Going to speak this entry to audio as I’m about to get in my car and drive from Dallas to Austin after a five-day trip to watch the University of Texas at Dallas men’s basketball team win a pair of games that were weather-delayed. 

I drove to Dallas for a five-day trip to watch the University of Texas at Dallas men’s basketball team win a pair of games, which had been delayed due to the ice storm that had closed much of the state.

I had already booked a hotel located in the newer Cityline mixed-use space (anchored by a large State Farm office building and many stores) and made a Thursday dinner date there with one of the Comets coaching staff, and I wanted to keep the engagement, knowing it was probably my last chance to do so this season.

Despite the fact that there was now no game Thursday, I hit the road and arrived in Dallas at 2:45 pm. I had dinner, beers, and a great review of the season with Joe, and then, at 8:15, Rob joined us before Joe rolled off at 9.

The next day, my brother-in-law David arrived from Tulsa and we took Robert to a big Italian dinner at Roman Cucina in Richardson. The Guys’ Weekend ramped up as David and I enjoyed a late night out at the pair of bars a stone’s throw from the Aloft.

The Comets’ victory over Hardin-Simmons on Saturday, 90-73, was especially fun for us as Rob had his best game as a collegian to date pouring in 16 points, nine rebounds and three assists. 

We celebrated with local friends, Joyce, Jason and their daughter at Mi Cochina. Rob peeled off to be with his buddies and David and I hit the Cityline bars once again before calling it a (late) night.  

David headed home as Sunday, February 5, dawned early — my mother’s 90th birthday. I made the very fun call in to her and my Seattle-based sister Cynthia who’s spending time in Evansville with Mom to celebrate, and coordinated calls (reminders, really) between the boys and her.

She was having a ball and they were headed to West Baden resort for lunch — and to get massages. For a fun gift, we’d sent her pies(!) from an Austin vendor, which she raved about.

Also Sunday, I attended UTD’s practice at Coach Butterfield’s invitation. The Comets were preparing for Monday’s matchup with McMurry, and with four games in seven days, concern was that the team would be flat. 

I’m no Kreskin, but I will tell you that as I stood with fresh eyes, given this was my first UTD practice, the players were focused. They were All Business. No one was distracted, low-energy or goofing off. Even though it was a light workout, the action was crisp, the confidence was soaring. This is a highly capable bunch who enjoy one another.

Rob and I had Pho dinner Sunday… and next I spent most of Monday working in the hotel, during which the Division III men’s basketball Top 25 poll came out. 

UTD basketball sits just outside the actual 25 in the Also Receiving category, at #29. Massey’s computerized D3 poll ranked them at #28. The team’s been knocking on the Top-25 door now for three weeks. The vote is important, as it influences at-large selections for D3’s version of March Madness, also a 68-team national bracket that’ll be issued in late February. 

As I watched Sunday’s walkthrough I had silently predicted the Comets would blow out McMurry, and indeed they did, winning 105-79 behind All-American candidate Kyle Poerschke’s 25 points and 11 rebounds. 

Now the stage is set for Thursday’s showdown with 22nd-ranked Mary Hardin Baylor (UMHB), 18-4 and winners of 10 straight. The Comets have won seven in a row and are in sole possession of the ASC conference lead since January 12. It’s essentially a playoff game – see you there!