#16 Horns Coast to Easy Victory
by awiggo on Nov 18, 2007 11:30 PM CST
in Basketball
16 comments
It was over as quickly as it began. The #16 Longhorns (3-0) coasted passed Division II Arkansas-Monticello (0-3), 100-52, in front of 4,528 spectators on Sunday evening. No disrespected intended but UAM was the worst opponent Texas has faced this season and one of the worst I’ve seen in Austin in a long time. There are definitely some very good high school teams that would have given the Horns a bigger challenge. Given the inferiority of the opponent, it is hard to take too much away from this one, but here are a few points.
The defense appears to be much better this season than last. The Boll Weevils shot an abysmal 3-for-33 (9%) in the first half against mostly man-to-man defense from the Horns. The Texas pressure is also forcing turnovers at a higher rate this season. The Horns forced 20 turnovers for the game, most of them coming in the first half, and converted them into 30 points. Even without Kevin Durant, this Texas team will be better on the defensive end.
AJ Abrams continued his impressive shooting. Abrams scored a career high 30 points on 11-of-17 from the field, including 8-of-12 from behind the arc. His catch and release jumper is really a thing of beauty.
Connor Atchley also contributed a second solid performance. Although, he only played 19 minutes, Connor chipped in 11 points, three rebounds, two blocks, a steal, and an assist. And for the second straight game, Connor sank a gorgeous hook shot in the opening minutes of action. It is nice to be yelling for Connor and not at him.
With the game well in hand in the first half, Coach Barnes went to his bench players a lot. Alexis Wangmene, Clint Chapman, JD Lewis, Dexter Pittman, Harrison Smith, and even walk-on Ian Mooney all played more than 10 minutes. Wangmene again played solidly and is already showing a knack for rebounding well in traffic on both ends. Barnes pulled Chapman on and off the floor for the second game in a row after he made a few freshman mistakes. Chapman’s potential is evident, and with Gary Johnson and Matt Hill still sidelined, Barnes may not be able to wait till next year for Clint to contribute.
I was hoping to see Big Dex get a few minutes and he did. In the first half, the game was moving at one speed and Dexter was moving just a little bit slower. He bobbled or completely lost the first two or three entry passes and rebounds that came his way. In the second half, though, he settled down and showed strong hands and a soft touch. For the game, Pittman had six points, two rebounds, and two blocks. Just like last year, the pace of each game is going to determine how much we see Pittman. In the up and down contests, Wangmene, Chapman, and Atchley are much better options, but in the slower half-court games, Pittman should be a valuable contributor on both ends of the floor.
The Longhorns travel to Newark, NJ later this week for the Championship rounds of the Legends Classic and will face New Mexico State on Friday night at 6 PM and then either West Virginia or #7 Tennessee on Saturday. The NMSU game will be televised by Versus. If the Horns win, the championship game will also be televised by Versus at 6 PM. It will be nice to see the Longhorns against some real opponents. Coach Barnes and fans alike should have a better grasp of where this team really is by Saturday night.
--AW--
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Thanks, AW
It was a good game for the young kids and for AJ to establish himself as a threat. Eight treys is a damn good night's work.
Wonder if there's something about this level game Chapman is just not seeing 'in phase' or he's not seeing the floor. Yet he seems like a player that would just from his style. Barnes doesn't jerk you out unless he's got something important to convey (or you've become more of a threat to your team than the opponent).
Like the Lady Horns, we'll find out where we stand and how gritty we are this weekend. Glad we can see it on Vs.
This team is just getting started and some players are going have to grow up fast. Barnes is always particularly amusing at this stage of a team.
by whills on Nov 19, 2007 12:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Barnes humor
With a couple minutes left Barnes yelled down to Dogus at the other end of the bench to check into the game.
The threes are great from AJ, but I love seeing him knock down the midrange jumpers, floaters and finish the fast break lay-ups. We all know he has the range, but he is showing signs of a more complete arsenal.
by jimmer on Nov 19, 2007 9:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My aim is true
I'd loved to see AJ be just as accurate against the tough competition when it comes around. Good shooting takes practice, just like with a gun, so I hope his aim stays true after the practice rounds.
Barnes does see the comedic edge of the world, which I really like. You can't do that and take yourself too seriously. Or to put it another way, how many times does Coach K crack you up?
All apologies to Elvis.
by whills on Nov 19, 2007 12:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
AW or anyone who's seen the team play...
how is Connor being used on offense? are they actually posting him up or is he just playing the "setting picks, occasionally popping out for a 3-pointer, weakside rebounding" role? and is he moving well on defense?
i think "good connor" might be the key to this team.
by billyzane on Nov 19, 2007 9:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Little of Both
The Horns have started to run more half-court offense in the last two games. In the season opener, it was basically DJ right or DJ left and let him create. Against, UC Davis and in this one, the Horns did try to feed the post more frequently. Connor got the ball a couple of times in each game on the low block. It is obvious that Barnes realizes the Horns are not going to be able to beat teams from solely from the perimeter.
That said, Connor is always going to be the fifth option on offense, so any points he contributes in a half court set are just bonus points. He ran the floor well yesterday and was rewarded with an easy layup off a nice pass from DJ.
In most half court sets, Connor is being used primarily as a the high pick man for DJ though. His pic and pop three is a nice weapon for the Horns as well.
On defense, Connor has come off his man nicely to block a few shots from penetrating guards. He still bats too many rebounds instead of securing them with both hands. Even after just three game, Wangmene is much better holding onto rebounds.
by awiggo on Nov 19, 2007 10:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Shooting
Do you think those 3's that he hit his freshman year were just flukes? Or is it possible that he can be enough of an outside threat to draw a defender?
by Caradoc on Nov 19, 2007 2:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not Flukes at all
Connor has a nice and consistent set shot from three that can really be deadly off the high pic and rolls with DJ.
If the defense collapses to stop DJ's penetration, Connor should be open and have time to knock down the open jumper. Barnes wants him to take this shot and he really must take it and knock it down to prevent the defense from doubling DJ off every pic.
If the defense doesn't help and instead stays on Connor, then DJ will finish at the rim or dish to the other post player.
One more thing to watch, Connor looks much more comfortable shooting the three from the top of the key or just slightly to the left or right. He doesn't look as confident from the corners.
by awiggo on Nov 19, 2007 6:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
lol
I love how much time is devoted to Connor. Seems to me our chances rest more on Damien James and J. Mason's shoulders. The best we get from Connor is 8 pts, 5 boards a game. The worst is 4 pts 2 boards. Seems marginal to me.
James and Mason have much more upside and potential to really take a step forward and give us the complimentary scoring to DJ and AJ we so desperately need.
AW, no?
by Blitzburgh on Nov 19, 2007 3:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
James and Mason will be starters
Connors starts but here's where the real competition is on this team: Wangmeme's time is limited only by the speed of his development; Chapman and Sexy Dexy both need more seasoning. However, this team needs it big men for any game which becomes a half court affair.
The very points you mention are ok, but it's the ability to post up and score and defend in the lane which will be critical in many games. Thus, the development of the big men will dictate how far this team will go. Connor's development gives some stability but this team needs more than that for the hard core of the season.
We know James and Mason are improving, AJ and DJ are known factors; the big men are the mystery and the missing piece, thus they're drawing the ink.
by whills on Nov 19, 2007 6:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Bigs
That's fine, and you're right, they are the unknown with this team. But why all the attention on Connor? We know what he is. A serviceable guy who can play some defense, run the court, and grab a few boards. He's not going to be anything other than that, and that's fine, so long as he's able to consistently fill that niche.
To me, the bigger key (and question) is whether any of the new guys are able to make an immediate transition and be more than what Connor is: a legit post-up threat who can bang and score in the rugged Big 12.
I wasn't trying to be callous, I just think Connor gets too much attention for a player whos season performance should rest neatly within a fairly narrow window of expectation.
by Blitzburgh on Nov 19, 2007 6:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You are both right
The unknowns are the freshman bigs. How quickly will they adjust to the speed of the college game? Wangmene hasn't even been playing big time hoops that long. Chapman has great potential but needs to play more physically and is obviously not doing everything that is asked of him by Barnes. How quickly will Wangmene or Chapman step up? Pittman is certainly a lovable character and could be a force someday, but if I had to bet on who becomes a factor this season, I'd take Wangmene, then Chapman, then Pittman.
Now, we are all somewhat missing the point though: Gary Johnson is the one with the most talent and the best ability to score in the paint. If he is cleared, this team will be really good, read top 15, by March. But if remains uncleared, then, yes, this team's success will be limited by the development of our freshman bigs, the outside scoring ability of James, and our ability to defend the post and control the defensive glass while starting three guards under 6'2".
If Johnson is cleared, Mason will likely head to the bench and be able to spell both DJ and AJ. James will continue to improve his game from the wing, Johnson will be a real force in the paint, and Connor will be Connor, a solid fifth starter who is good for streching the defense with the three ball, blocking the occasional shot, and rebounding as well as he can.
by awiggo on Nov 19, 2007 6:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's a good read of it
I didn't mention Johnson because we just don't know. I am presuming he's not gonna play until he does (although if they outright said no, he wouldn't even be practicing or in an exhibition game).
That is the top story with this team.
If GJ plays, then we have a different situation. But the hard fact is that we don't have much skilled experience beyond the starting five and that's the second big story - and where the conversation has been.
Within that is: Can Connor carry the load? And the conclusion is: not really, say a 1 in 5 chance. Thus the interest in the younger kids, Wangmeme in particular. But the conclusions here also say Connor can be a good spot player and help this team. To make it specific, he's not a stopper but he's our depth.
by whills on Nov 19, 2007 9:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
John Henson
John Henson, the #6 PF in 2009 (Round Rock) was at the game. Somebody figured that out so we had both OZones chanting "We want Henson" late in the second half. I have no idea why they brought him in to watch us play the Boll Weevils, though.
by whoopspat on Nov 19, 2007 10:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Nice Find
Keep in mind that he plays in Round Rock. It is doubtful that anyone associated with the university brought him in. He probably just wanted to catch a game.
J'Covan Brown is an excellent pickup in this year's class but the 2009 class is really when the Horns can pick up some studs, Henson included.
by awiggo on Nov 19, 2007 11:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's what it was
I thought it was "We want Headset". Quite confusing. Nice coordinating whoopspat.
Maybe he just took the train down from Round Rock, and bought his 8 dollar ticket like the rest of us.
by jimmer on Nov 19, 2007 11:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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