 "Photo: Stephen Durda")
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Clint Chapman, Alexis Wangmene and Gary Johnson sat eating in the locker room after Texas' defeat of Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Conference Tournament. Chapman and Wangmene each sat alone - Chapman with a pair of head phones on his head and his lunch in his lap, Wangmene with his massive 6-foot-10-inch frame seemingly impossibly tucked into the cubby hole of a wall. Johnson sat next to Justin Mason, listening to the sophomore take questions from an ESPN.com writer.
The three freshmen probably weren't used to reporters in the locker room, but this is the postseason, and the rules are different. While seven Texas frosh were introduced to the high-pressure brand of basketball known as March Madness last season, only this trio experiences the indoctrination in 2008.
"It's been fun, but it's going to get tough because it's game after game," Johnson said.
The Longhorns finished the Big 12 Tournament as runner up to Kansas, and now they're headed to Little Rock, Ark., for the opening two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
Johnson's already feeling the strain. After initiating hard contact while scrambling for a defensive rebound, the forward was called with a foul - and he suffered an injury that left him on the ground, face contorted in pain, clutching his right leg. Later, in the locker room, he didn't look so bad. He called the injury a sprain and said it would be a matter of wrapping and taping it. But he wound up sitting out the rest of the conference tourney. Head coach Rick Barnes said he thought Johnson would be able to play by Friday when the Longhorns take on Austin Peay, but nothing is certain yet.
Wangmene's immersion into postseason play was decidedly more pleasant. The forward played extended minutes during each of Texas' three games.
"It's really special," he said. "Everybody's got to go harder. Whatever you give during the regular season, you've got to double it during this tournament."
Chapman seemed to struggle in Kansas City. He saw four minutes of action against Oklahoma, but only played six minutes against Oklahoma State and Kansas combined.
No matter, the Longhorns have their No. 2 seed, and the 19-year-old knows what to expect now.
While the three freshman contributed to making history in the ritzy new building, they've also used the Sprint Center to absorb the memories and moments that the sport has created since 1896 when the University of Chicago laid out Iowa 15-12 in college basketball's first game. The College Basketball Experience is an exhibit residing in a wing of the arena where fans can beat buzzers, compare wingspans and learn about the game.
Texas went as a team on March 13 and basked in the effervescent glow of the display. Johnson and Wangmene both said they intended to visit it again before leaving Kansas City.
"It's very fun getting to be a part of it," Johnson said.
Wangmene said the sight of numerous names adorning the wall - all members of the college basketball Hall of Fame - gives him something to aspire to.
"That was something really remarkable," Wangmene said. "It makes you dream."
All dreams concerning college basketball must pass through the NCAA Tournament though, and Wangmene and his fellow freshmen get their chance to take part in the big dance this weekend.
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