Prelude to an Upset
By: Michael Whitson
Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: Sports
An upset can be defined as defeating or overthrowing an opponent that is considered more formidable, as in war, politics or sports.
Sports upsets, specifically, leave the victors with a magical sensation while the other side is filled with shock and disbelief.
"Do you believe in miracles?" sports commentator Al Michaels asked as the United States hockey team defeated the heavily favored Russians in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Buster Douglas was a 42-to-1 underdog when he knocked out "the baddest man on the planet" Mike Tyson, in 1990.
Throughout the history of upsets, some of the most memorable have occurred on the courts of college basketball.
In 1969, a small Division II school in West Texas defeated the Texas Longhorns, one of the most decorated programs in the history of collegiate athletics.
That small school, Angelo State, will look to pull off another upset on the hardwood tonight in College Station as they square off against the Texas A&M Aggies.
"We are very excited," senior forward Shavar Burch said. "This is a test to show us where we stand. This is probably going to be the best competition we face all year."
On Nov. 9, the Rams opened their season with a 79-71 exhibition loss to Rice University, another Division I school.
The Rams had led the game 62-61 in the second half, but were outscored 18-9 over the last seven minutes of regulation.
"I think the total effect of the game was loose balls," Burch said. "We didn't come up with a lot of loose balls we should have came up with."
Burch says the loss could benefit the team against the Aggies and throughout the course of the season as they prove they can compete with Division I opponents.
Texas A&M will provide the Rams with a daunting challenge, but one that assistant coach Kenneth Mangrum said he feels the team will rise to the occasion.
"They are so much bigger than we are inside," Mangrum said. "So we are going to have to be real physical with them."
One area where the Rams seem to have an advantage is in the backcourt.
"I think we match up with them real well at the guard spot," Mangrum said. "We may be a little bigger than them at guard. We're counting on our guard play to keep us not only in the game but give us an opportunity to win the game."
A win in their regular season opener is what the Aggies expect against a smaller Division II opponent like ASU.
A loss would do serious damage to their NCAA tournament resume, in which A&M has made four straight appearances.
"You are always confident your team can go in and get a win," Mangrum said. "If we can force them to make some crucial mistakes and hang around, anything can happen. We're not going in there trying to play with them. We are going in there trying to win the game."
Sports upsets, specifically, leave the victors with a magical sensation while the other side is filled with shock and disbelief.
"Do you believe in miracles?" sports commentator Al Michaels asked as the United States hockey team defeated the heavily favored Russians in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Buster Douglas was a 42-to-1 underdog when he knocked out "the baddest man on the planet" Mike Tyson, in 1990.
Throughout the history of upsets, some of the most memorable have occurred on the courts of college basketball.
In 1969, a small Division II school in West Texas defeated the Texas Longhorns, one of the most decorated programs in the history of collegiate athletics.
That small school, Angelo State, will look to pull off another upset on the hardwood tonight in College Station as they square off against the Texas A&M Aggies.
"We are very excited," senior forward Shavar Burch said. "This is a test to show us where we stand. This is probably going to be the best competition we face all year."
On Nov. 9, the Rams opened their season with a 79-71 exhibition loss to Rice University, another Division I school.
The Rams had led the game 62-61 in the second half, but were outscored 18-9 over the last seven minutes of regulation.
"I think the total effect of the game was loose balls," Burch said. "We didn't come up with a lot of loose balls we should have came up with."
Burch says the loss could benefit the team against the Aggies and throughout the course of the season as they prove they can compete with Division I opponents.
Texas A&M will provide the Rams with a daunting challenge, but one that assistant coach Kenneth Mangrum said he feels the team will rise to the occasion.
"They are so much bigger than we are inside," Mangrum said. "So we are going to have to be real physical with them."
One area where the Rams seem to have an advantage is in the backcourt.
"I think we match up with them real well at the guard spot," Mangrum said. "We may be a little bigger than them at guard. We're counting on our guard play to keep us not only in the game but give us an opportunity to win the game."
A win in their regular season opener is what the Aggies expect against a smaller Division II opponent like ASU.
A loss would do serious damage to their NCAA tournament resume, in which A&M has made four straight appearances.
"You are always confident your team can go in and get a win," Mangrum said. "If we can force them to make some crucial mistakes and hang around, anything can happen. We're not going in there trying to play with them. We are going in there trying to win the game."
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