UT DALLAS ATHLETICS HALL OF HONORS
2008-09 UTD MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE 2008-2009 UT DALLAS MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAMÂ made program history in March of 2009 by advancing to the "Elite 8" game of the NCAA National Championship Tournament and just missing a trip to the prestigious NCAA Division III "Final Four" with an overtime loss.
The Comets, who were 21-4 at the end of the regular season, swept through the American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament, earning the team's second conference title. UTD received a first-round bye in the NCAA national tournament, then beat powerhouse Trinity University and heavily-favored Capital University to advance to the "Elite 8" game.
In the "Elite 8" game, the Comets were matched up against Guilford College of North Carolina, a team they had convincingly defeated in an early-season tournament. UTD had a 12-point lead with five minutes left, but the Quakers fought back and hit two desperation three-pointers in the final minute of regulation  including a buzzer beater – to tie the score and send the game into overtime.
UTD started the season a perfect 9-0, and enjoyed a midseason 18-2 stretch where both losses were by just two points. At the ASC Tournament, the Comets romped over Sul Ross, but had to rally in the second half against Mary Hardin-Baylor to advance to the title game, where they toppled Mississippi College, 85-72.
The success of the 2008-09 Comets has served as a catalyst for the success of the UTD men's basketball program. Since that season, UTD has put together five straight 20-win campaigns, won five consecutive divisional or regular season ASC titles and returned to the NCAA Tournament three more times, twice advancing to the "Sweet 16" round.
Several members of the 2008-09 team may have been some of the most successful off the court, as well. A number of players on that squad attended UTD on academic scholarships, and the team had nine members who earned ASC Academic All-Conference recognition. Four were honored as Academic All-District selections while Scott Rodgers eventually earned Academic All-American status.
The majority of players on that squad completed their degrees at UTD, and many have gone on to successful careers in fields such as accounting, business and coaching.
