Nothing But Iron: Texas Toast December 31, 2007 by Steven R. Lagman, M.D., C.A.S.W. Things really are big in Texas. Brian Butch was big. Marcus Landry was big–perhaps hesitant at times, but big when it mattered most. Biggest of all was Michael Flowers, whose gargantuan last-minute heroics–big rebound, big shot, big steal and big clock-killing skyward heave of the ball, carried the Badgers to a stunning road upset of No. 9 Texas. I say stunning, because that’s what it must have felt like to Longhorns fans, but in reality, it was the type of win that ought to occur at least a couple times a year for a program of Wisconsin’s maturity. The end was jump-out-of-my-seat exciting, but, it was only a matter of time before all the hard work we have seen game after game earned these Badgers a big payout. As I watched I had two thoughts: 1) that Wisconsin would probably lose respectably, and 2) that Wisconsin could be a really good team by the end of the season. Glad to be only one for two. I wonder now how Flowers feels about his decision to return to the Badgers after his "medical" leave of absence. OK, I don’t really wonder. He feels damn good about it. Athletes at all levels, including a young capable high school athlete close to me, who has had fleeting thoughts of quitting basketball, should take note of this lesson. The biggest ramification of beating the Longhorns is that any deliberations about Wisconsin in the NCAA tourney selection proceedings must now end with, "but they beat Texas." I don’t know if UW will be a bubble team in March, but this win is a nice chip to have just in case. Much was made of winning in spite of Trevon Hughes’s absence. Maybe that emphasis is appropriate, but it is comforting to know that the team, even against outstanding Texas guards, did not collapse without him. I am a big fan of present-day Hughes and the Hughes I expect to see in Wisconsin’s future, but we don’t know for sure that this game would have been easier with him in the lineup. It could be that he was destined to struggle as he did at Duke. It could be that his presence would have denied Flowers one or more of his incredible end-game feats. I suppose it’s a pointless discussion since that which did not happen can never be known, but we sportswriters thrive on pointless discussions. I half expected that pointless might be the theme of Packers-Lions II, but if the game lacked meaning, Green Bay did a nice job of concealing that. From my chilly seat 50 rows up in the south end zone, the Packers looked to be as inspired as the 72,000 fans who cheered them on as if the playoffs had already begun. Good thing too, because I hate the idea of limping into the playoffs like too many ill-fated teams have done in seasons past. With last week’s blow out, so to speak, in the Brutally Windy City, and with next week off, it was critical to reclaim the winning mind set, even against the Lions, who probably spent the week packing for the warm-weather destinations of their imminent off season. We all knew there would be no apathy allowed in the Patriots camp, and sure enough, they finished with an amazing 16-0 season record. With a single exception, I congratulate them. As for Randy Moss, I wish him the worst. Yeah, he’s behaving himself this year. Yeah, he’s a great receiver. But show me Randy supporting anyone other than Randy in a less-than-perfect season and I’ll show you another member of his fan club. You could interpret New England in two different ways: 1) It’s a team that simply finds a way to win or 2) It’s a team on the verge of losing. It won’t likely matter, but I raise my glass to the latter. I wish my readers a safe and happy new year.  Be sure to watch the Badgers play Tennessee in the Outback Steak Bowl, also known by the more accurate description of winter non-conference game. I have no prediction for this game, except that it is the last game of the year for both teams, the winner will get a nice trophy and the game will be followed by others believed to be increasing in order of importance, but they really aren’t. Finally, in tribute to the BCS and its remarkable ability to sell another football season without a real ending I leave you with a sports column without a ____________ Nothing But Iron is an amateur sports column. Because the author’s coat zipper was stuck open and he had to rely on four hypothermia-preventing snaps to keep his coat closed during the game, this issue is dedicated to Myron von Snappenberg, who invented the snap in 1801. ©2007 DrTM Enterprises. All rights reserved.