Stars shining bright in Reunion Arena
by Jennifer Bentley, sports editor

     I should be sitting here crowing about the Aggies. Of course, as everyone knows, they lost.

     I could talk about the Cowboys beating the Bengals, 23-6.

     Then again, when you play a team consistently ranked at the bottom of the NFL dogpile, you expect to win.

     But, of course, I won’t.

     For the Stars are shining again, and life is good.

     The Stars honored past players at a recent game: Guy Carbonneau, Craig Ludwig, Brian Skrudland and Shawn Chambers.

     It was these players who helped bring the Stanley Cup to Dallas, and all the men have since retired.

     After the remembrances, the game began.

     The Eagle was back in fighting form as Ed Belfour recorded his third shutout of the season and 52 of his career-stopping 24 shots from the Canadiens.

     And Jamie Langenbrunner was back in fighting form as well.

     Early in the season, he was switched from checking-line center to scoring-line winger, and then back. Langenbrunner blamed the line switches for his lack of scores. However, he ended his month of having no scores, scoring early in the second, and then assisting on Mike Kean’s goal late with four seconds remaining.

     In all fairness, Langenbrunner has been playing well—all things considered.

     His infant son has been in the hospital facing heart surgery, and he has been going to and from the hospital in between practices. So it was nice to hear that his son is improving.

     It was equally nice to see Langenbrunner in full form on the ice, playing like he has in years past … playing like he always has.

     And Eddie the Eagle soared into play.

     Belfour fought off point blank shots from the Canadiens, a few Stars mistakes and some tight squeezes when he wandered too far from the crease, to keep his shutout.

     Let’s just hope that the Eagle, Langenbrunner, and the rest of the Stars can keep this up as they face the rest of the season, including an upcoming match-up with Buffalo.

     I’ve recently torn myself away from the bone-crunching glories of hockey and taken a long hard look at college basketball.

     The Big 12, after facing what critics call a breakthrough season, is poised to take its place with the Big 10 and ACC.

     The Big 12, led by Kansas and Coach Roy Williams, remains some of the best basketball to watch.

     Taking a look at last season, five teams were selected for the NCAA Tournament, Iowa State’s Larry Eustachy was named national coach of the year, both Oklahoma State and Iowa State advanced to the Elite Eight.

     So what is missing?

     A Final Four appearance.

     To outsiders watching the Big 12, until they make it to March      Madness, they remain one step below the Big 10 and ACC.

     The East Coast conference boasts of having three national champions; the ACC never fails to talk about how many teams have been in the Final Four.

     Getting to the almighty Final Four will win the Big 12 the recognition it deserves.

     And, of course, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without football.

     The Cowboys face the Vikings just after the big feast, complete with turkey and dressing, is served. However, looking at the stats between the Cowboys and the Vikings, I’m not holding my breath for a win.

     My apologies to all the die-hard Cowboy fans reading this, but being honest, painfully honest, the Cowboys look like David facing Goliath. And this time, it’s going to take a lot more than a slingshot to bring him down.

     The Vikings lead the NFC Central division while the Cowboys just barely stay afloat next to last above the Cardinals. Add the fact that the Cowboys are playing at home and their home record is not the brightest.

     I am, along with every other Cowboys fan, hoping and praying for a Cowboy win to go with Thanksgiving dinner. But I’m not holding out much hope for them.