Try, try again. Bob Knight failed to grab his 880th win last night, as UNLV beat Texas Tech, 74-66, in Knight???s quest for history. The Red Raiders have two more home games before they hit the road, so Knight should be able to get it done on his home court. Texas Tech plays New Mexico on New Year???s Day.

Texas A&M rolls over Grambling. Like a surgeon, I examined the box score from last night???s game between Texas A&M and Grambling. The Aggies won big, 101-27, and anytime I see a score like that, I worry about sportsmanship. But this time it looks more like two teams that shouldn???t have been on the court together rather than one running up the score. Texas A&M scored the game???s first 28 points and shot 52.1 percent from the field. Grambling, on the other hand, hit 10-of-51 shots and turned the ball over 30 times. Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie played 15 players, although perhaps he could have given the last five guys on the bench a few more minutes on the floor. But that???s Gillispie???s prerogative and my thoughts really don???t matter. I don???t think anything wrong happened ??? these teams just aren???t on the same level.

Mascot discussion continues. An article in today???s New York Times continues the conversation about the NCAA???s restrictions on Native American mascots, nicknames and imagery. Joe LaPointe???s story takes a look at Florida State???s relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Rutgers wins first bowl game. I watched last night???s Texas Bowl between Rutgers and Kansas State with a host of Scarlet Knights fans in a lower Manhattan sports bar. It was a fun atmosphere, especially because Rutgers won its first-ever postseason game with a dominant 37-10 win. The Scarlet Knights finished the season with an 11-2 record and the program that served as a doormat in the Big East for years has emerged as a national power. A lot of money has been invested in the program at a time when New Jersey has made budget cuts from its educational system across the board. While the gridiron success is great, I???m getting the message that some priorities may be in the wrong place.

Mediocrity turns into good game. Two 6-6 teams turned in perhaps the best game of the bowl season last night, as Oklahoma State kicker Jason Ricks booted a field goal with 8.9 seconds left in regulation to lift the Cowboys over Alabama in the PetroSun Independence Bowl, 34-31. OSU finished the season 7-6 while Alabama ended with a losing 6-7 record. It was a great game between two not-so-great teams.