The Texas Longhorns (12-4, 2-1 Big 12) pulled away from Texas A&M (9-6, 0-3) down the stretch, defeating the Aggies 61-51 and picking up another critical conference home win as they prepare to enter arguably the toughest six-game stretch any team in college basketball will face this year (at Mizzou, at K-State, vs Kansas, vs Iowa State, at Baylor, vs Missouri).
Julien Lewis led the scoring for the Longhorns, busting out of his slump to the tune of 16 points on a beautifully efficient 6-10 shooting, including a perfect 3-3 from downtown. Although J`Covan Brown still couldn't find his lost stroke tonight (2-12 from the field overall, 0-3 from beyond the arc), he delivered an oustanding all-around performance, dishing out a team-high 6 assists, grabbing 6 rebounds, and notching 14 points thanks to a perfect 10-10 night at the line. Texas was also blessed by an appearance from "Good Chappy," as Clint Chapman continued his on-a-game, off-a-game trend with a strong 11-point, 7-board performance in 33 minutes.
I'm stuck at my office working late so I haven't even had a chance to watch the game on tape yet, but I noted in my pre-game thoughts that even though the Aggies present some challenges, "Still, I like us in this match up tonight, especially if we do a good job trying to push the ball, pick up some buckets in transition, don't settle for too many three pointers, and attack the rim aggressively. The biggest home court advantage in sports comes from getting the whistles at home in college basketball, and where the Aggies have been dreadful at attacking and getting to the line, that's one of the things this young Longhorns team does best."
Without having watched the game I can't tell you how well we did trying to create scoring opportunities in transition, but I only need the box score to tell me that we did a great job in the other key areas. Although Khris Middleton finally found his sophomore season form tonight, the Aggies as a team shot a dreadful 5-17 from three, right in line with their season average, while Texas did the better job of not settling for outside jumpers, shooting just 7 three-pointers (making 3), while bettering A&M in free throw opportunities by a whopping 15-attempt margin. The Aggies got to the line just 16 times, making 8, while the Longhorns racked up 31 attempts from the stripe, making 22. Texas also won the turnover battle again tonight, with just 12 turnovers against 17 by A&M.
That tells me whatever else this young team did or didn't do tonight, for the second-straight game they did the fundamental things that you absolutely have to do well to win in this conference. We were solid on the glass, took care of the ball, attacked the rim at home, and cashed in at the line. Strong performances in those areas can make up for a whole lot of other deficiencies, particularly at home, where NCAA Tournament berths are secured.
So far so good, and it'll be interesting to see how this team does across this upcoming brutal stretch of six games. I may chime in with some additional thoughts after watching tonight's game on tape, but for now this is your celebration thread. Jump in with comments and reactions to tonight's win.
Hook 'em
0 recs | 40 comments
A lot of the differential in free-throws
came at the end of the game when Aggies were forced to foul in order to save the clock.
SDG - January 11, 2012
Looking at the play-by-play
It appears that our final 10 attempts came at the 1:46 mark when A&M started to try to stop the clock down 10 points, so you’re correct. Nevertheless, in a low possession game we were at that 1:46 mark still +7 over the Agros in free throw attempts, shooting 21 to their 14 — a full 50% more. At that point in the game we were also 3 for 7 from beyond the arc, to their 2 for 11.
Again, I haven’t even gotten home from my office yet to watch it, but at least from the box score and play-by-play data, it sure seems like we did the better job in those areas I highlighted. I’ll get to watch the game here soon enough, but someone feel free to jump in and correct me if that’s not the case.
Peter Bean - January 11, 2012
Because of my lack of the LHN, this was my first look at the new & improved Clint Chapman.
I was very impressed. He reminds me of the kind of big guys who will get pushed off the block by beast 7-footers but will be hard to handle for other guys his size or smaller. He looked much more athletic than I remember him. He might not be much better than this, come tourney time, but he definitely is filling the role adequately that I thought Wingman would be doing this year.
robthecob - January 12, 2012
Was at the game to see the Horns protect home court
Great game by Lewis and Chapman.
Brown although limited, still managed to get to the line a bunch, grab 6 boards, and dish 6 dimes.
Kabongo’s inconsistency continues…
Tough stretch coming up, if we can win 1 of the next 3 ill be content.
Shane Yeo - January 12, 2012
Brown
Brown made most of his free throws at the very end of the game when the ags went into instant foul mode. Good on Brown to hit the free throws but he didn’t do anything to draw the fouls. He could not hit hardly anything from the field (again, his ankle hindered him) but kept shooting anyway. He could not guard anyone because he can’t move well with the ankle injury. Fortunately the ags were mostly too stupid to attack Brown.
Kafka - January 12, 2012
It seems like his ankle was much better in the second half. I don’t know why this is, but it seemed that way. He was able to start driving to the basket, and made some plays.
Kabongo had foul trouble, although you will hardly notice from the telecast. It seems that the ESPN folks broadcasting the game didn’t notice that he was sitting on the bench with fouls and had decided that Barnes was benching him to teach him something.
Good to see Lewis hit some shots.
Reggieball - January 12, 2012
Yea anyone that watches UT basketball knows Barnes' M.O. is you sit with two fouls in the first half
and if you pick up an early third in the 2nd half you go right back to the bench. Horns also went on a run with Gibbs in in the 2nd half which also contributed to Kabongo remaining on the bench a little longer.
2Cor12:9 - January 12, 2012
That 2-fouls-in-the-1st-half & sit-on-the-bench rule is pretty much the same for ...
… any good coach on the pro or college levels. I think it also sends a message to these guys to control themselves on the fouling or they won’t be of much good use to the team.
robthecob - January 12, 2012
That explains why Gottleib missed it
He played for Okie State.
DudeAbide - January 12, 2012
Now, Now. Okie State has been pretty darn solid for many years now.
If my memory serves correct, Gottlieb was an atrocious shooter. Purely an assist man.
robthecob - January 12, 2012
Kabongo's foul trouble really helped Brown
He shifted from scorer to distributor mode, which I think helped alleviate some of the pain off his ankle. Instead of having to run around and go through ball screens, he was able to play at the top of the key and just use his vision instead of his legs. Also, on defense, he was able to guard Dash Harris, which is about as easy as guarding a trash can.
I think Doug Gottlieb mentioned that Brown planned on doing lunges at halftime. So I’m sure that strengthened the ankle as well.
jc25 - January 12, 2012
His ankle was probably looser in the 2nd half
I’ve had numerous ankle injuries over the years. In the 1st half it hurts like hell. Then as the game progresses, it gets looser and adrenaline plus the desire to win can temporarily mask the pain. He’s probably hurting a lot this morning.
Johngo - January 12, 2012
Heroic
JB really gave everything last night. It’s a miracle he was even able to play.
Caradoc - January 12, 2012
Don't Worry, Pete, You Watched As Much Of The Game As Doug Gottleib
The coverage by Gottleib and the chubby red-headed step-child next to him was horrid, their claim that Barnes was sitting Kabongo as a “teaching moment” belied by the fact the Myck picked up two fouls by the mid-way point of the first half and had to sit, then picked up his third a couple of possessions into the second half and rode the bench again.
A nice, gutty game from J’Covan. I don’t think he has lost his stroke, he simply cannot elevate off of that bad ankle. We got much needed scoring from Lewis, a nice all-around game from Chapman, and some solid second half minutes from Lexi. That’s all it took to beat a team that is fighting with the Red Raiders for the basement of the Big XII.
DudeAbide - January 12, 2012
Want to give a shoutout to Coach G and the Lady Horns
as they knocked off the Aggies last night in College Station. Hope this win can finally give the program some much needed momentum and make a good run this year. BTW, win was Coach G’s first against A&M.
2Cor12:9 - January 12, 2012
Yes!
Would be nice to sweep the Aggs in both basketball genders.
DudeAbide - January 12, 2012
It's astonishing...
…how different of a team we are with JCB and without him (or without him at full strength). Beyond missing his scoring when he’s off the floor or hobbled (as he was in the first half), the offense we run without him is the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen from a Rick Barnes team. With him on the court and playing at close to full speed (as he was in the second half), the movement, the spacing, the passing is all so much better.
We’ve all held out hope that Kabongo can be that “Rick Barnes point guard” but JCB is already fulfilling that role.
billyzane - January 12, 2012
What was the extent of his hobbling?
I worry that because there is such a marked difference with him on and off the court, Barnes may press him to play beyond his comfort. There’s paying through the pain and then there’s pressing your luck.
TXinDC - January 12, 2012
He was literally hobbling in the Oklahoma State game.
Less so against A&M, but in the first half, he wasn’t moving well and wouldn’t drive to the basket. He looked markedly better in the second half, though he pretty much always went left.
As long as he’s not killing it in practices, it doesn’t look like something that would be terribly affected by playing in games as well. Bad ankle sprains just take a few weeks to heal.
billyzane - January 12, 2012
Yup
The entire basis for an optimistic outlook for this team was the existence of two elite primary ballhandlers. That’s proving particularly valuable given the substantial growth/adjusting young Mr. Kabongo is having to go through.
I’ve said it numerous times, but once more: J’Covan is the best “pure basketball player” Rick Barnes has ever had at Texas. Not the most talented, not the best scorer, etc. — just in terms of pure basketball instincts and know-how, the dude is as natural as they come. He’s a joy to watch.
Peter Bean - January 12, 2012
I would put PJ Tucker in that category as well.
2Cor12:9 - January 12, 2012
Another of my all-time favorites
Not quite the pure basketball player that JCB is, but I get where you’re coming from and agree. With Tucker, though, he was also freakishly gifted in some ways that few players his size are. He has the best hands of any player I’ve ever seen at Texas, long arms, terrific touch, and a real savvy when it comes to scoring the basketball.
Loved PJ, man. Love him.
Peter Bean - January 12, 2012
Kamie Etheridge would run circles around him but JCB is very fun to watch.
In the Penders era, I’d take Joey Wright in that category.
robthecob - January 12, 2012
Excuse me while I go Bobby Hebert for a minute...
Admittedly, I have only watched two or three b-ball games this year, but what I saw last night was waayyy below standards, even for UT.
And I don’t want hear about how we’re a young team and we’re jelling. F that noise. College basketball apologists are no longer afforded those excuses as guess what, that’s the nature of college b-ball today. With one and dones and the way Barnes recruits, we’re always going to be young (or at least dependent on youth) and there’s never going to be an off season to jell…you are who you are and who we are is a loose collection of individuals who can probably light it up at the playground, but look like a bunch of drunk raccoons trying to get into a trashcan in an organize setting.
Yes, there are some bright spots…Wangmane blocking a shot or throwing down a huge dunk, Chapman beating the opposing defense back down the court for an easy deuce, JCB creating space for himself or allowing a teammate an insanely open look…but as a whole and based on watching Barnes teams in the past, it’s disjointed and dysfunctional basketball lacking any cohesiveness or consistency.
That’s an unqualified opinion, but you asked what they looked like and that’s the only way I know how to say it.
The only redeeming thing from last night is that the Aggies were somehow even more pathetic. It is amazing how much that team has fallen off…again, probably the nature of the sport right now.
54b - January 12, 2012
Damnit, 54b
You’re gonna make me do this all over again?
I’m going to start banning you from letting yourself watch UT hoops games. It doesn’t mesh with your soul, amigo.
Have you tried UT swimming as your winter sport? As soon as you can get Longhorn Network, those swim meets are all yours.
Peter Bean - January 12, 2012
Sir, do not put lipstick on this pig...it is bad, bad basketball and you know it.
I will not let you besmirch the memory of Locksley Collie and Panama Meyers like that…if I want to harken back to a time when men were men and Texas controlled the paint, I will do it if I damn well please.
It’s not my fault Barnes tore his rotator cuff after throwing JCB’s smart phone across the gym after he caught J’Co tweeting about the decline of the Euro and the rise of debt ceiling.
If you’d like me to return to my reporting on off-track betting in the Himilayas, I will…it’s a smaller piece, but I know you’ve been following it.
54b - January 12, 2012
Hey, I hate the beach anyway
No, this isn’t Rick Barnes’ best team, and no, we’re not beautiful to watch when JCB is hobbling around out there.
But you’re still overreacting. We’re playing six freshmen, but doing pretty damn well all things considered — No. 25 in the KenPom ratings, to put it in perspective. And though your point is well taken regarding the reloading nature of college basketball, (1) this is about as extreme as it gets, and (2) I really love the composition of this team in terms of what’s building towards next year.
If this is represents the low point where UT hoops is concerned… well damn, that’s pretty freaking awesome, if you ask me.
Give in, let yourself embrace the chase. It’s a different one than football, but very wonderful in its own ways.
Peter Bean - January 12, 2012
Just for historical context
This team is probably as good or better than any of Penders’ teams. Based on SRS, there is only one Texas team prior to Rick Barnes’ arrival in the entire period where SRS ratings are easily available (back to 1980) that finished the season with a higher SRS rating that what this team currently has.
Reggieball - January 12, 2012
Yeah, but Penders ALWAYS had a better tan than Barnes!
robthecob - January 12, 2012
Ha! - a Locksley / Panama reference. Didn't think I'd hear that when I woke up this morning.
What, no love for Dexter McCambridge?!
It’s not all that bad, Mr. Hebert-West, but it’s not all that pretty yet, either. The biggest redeeming quality this team has for us is in knowing that no underclassmen are going to be jumping to the NBA at the end of the year. When’s the last time we enjoyed that not happening? The only guys we’re losing are Wingman & Chapman. They should be able to reload w/ interior players next year and have all these young outside players one year older. “As a king, you have to look for the silver lining in everything.”
robthecob - January 12, 2012
A couple of things you are missing
Even after last night’s loss aTm is the has the best defemnse (in terms of opponents’ points) in the conference – imagine that, 0-3 in conference and 9-6 overall and they still have the best defense. Nobody scores against them with ease.
Throw in a bad ankle sprain to the team’s best player and foul trouble of our freshman point and what you get is an ugly game.
DudeAbide - January 12, 2012
You make sense and bring up valid points...
but watching this UT basketball team is like watching a porno… no matter how hard the director tries to add depth by getting creative with the story arcs and plot twists and character roles, you still only need to watch for less than a minute to know what you’ve got….you still find yourself wanting to hit fast-forward 90% of the time…and no matter how hot the action on the court gets, you still know it’s not as good as the real thing.
54b - January 12, 2012
I don't have any kids.
But now, I want to have some just so I can keep them from reading this.
pleaseplaykindle - January 12, 2012
That was meant to be a compliment.
pleaseplaykindle - January 12, 2012
The A&M defense is pretty damn good
The Texas offense was respectable last night, with 0.98 points per possession. According to Kenpom.com, that is the forth highest total the Aggies have allowed all year.
I think what sometimes looks like bad offense is actually good defense. Did you catch the Louisville vs. Kentucky game? Both teams had miserable offensive performances. Mostly because both teams play fantastic on defense. It would be hard to argue that Kentucky is actually bad on offense.
Good defense can often make an offense look really bad. The NBA is different. The players are such good shooters, and the rules are so tilted in the offense’s favor (no handchecking, and moving screens are totally cool — pick and rolls look like student body right stuff) that it is very hard to just bring another team’s offense to a screeching halt. But this happens in college basketball all the time.
Reggieball - January 12, 2012
Thanks! You've just eroticized Texas Basketball for me.
I’ll never be able to watch a game again without having to smoke a cigarette afterwards.
robthecob - January 12, 2012
I would like to see more of a Phoenix Suns type attack on offense when D'Antoni was coach.
We are small, have athletes, have slashers, and even have shooters. Give them the green light, practice with a shorter shot clock and lets run. We should be running on everything. Even made free throws.
2Cor12:9 - January 12, 2012
Now you're talking!
robthecob - January 12, 2012
We still are not playing well
We make the dumbest mistakes defensively, we tap the ball in the air instead of grabbing the ball on rebounds. Lexi does that so much and it bothers me because he taps it to the other team…at least tap it to yourself. He is a really good shooter out to 15 feet. I don’t know why he doesn’t shoot it more instead of turning the ball over trying to do post moves. We miss too many easy shots. Layups, dunks, tapins…it’s ridiculous. We can be a good team if we just clean up those LITTLE mistakes. If we make layups and tapins, we are in the game at UNC and we beat Iowa State. You would think at this point in the season guys would go up with confidence, but for whatever reason, we’re not doing that. Hopefully they can fix it soon, because we can’t afford to leave easy points off the board from now on
jdwall12 - January 12, 2012
This team will improve a bunch before the end of the season
J’Covan’s injury is a blessing in disguise in that it forces everybody who isn’t JCB to step up.
I took a look at the Big 12 stats just to see how the team is doing recently against solid competition. Some of the Big 12 stats that interested me:
My goals for this team are:
Kafka - January 13, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Burnt Orange Nation to post a comment.