exacta, when Secretariat hit the wire in record time! wasnt too long ago, when TU football was Peougheeeww! Im glad we have something to cheer about now, as for BBall, maybe with time, they;l be back?
skipb50 (last month)
great season tu!
241362 (last month)
Iowa State finished 6-7.
Every bowl winner is a highly rated team?
TU could beat how many of the bowl losers, one fourth?
Chelsea Lee (last month)
Spot on, as usual Mr. Picker. One might have thought from the coverage in the World that TU won a BCS bowl or a national championship. TU is what it is and that is a very good team that maximizes its potential and usually wins the games it should. Nothing wrong with that.
jimmyd (last month)
My my Mr. Pick. "a solid favorite to win" ? Florida, Florida St., OSU were solid favorites. TU at a pickum (opening line) hardly qualifies, and even at a -2 closing number. You mayhap need to revisit Vegas a little more often.
Da5id (last month)
Let's see ...

The Picker mocks teams that rely on the pass and can't run the ball on 3rd and 1.

The smallest football school wins by relentlessly running the ball into and through the heart of the defense.

And yet, the Picker mocks the result.

I say, Go TU! Well done.
                    
Soonertrain (last month)
Pick... I have to agree with Da5 here. What other team did ISU play that ran for 320 yards on them? I predict TU will end up ranked in the top 25 in one of the polls. 25th anyway.
241362 (last month)
Will Geraldo Rivera lead the dig beneath the TU practice floor?
amron warrior (last month)
A few years ago the Rice basketball players were having the same problem. After a new floor in the arena was installed, I haven't heard of Rice players having any more leg and ankle problems.
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Out Pick The Picker

The Picker began entertaining – and infuriating – sports fans in 1993. Each week during football season, he writes about his picks of college and NFL games in his Thursday Sports column. He's never afraid of sharing his opinions about the game and the personalities who play it. Readers have a chance to go against him each season in the Outpick the Picker contest. He welcomes the competition.

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