And think about non-SEC basketball in our area.
Houston - Kelvin Sampson made huge strides this year. Have to figure UH will be an NCAA contender going forward.
Baylor - Somehow they keep pulling in talent and have good teams year after year.
TCU - Jamie Dixon turned that program around his first year. High ceiling for the Frogs.
SMU - Actually better after Larry Brown left...tough Round 1 upset, but the Ponies were really good this year.
Texas - TBD on Coach Smart, but I don't think he'll be down for long. And if he is, you know the Horns will can his ass and go hire a proven winner to take his place. Same with Lon Krueger at Oklahoma.
tech - They weren't terrible this year - they're just not cut out for the Big 12 hoops grind - but they were certainly better than we were.
Heck, even UT-Arlington, Texas State and A&M-Corpus weren't terrible this year.
I think A&M is at a real tipping point. Anything past '17-'18 with Kennedy and we'll fall into a hole we may not be able to crawl out of. The rest of the SEC and the rest of the teams in our region are taking hoops very seriously...all the while we're sitting quietly, picking our noses and reminding everyone how great the 2012 football season was.
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)