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Open Game Thread: #9 UCLA Bruins at #8 Texas Longhorns

UCLA Bruins @ Texas Longhorns


The Drum should provide for #8 Texas (5-1) quite the atmosphere this evening when the 9th-ranked UCLA Bruins (4-1) make their first-ever vist to Austin. All time, the Longhorns and Bruins have battled three times on the hardwood (UCLA won the first two, Texas won last year), but each contest has been at Pauley Pavilion.

KEYS TO THE GAME

  • Start fast.  In this case, I mean two things: First, a strong opening 20 minutes like last year's at Pauley would both light up the crowd a go a long way towards hiding some of Texas' vulnerabilities (such as go-to half court offense in a close game). Second, I think Texas is the team which would benefit from a higher-paced game. For whatever reason, Rick Barnes declined to press Notre Dame until the game's final minutes; a mistake I hope Rick doesn't make this evening. The Bruins' guards can be forced into turnovers.
  • No second chances.  UCLA Coach Ben Howland has some years fielded some excellent offensive squads and other years horribly ugly ones to watch. But even the ugly ones keep the offensive efficiency at a high level, thanks largely to their proficiency racking offensive boards. This will be a man's game, and you can bet that every member of the Texas frontcourt knows that if they're getting beat for rebounds after a UCLA shot, they won't be playing.
  • Win the turnover battle.  I get the feeling this might be the decisive factor for these two teams. For Texas, the impact of Augustin's departure is obvious. A year after comfortably leading the entire country with an impressive 14% turnover rate, Texas' rate is up by more than a third, losing north of 19% of their possessions. On the bright side, Texas hasn't been nearly as turnover-prone as UCLA, which has given away 23% of its offensive possessions on the year. The sample sizes are still small, but the underlying causes suggest an opportunity for both teams to attack. For the Bruins, that means being unafraid of getting burnt by our vanilla stable of guards, contesting passing lanes and aggressively playing to change possession. If Abrams gets by you to the lane... who cares? He doesn't instigate contact to get to the line, and doesn't finish. On the flipside, tonight's match up between Darren Collison and Justin Mason should be special. At his best, Collison can be the premier player in a given game, taking over with a wide array of skills -- including a strong perimeter jump shot, ability to finish in the lane, and good passing vision for teammates. He's turned it over an alarming amount so far this year himself, but Texas fans shouldn't be fooled; Collison will be no easy target. Rather, I think Texas should force UCLA to beat the press. Collison's not as good a full-court point guard as he is all-around player, while Josh Shipp (only a competent ball handling guard) and Jrue Holiday (true freshman -- albeit a damn good one) might struggle with the pressure.
  • Big men play big. You wouldn't know it just yet, but this Texas' team's strength is its frontcourt. After back-to-back seasons with limited frontcourt contribution and superstar playmakers outside, Texas is for the first time since Lamarcus Aldridge was here a team that has the frontcourt personnel to have a high impact on the game. Texas is more than just rusty, however; of all the things Rick Barnes does well, scoring consistently and efficiently inside is not one of them. I suspect that this team will get there eventually, especially if Wingman continues to develop as I think he will. But the key in the short term is for Dexter Pittman to get himself under freaking control with his fouls. Texas was in great shape when Dexy was moving the Big East Player of the year around like a table shaker of salt; it was the four fouls -- all of them stupid, preventable, and the result of mental weakness -- that grounded his and our momentum. Who knows, maybe a team as strong and physical as UCLA will provide for Dexy the kind of banging, contact atmosphere in which he can play without fouling. He simply has to pull it all together for this team to reach its fullest potential. Why not start tonight, big fella?

#9 UCLA BRUINS AT #8 TEXAS LONGHORNS

8:00 p.m. CT  *  Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas

Televion:  ESPN2 (Dave O'Brien, Jay Bilas)

Radio:  98.1 FM / 1300 AM in Austin

Official UT Game Info:   TexasSports.com Game Preview

Bruins Hoops Coverage:  Bruins Nation.com

0 recs | Comment 511 comments

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Official prediciton:

Texas 25
UCLA 24

Abrams 1-25 from three, 15-16 from the line
Rest of Texas: 3-30 FT Dexter has two dunks before he fouls out.

Awiggo explodes halfway through the second half, causing a 30-minute delay as they clean him off the court.

Kidding. I think this will be a tough test for our offensive patience. I can see Abrams/James getting frustrated with the D and jacking us into oblivion. Then again, I know nothing about UCLA, so there you go.

by Horn Brain on Dec 4, 2008 4:50 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Let's go Horns!

That place should be rocking tonight.

by stampchez on Dec 4, 2008 5:25 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Last year vs kansas

I came about two hours early and there must have been 500 people there already. I’m here now at the game and there can’t be more than 75-100 people. I think finals are going to really impact turnout- hopefully more will come though.

by liveUT on Dec 4, 2008 5:58 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is it just me....

or does everyone want ou to get smashed by USC tonight. Not just for ranking purpose, but for pure enjoyment.

Hook'em

by TEXAS_FIGHT07 on Dec 4, 2008 6:04 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Amen

brotha. Can’t wait for tonight, drum’s gonna be a-rockin.

by UTexasCPA on Dec 4, 2008 6:45 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I just will never understand

Giving the horns down when you are not even playing the Longhorns. It just does not make sense.

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 6:12 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is it me...

… or are they just triple-teaming Griffin and daring the rest of the team to beat them?

by Horn Brain on Dec 4, 2008 6:38 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anyone see that Warren kid's headband?

Why must it be positioned so? It’s like 3 inches above his hair-line. I realize that headbands in basketball became useless and just a fashion statement years ago, but really…It’s almost slipping off the back of his head it’s so far back.

by HornPossessed on Dec 4, 2008 6:48 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What's with the ESPN merch?

Who the f wants to wear that? It should be about as cool as a CNN shirt if ESPN was being responsible.

by Horn Brain on Dec 4, 2008 7:49 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I really hope that Abrams steps it up tonight.

We cannot have him jacking up threes towards the 2nd half.

We just need to take control of the paint, feed the ball to Pittman and control our possessions. It’ll be really nice to beat this talented UCLA team, and, yet, another great achievement by the Longhorns.

by longhornricky on Dec 4, 2008 7:59 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

did it matter to Texas...

…that OU just won? do we want them as high as possible for us to beat them later in the season?

by Heart of a Muschampion on Dec 4, 2008 8:06 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No

We will never root for the Sooners to do anything well ever again. No matter what, how, or where. If they lost every game in every sport forever and ever, that would just make me that much happier.

by Horn Brain on Dec 4, 2008 8:07 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Tisdale story

He’s a great bass player and amazingly upbeat after cancer but Toby Keith “the Biggest Sooner fan” is King of the talentless Dicks.

by shadyrock on Dec 4, 2008 8:07 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You mean they went to UConn while our game was starting.

That kind of stuff gets a sorry motherf*ckers from me.

by whills on Dec 4, 2008 8:08 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'll take the threes anyway.

It will take the horns a while to adjust to ucla; hopefully, it will be quick.

by whills on Dec 4, 2008 8:12 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Last year they came out quick

UCLA is doubling the post everytime, that could cause a problem

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 8:13 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

rick barnes

where is his burnt orange tie? I thought he usually wore one on gamedays…

by 4th generation fan on Dec 4, 2008 8:16 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great D

Rare 5 second call

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 8:18 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Haha that slow white guy was funny

Looks like me

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 8:20 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Three for AJ

but I have to say it’s pretty pathetic that UCLA’s PG is guarding Atchley and we’re still not posting up Connor. That says a lot about our inability to exploit the matchups, and how soft Connor is. He’s not even demanding the ball when Collison is guarding him.

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 8:20 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This is not a good game to be missing FTs

this game is going to go down to the wire. We CAN’T afford to miss freebies.

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 8:25 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice Chappy

Great Feed from James

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 8:26 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

CHAPMAN i thought you were a gentleman--

didndt see that rear entry situation coming!!! NICE!

by Heart of a Muschampion on Dec 4, 2008 8:26 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wow, who stole chapman's jersey?

that kid looks nothing like the passive kid i saw last year.

by DrunkArmadillo on Dec 4, 2008 8:27 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

WOW awesome ball movement there

that was just exciting to watch.

Showtime Horns?

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 8:28 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Collison is good

He does not miss

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 8:29 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That is what I want to see.

Beautiful teamwork and patience.

by Horn Brain on Dec 4, 2008 8:29 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Horns

are going to be so much better by March

by shadyrock on Dec 4, 2008 8:29 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No doubt

but we NEED to win a few of these non-conference games. This one is at home. It would be disappointing if we lose this game.

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 8:31 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He does not miss

Even with the awkward looking shot

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 8:31 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

UCLA wants revenge

and Howland’s a solid coach

by shadyrock on Dec 4, 2008 8:32 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Do not let bastards...

… have wide open threes.

Deny those bastards!

by Horn Brain on Dec 4, 2008 8:33 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Do Burgers taste good?

let’s feed them to foreigners who are used to bland rice and see if they like them

by shadyrock on Dec 4, 2008 8:35 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That was a

you’re pissing me off taste this elbow move

by shadyrock on Dec 4, 2008 8:38 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Can i take the blame for the UCLA miss

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 8:39 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that AJ 3 pointer...

…was DEFINITELY for the NBA scouts. he shot that shit from the announcer’s table.

by Heart of a Muschampion on Dec 4, 2008 8:40 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The music at the game is not good.

It’s that ‘Shut up and Drive’ country song that was on just then.

by HornPossessed on Dec 4, 2008 8:42 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I can't complain of being up 30-24

but I feel we could still be playing a lot beter.

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 8:43 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's coming together, y'all...

…our D is going to be the difference in this game.

by Heart of a Muschampion on Dec 4, 2008 8:44 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Our economy

is just Burger King & Mickey D’s. You know things are bad when you start seeing that British turd selling magic towels and other goofy crap during primetime.

by shadyrock on Dec 4, 2008 8:47 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Huge Block

!!!

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 8:49 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LOL Chapman block

I’m glad they didn’t call a T on that

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 8:49 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Kweefer

paid for that one.

by horndude on Dec 4, 2008 8:50 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

AJ playing the best game of this season

He’s not jacking up a bunch of shots, but when he does shoot, it’s going in. Incredible. Too bad it doesn’t happen often

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 8:52 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great first half

Few complaints overall. And lots to like.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Dec 4, 2008 8:53 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agree

Of course, our iso plays with DJ Augustin were lame, too. We do ‘last possessions’ horribly.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Dec 4, 2008 8:56 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I know The Sports Guy

is hated in Hornland but he had a pretty hilarious bit about the Clippers and last possessions

by shadyrock on Dec 4, 2008 8:57 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LOL half-time announcers...

…thinks Buffalo took Uconn to the wire because Buffalo plays “grown men… they dont get carded when they go to the bar.” Nice analysis.

by Heart of a Muschampion on Dec 4, 2008 8:59 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just got home

caught the last two minutes of first half.

So, apparently AJ is hot tonight. Can we afford to rely on that?

May Colt be with you. Yeah, that's right.

by bfaut86 on Dec 4, 2008 9:03 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No

but someone else will certainly step up.

by horndude on Dec 4, 2008 9:04 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good first half

Lots of turnovers, but I’m being nitpicky. Ladies and Gents, we’re doing this with Damion going for 6 points and Mason going for 4 points, just wait until we start opening it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Perhaps the most recognizable mascot in sports, and certainly the toughest looking, Bevo is a fixture

by run Bevo run on Dec 4, 2008 9:04 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

TV issues here

What’s crowd size, and intensity (or lack thereof)? Thanks

by edsp on Dec 4, 2008 9:08 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Looks pretty good on TV

It got pretty loud during the best moments

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 9:09 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow deja vu

half starts with a Keefe three. Can someone get a hand in his face?

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 9:10 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why do we have such a hard problem hitting free thows?

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 9:11 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You make a good point

but you would think James and Mason would have a better %

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 9:12 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I thought we were one of the best teams at FT

Was that just KD and DJ with over 80% bringing up our percentages? I know AJ is still good, but I seem to remember James struggling with FT last season…

by 4th generation fan on Dec 4, 2008 9:13 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Haha, of course

Colllison is WIDE open for three and misses it.

Pittman again!

When he’s on the court, we should call the paint “Dexter’s Laboratory”

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 9:14 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Off the glass!!!

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 9:14 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LOL BANK

It’s official, AJ is having a good day

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 9:14 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

AJ's daddy

is a happy man tonight.

by horndude on Dec 4, 2008 9:15 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I heard

him say “Bank”

by shadyrock on Dec 4, 2008 9:15 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The last two minutes...

…have shown us a hint of what Texas is capable of.

by Heart of a Muschampion on Dec 4, 2008 9:15 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

WTF?

It doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as you come in first.

by Super Saiyan Patrick on Dec 4, 2008 9:19 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What was AJ doing there?

It looked like he was running away

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 9:19 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Turnovers a double penalty against UCLA

Obviously hurts our possession, but it gives them an offensive possession they can work with. Terrible.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Dec 4, 2008 9:20 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Terrible transition defense

and Connor is pissing me off. He’s taken 5 shots and they’ve ALL been for three. Are you kidding me? Whatever happened to that sky hook? He’s anything but an inside presence at this point.

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 9:21 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Really need a bucket here

It doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as you come in first.

by Super Saiyan Patrick on Dec 4, 2008 9:24 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Crap Mason, missing layups?

It doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as you come in first.

by Super Saiyan Patrick on Dec 4, 2008 9:24 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You have to make that mason

And we can not get a defensive board

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 9:25 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I have to say

right now neither team looks like they are top 10 teams. Either that or college basketball is just weak this year.

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 9:29 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Get out of this zone immediately

Makes no sense at all for this UCLA team. There’s no Kevin Love that I can see. C’mon Rick.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Dec 4, 2008 9:25 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rick must have listened

I think we went to man right after that

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 9:26 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

2-3 zone = bad rebounding

Our sucky offense is costing us points and giving up points.

Now I see why the Pomeroy offensive efficiency is so important. We must rank pretty low in that stat this year.

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 9:25 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good grief

It doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as you come in first.

by Super Saiyan Patrick on Dec 4, 2008 9:26 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Keefe's

widows peak is Eddie Munster like

by shadyrock on Dec 4, 2008 9:29 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ugh, Roll

Can’t stand that guy

It doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as you come in first.

by Super Saiyan Patrick on Dec 4, 2008 9:31 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That has to be a foul!!

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 9:31 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Damo

took the kill shot last year. That was one of the top thrills last year – DJ to Damo

by shadyrock on Dec 4, 2008 9:33 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Butt

That’s the offense we’re running right now.

by Horn Brain on Dec 4, 2008 9:33 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Butt Offense

I’ve really been a fan of Barnes’ Butt Offense. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems it leads to turnovers and bad shots, handing points to the other team.

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 9:36 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Chappy

Pisses me off. He has his virtues, but he’s like Connor a coupule years ago. Many, many moments which drive me insane.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Dec 4, 2008 9:35 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Connor's driving me crazy today...

He is too reliant on the three point shot. He has to develop a more all-around offensive game.

by the1austin on Dec 4, 2008 9:36 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Free throws!

They are free!

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 9:36 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bilas

suggesting deportation

by shadyrock on Dec 4, 2008 9:38 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

REBOUND

It doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as you come in first.

by Super Saiyan Patrick on Dec 4, 2008 9:39 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Poor rebounding, and poor perimeter defense

We are giving up a ton of open looks for three.

This could’ve been a blowout if they make their threes. It could turn out to be one.

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 9:39 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I;m thinking the same thing...

I remember last year the guy always seemed to have a sense of urgency. Has he even broken a sweat today? Very passive game from him.

by the1austin on Dec 4, 2008 9:41 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey, they made a shot!

It doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as you come in first.

by Super Saiyan Patrick on Dec 4, 2008 9:43 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow, Johnson with a pretty shot

It doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as you come in first.

by Super Saiyan Patrick on Dec 4, 2008 9:45 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Everytime Gary shoots I hold my breath.

I’m still convinced he’s a football player playing basketball.

by the1austin on Dec 4, 2008 9:45 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Travel anyone?

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 9:45 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Confirmed

It doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as you come in first.

by Super Saiyan Patrick on Dec 4, 2008 9:46 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Way to quick of a shot!

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Dec 4, 2008 9:46 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

WTF James

another great steal by DMas

by Not Now Chief on Dec 4, 2008 9:46 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

WTF?

Why did UCLA get the ball after that?

James can make threes, but I wish he could go inside.

by goingforthecorner on Dec 4, 2008 9:46 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs