https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/sports/2008-03-19/603306/

And So Begins the Madness

By Ricky Treon, March 19, 2008, 12:04pm, The Score

A lot has happened since Texas lost to Kansas 84-74 in the Big 12 Tournament title game in Kansas City, Mo.

First, we learned Texas' NCAA fate, as they drew the No. 2 seed in the South Region. This is beneficial to Texas because if the Longhorns get out of the first and second rounds in Little Rock, Ark., alive, they play in the region final in Houston, giving them at least somewhat of a home-court advantage.

Then we learned that Texas' sophomore point guard D.J. Augustin was named a United States Basketball Writers Association All-American.

But coach Rick Barnes took away from that good cheer slightly with his comments during a Big 12 conference call about Arkansas fans and how they'd "better be good to us" or he would try and get the Longhorns to pull out of their game with the Razorbacks next year.

Though his words could have been said jokingly (it's just not completely clear after listening), they've stirred things up in Little Rock.

So, there's the backdrop for Texas' opening-round game with Austin Peay on Friday at 2pm: One semi-home-court advantage if the Longhorns win, another All-American award for Augustin and a lot of agitated fans awaiting Texas in Little Rock.