April 11, 2007

The Brandon Mouton (of 2003-2004) Rule

Definition: Good (but not spectacular) players who starred on good teams. They were enjoyable to watch, and often contributed to games that allowed 'Horn fans to experience a joy that is rare for schools accustomed to being the favorite: the joy of the upset.

Examples: Brandon Mouton ('03-'04 only), Cory Redding, Jason Klotz (senior year only, and domestic issues aside)

ESPN Classic Reaction: "Are you sure this is ESPN Classic, and not Bevo-D?"

8 comments:

BWS said...

Brandon Mouton played on team that went to the Final Four and was nine minutes from the Championship Game. This is a "good not great" team?

Abram said...

Interesting you should mention that, sir. I was thinking of the team the following year, on which Brandon was the go-to guy and the team, much like this year, was fun to watch but wasn't in any position for a championship run (although they did shoe up in the Sweet 16). But of course you're right that he was an important part of the '02-'03 Final Four team, so perhaps this rule is misnamed.

And if that explanation is insufficient: Jeff came up with and named the rule!

JMA said...

An interesting point, Ben, but the good but not great refers to the player as the catalyst of the team. In the same vein, Selvin Young was an important player on the national championship football team but he certainly was not the catalyst (that was Romance). Granted, Brandon was a very important player on the 02-03 team but it is somewhat telling that the one game TJ played horribly is the one we lost.

With Brandon at the head, the 03-04 Horns team was a Sweet 16 team, which (unless you're an Aggie) is the definition of a good but not great team.

Finally, not to nitpick but the Final Four team was 11 minutes from the Championship Game, not 9.

gk314 said...

that is nitpicking Jeff

PB at BON said...

This rule needs to be rethought. Mouton was not only an integral part of the Final Four team, but he was (by far) the best Longhorn in the matchup with Syracuse. Nobody was effective against that zone except Mouton, who single-handedly kept us in the game.

I like the spirit of the rule, but think you picked the wrong guy as your example. Or, if it's the right example and you're referencing 2004 (which is fine), some clarification is needed.

Abram said...

All of your comments are appreciated and noted. Please note the fix on the post based on your correct observations.

Abram said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BWS said...

Mouton was voted co-MVP of the team by the players themselves during the year of the Final Four. Boo-yah.