Starting Lineup: Texas Longhorns

by 512 on Jan 31, 2008 2:09 PM CST Comment 13 comments

Texas Longhorn Starting Lineup

I would really like to see a change in the use of the roster by Rick Barnes. Last year I would've vomited if someone said this but think long and hard and then give me your opinion. Thanks.

DJ Augustin- PG
AJ Abrams- G
JD Lewis- G
Damion James- F
Conner Atchley- F 1st sub: Dexter Pittman- F

Against larger teams we continually struggle to get into the paint. Augustin cannot win the game all by himself in the paint.

Gary Johnson,Wangmene and Chapman are young and do little to contribute to the success of this team at this point. They are inexperienced at this level but may prove to be effective after a year of conditioning and adjustment.

Putting a legitimate 3rd threat from 3 point range on the court and quickly moving the ball around the perimeter would provide more open looks for all 3 guards. The opposing team couldn't just sit on Abrams the whole game.

With G. Johnson and Wangmene in the game you can sense that lack of chemistry that the team was playing with earlier in the year.

I hated JD Lewis last year, BUT he IS 7 for 11 from 3 point range and 8 of 12 overall this season. I think it is worth a shot.

Thoughts?

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Everyone always thinks offense.

Mason is a beast on defense. Theres a reason hes a starter, and its due to all the things he can do on D.

Theres no way that JD is a better starter than Mason.

His shots are mostly garbage time, maybe he can score a few, but he wont make up for Mason's D, height, and rebounds.

Besides we already have three outside shooting threats, with Connor's 3pt percentage being very solid. This team needs to be less one dimensional, and not rely on perimeter shooting as much, adding another short guard imo exacerbates the problem, not helps fix it.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Jan 31, 2008 2:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nothing against Mason

I agree. Mason is a consistently effect player on the defensive side of the ball. If he were just about a foot taller all of our problems would be solved.

Maybe we should go big on big when we play larger teams and put in Dex, James, Wangmene/Johnson, Augustin, and Mason???

"I asked Darrell Royal, why he didn't recruit me and he said: "Well, Walt, we took a look at you and you weren't any good." W Garrison Oklahoma State

by 512 on Jan 31, 2008 3:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think so ...

The problem with this team is, unfortunately, unfixable. We just do not have the quality size inside to deal with teams like A&M. But what about when we beat UCLA, you ask? Well, UCLA had one awesome big and we threw body after body at him, controlled him, and won. On the other hand, A&M has three very good bigs who each could out man Conner, Wang-chung, Johnson, Dexy. So ... they pound us inside until we double, then they snipe at us from downtown. No way to beat that if you can't man-up inside.

The good news is that our bigs are mostly young and will get better in the next few years. The bad ... D.J. won't be around to pass to them by the time they get really good.

by Loisaida Horn on Jan 31, 2008 2:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I just want to make sure that you are aware

that you are recommending JD Lewis for the starting 5. Are you serious? Really? Am I getting Punk'd?

by the1austin on Jan 31, 2008 2:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Don't put me....

....on the list of those who act as if this team will fall apart.

It was a bad night. We couldn't shoot the ball, their physical play forced us to modify shots and caused us to rush other shots. Then we couldn't our FTs.

While this team has some experience, we are still very youthful. Time and again, Rick Barnes has showed the ability to regain the team's composure. Heck, we've done awfully well to get to this point. Just after the end of last season, I was concerned this team might end up +/- 2 games of .500.

Today, I'm anticipating a ~10-6 Big-XII record and trip to TheDance with a 6-seed.

--- All roads to the Big-XII Championship lead through OU/RRS. It's not just another game! We're all about championships here. ---

by HornChamps on Jan 31, 2008 3:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Lewis, seriously??

There is no way Lewis should be starting for this team. Mason is struggling on offense, but he plays great defense and hustles. He's capable of scoring once he gets his confidence back. I am in favor of Dex getting more playing time though. We need size come tournament time, and he seems to be playing much better. Also, he's a pretty good free throw shooter for a big guy.

by mmorales11 on Jan 31, 2008 3:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Not necessarily a starter, but...

I do believe it would be worth a shot to give Lewis more minutes to see if he can add to the effectiveness of getting a open look around the perimeter.

I feel the same way away Dex in that he is not a starter but could play more minutes. Wangmene and Johnson should be used like salt.... sparingly. They are just too hesitant and their youth shows through. Both look like great athletes, but I never see them ball up and drive the lane or really attack the rim with any authority.

No, I do not think this team is falling apart. I do think that they lack the chemistry they had earlier in the season. I also have reached the conclusion that teams focus on Abrams as the only consistent perimeter threat and guard him accordingly making him useless unless we adjust.
If we are not going to find a way to get Abrams open, then we might as well take him out of the game.

"I asked Darrell Royal, why he didn't recruit me and he said: "Well, Walt, we took a look at you and you weren't any good." W Garrison Oklahoma State

by 512 on Jan 31, 2008 3:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs