Longhorns Country

Longhorns' Dylan Disu Leaving Door Open for Return vs. Miami in Elite 8: 'I Feel Better!'

There was no denying that Texas Longhorns forward Dylan Disu appeared in better spirits on Saturday when discussing the injury that is clouding his availability for Sunday's meeting with the Miami Hurricanes in the Elite Eight.

Zach Dimmitt

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KANSAS CITY, MO. - From a sideline perspective, it was clear that something was bothering Texas Longhorns forward Dylan Disu during warmups before Friday's Sweet 16 matchup against the Xavier Musketeers at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.

This proved to be true, as Texas fans saw their greatest fears realized when Disu exited the game in the first 90ish seconds and returned to the bench in a walking boot and a black hoodie. A week after exploding for 28 points in a win over Penn State in the Round of 32, Disu was suddenly sidelined in the biggest game of the season due to a bone bruise in his left foot he had suffered in that victory, though the team had left it unrevealed for the entire week leading up to the meeting with Xavier.

But luckily the Longhorns rallied around both Disu and each other to create another "biggest game" for themselves, as they dominated Xavier 83-71 to advance to the Elite Eight where they will play the No. 5 seed Miami Hurricanes on Sunday.

The win certainly boosted Disu's spirits as he spoke to the media on Saturday. How could it not? And when discussing his chances of playing in the Elite Eight on Sunday, this positive energy remained for a guy that had just been in tears the night before.

"I feel better today," Disu said with a slight smile Saturday. "It was really tough not being able to play yesterday. The only reason I wouldn't play in the game is if I absolutely couldn't. So that's where I was at yesterday.

"But I'm feeling better today and hopefully I feel even better tomorrow (Sunday) and get the opportunity to play."

See for yourself  ... (video courtesy of CBS Austin).

Disu didn't participate in Saturday's closed practice, as staying off that ailing left foot is the best bet if he wants to play against Miami.

"That's the biggest thing for a bone bruise, just trying to stay off it as much as possible, ice, treatment,” Disu told the San Antonio Express-News. “But then tomorrow, if I can play I'll play."

Disu has undoubtedly been one of Texas' most important players during the biggest of moments late in this season. After winning the Big 12 Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, he didn't slow down once the NCAA Tournament began, as everything came to a peak during the sensational offensive showing he had against the Nittany Lions.

A starter for the team all season, it was obviously crushing for him to watch from the sidelines against Xavier knowing that it could be the last game of the season.

"It's tough to have to watch and not be able to go out and help your teammates, but I'm so glad that we won," he said.

Though Disu is one of Texas' biggest threats on both ends due to his polished offensive touch and athletic defensive ability, the deep roster that this current team has hardly makes his potential absence against Miami a reason to make excuses.

After all, backup big man Christian Bishop stepped up with one of his best games as a Longhorn against Xavier, posting 18 points and nine rebounds in front of his family in his hometown of Kansas City.

Who knows? Disu and the Longhorns may already know his availability for the matchup against the Hurricanes and are drawing things out to maintain a strategic and competitive advantage.

But there's no denying that Disu was giving off a much more positive vibe on Saturday, as he and the Longhorns are now one win away from advancing to the Final Four for the first time since 2003.

Texas and Miami will tip-off at 4:05 p.m. CT on Sunday.

You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT