Longhorn Basketball Sparking New Excitement

There’s a new vibe surrounding the Texas Longhorn basketball program this season. It’s been a tough couple of years for fans of the program, but this year’s team gives plenty of reasons to be excited about the future.

Last week, as the Longhorns’ squared off with North Dakota State in their first game of the season, the excitement in the arena was palpable. First of all, thanks to new Texas athletic director Steve Patterson, the atmosphere was nearly unrecognizable to fans that have been devout followers of the Longhorns, and that is a good thing. The Erwin Center, referred to as the Morgue in recent years, seemed like an entirely different venue. Students were lined up outside prior to the game, fighting to take part in the bucket hat give-away (a tribute to Myles Turner’s first game as a Longhorn). DJ Irie was hired to pump up the crowd, and the players were introduced under a fountain of pyrotechnics.

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Throughout the game, the fans–thanks mostly to the student section referred to as the O-Zone–were louder than they’ve been in any season opener in recent history. There was also a 100+ person “dance-off” during one of the first half timeouts which livened them up even more.

The energy in the Erwin Center didn’t go unnoticed; the players fed off the raucous crowd.

“It was really fun. It was the most fans we have ever had for an opener since I’ve been here,” Demarcus Holland told the media after the game. Isaiah Taylor added, “The atmosphere was great. DJ Irie had the whole gym rocking.”

“It was really fun. It was the most fans we have ever had for an opener since I’ve been here,” said Demarcus Holland.

But it wasn’t just the game-time atmosphere that injected a new brand of excitement into the fans. For the first time in several seasons, this Texas team has the ability to usher the Longhorns back to national prominence.

Heading into last season, Texas basketball fans were apathetic; after all, it was supposed to be the worst Texas team in decades. However, the team’s unexpected success mixed with the fact that all key members of the team would be returning this season sparked a bit of excitement and anticipation for the this year’s team. Instead of being forced to rebuild, Barnes would instead have a chance to build off of what he’d already started.

Adding to the excitement was the off-season signing of freshman phenom Myles Turner, the No. 2 ranked prospect in the nation and the program’s most talented recruit since Kevin Durant.

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Despite the heightened expectations for this year’s team, in their first two games, the Longhorns have shown why they’ve gotten so much preseason respect. With two 30+ point wins, the Longhorns have been impressive, albeit against inferior teams. Texas, however, will face their first true test of the season tomorrow night as they take on the No. 25 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes at Madison Square Garden. The match-up will be televised on ESPN2 at 6:00 P.M CST.

It’s definitely an exciting time to be a Longhorn basketball fan. This could end up being one of Rick Barnes’ most talented teams, and they certainly have the potential to make some noise come March. Until then, just sit back and enjoy the ride.