Texas Notebook: Miami/Stanford

by PB @ BON on Mar 24, 2008 5:20 PM CDT in Basketball

The Texas SID office is kind enough to compile all sorts of notes and numbers following Texas games. Some are more interesting/meaningful than others, of course, but let's walk through some that caught my eye.

TEAM NOTES

Texas is one of only three schools to advance to the Sweet 16 in five of the last seven years (Duke and Kansas).

Just remember that the next time you hear someone try to dig Rick Barnes. Not only has Barnes been consistently successful, but he's done it so many different ways. Only a handful of programs have lost as much talent early to the NBA as Barnes has, but he's continued to reload without missing a step. A year after losing Aldridge, Gibson, and Tucker to the pros, he earned a #4 NCAA seed with a team starting four freshmen and a sophomore. A year after KD headed to the NBA, he's back in the Sweet 16 with a group few thought much of when the year began.

Texas has played 18 of its 36 games this season against NCAA Tournament teams and has a record of 14-4 in those games.

Of the remaining teams in the tournament, Texas and UCLA stand out as the two most battle tested this season. Stanford, Michigan State, and Kansas linger not too far behind, all with schedules among the Top 30 toughest. (Tennessee's non-conference schedule was very solid, but the weaker SEC dragged its overall numbers down.) Barnes deserves credit not only for the schedule, but for the results therein, as well. 14 wins against NCAA Tournament teams is outstanding, and one reason why we're playing into the second weekend.

Click here for the rest of this article.

Texas matched the UT single-game record for three-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game with 13 (vs. Iowa, 3-19-92). In two NCAA Tournament games, Texas is shooting 47.9 percent (23-of-48) from three-point range

This is terrific, of course, and I can't see Stanford beating the Longhorns if we shoot anywhere near that well again on Friday. The big question is what happens if the shots aren't falling. Can Texas do enough of the other things to beat a big, quality team like the Cardinal?

With 30 wins this season, Texas has matched the school record for most victories in a single season (2005-06).

It would be appropriate for this team to set the school record for victories, as both Andrew and I agree that this is probably Rick's best overall team. Win two in Houston, and there won't be any doubt. In our minds or the record books.

In two NCAA Tournament games, D.J. Augustin and Justin Mason have combined to post 29 assists to eight turnovers (3.6-to-1 ratio). In five postseason games, Texas has a 1.8 (81-44) assist-to-turnover ratio.

This is actually a big one for Texas - certainly in the turnover department. The Longhorns haven't been an elite shooting team this year, but they've done well with possessions by limiting turnovers and grabbing offensive boards. Again, if we shoot lights out like we did against Miami, Stanford's finished. If we don't, though... all these other statistics take on significantly greater importance.

Texas improved to 21-0 when holding its opponent 40 percent or below FG shooting.

We discussed opponent field goal percentage in the early look at Stanford, so this stat doesn't surprise me in the least. With Stanford, we'll need not only to keep their field goal percentage down, but make sure they aren't grabbing rebounds on the misses. We'll say this over and over this week: to make up for a poor shooting night, Texas has to limit turnovers, limit high-percentage looks for Stanford, and clean house on the glass. Easier said than done, but Texas has done all three consistently well this year. Lopez shots in the paint have to be minimized.

Texas has posted more assists than turnovers in 30 of its 36 games.

An interesting stat, but, it turns out, not a particularly meaningful one - at least in terms of predicting wins and losses. Among the 30 games Texas posted more assists than turnovers were five of the team's six losses.

Texas had four players score in double figures for the 13th time this season (12-1).

That's a pretty interesting statistic, and one that meshes well with how we've come to view this team. First, we're a group that rides its starting five pretty hard. And second, this is a very balanced offensive team. Texas offense doesn't live or die with one guy's performance, and has at different times been carried by different players. Or by excellent efforts by groups of guys.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
(Presented without commentary)

AJ ABRAMS

Tied the UT single-game record for threes in an NCAA Tournament game with six for the second consecutive game (B.J. Tyler, vs. Western Kentucky, 3-17-94)
Reached the 20-point mark for the 14th time this season and the 23rd time in 107 career games
Scored in double figures for the 28th time this season and the 66th time in his career
Made at least four three-pointers for the 12th time this season and did so by halftime
In his last four games, has averaged 22.8 ppg on 31-of-63 (.492) field goal shooting, including 22-of-43 (.512) on threes
Matched the UT single-game record for free throw percentage in an NCAA Tournament game at 1.000 (6-of-6)

CONNOR ATCHLEY

Moved to fifth on the UT single-season blocked shots list with 75, passing LaMarcus Aldridge (73, 2005-06) and Albert Burditt (74, 1991-92).
In two NCAA Tournament games this season, has averaged 13.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks.
Set his career post-season high with 15 points and matched it with 12 points in just over 12 minutes in the first half
Scored in double figures for the 14th time this season and the 17th time in his career
Has blocked at least one shot in 16 of the last 17 games and 31 of 36 games this season
Blocked at least three shots for the 15th time this season

D.J. AUGUSTIN

Moved to fifth on the UT career assists list with 442, passing Terrence Rencher (440, 1992-95)
Scored in double figures for the 32nd time this season and the 57th time in 71 career games
In five postseason games, has posted 32 assists to nine turnovers (3.6-to-1 ratio)
Led Texas in assists for the 31st time this season
Dished out eight-plus for the 11th time this season
Matched his career post-season high with three steals, and did so in the first half

DAMION JAMES

Moved to second on UT's single-season rebounds list with 384, passing LaSalle Thompson (370, 1980-81). He trails only Kevin Durant (390, 2006-07).
Set his career post-season high with 16 rebounds (previous: 14 vs. Kansas, 2007 Big 12 Championship)
Matched his career high with three 3-pointers for the fifth time
Scored in double figures for the 25th time this season and the 37th time in 71 career games
Registered his 17th double-double of the season and the 21st of his career, including three in this postseason (two NCAA)
Reached double figures in rebounding for the 20th time this season and the 30th in his career
Led Texas in rebounding for the 33rd time this season
Recorded at least seven rebounds for the 30th time in the last 31 games, and did so in the first nine minutes of the game
Has blocked at least one shot in 13 of the last 14 games
Pulled down six rebounds in the first six minutes of the game
Has made at least one three-pointer in 11 of the last 13 games

JUSTIN MASON

Has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.3-to-1 (30-7) in postseason play
Dished out at least four assists for the fifth consecutive game and the 12th time this season
Has made at least one three-pointer in seven of the last eight games
Had three assists in the first six minutes of the game

DEXTER PITTMAN

Averaged 8.0 rebounds per game in two NCAA Tournament games

0 recs | Comment 22 comments

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Comments

I thought..

we lost to USC in the second round last year? Splittin hairs cause I would not take any other coach in America. Someone enlighten me on our unfortunate exit last year.

by BurnOut on Mar 24, 2008 5:40 PM CDT 0 recs

that's what i thought too

TEXAS LONGHORNS #16 Jermichael Finley 36 rec 500 yards 2 td

by clra2 on Mar 24, 2008 5:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's right

We lost in the 2nd round last year. Original post didn't reflect that; should now.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 24, 2008 6:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

texassports needs a better editor

They posted one of DJ's stats in AJ's section.

Scored in double figures for the 32nd time this season and the 57th time in 71 career game

By the number of games, I'd take that as DJ's stat, not AJ's.

by afaeguy on Mar 24, 2008 6:32 PM CDT 0 recs

Just want to say thanks

To PB, AW and all, for all the great content. This is an exciting time of year, and I am reading everything there is to read about this Texas team as I daydream about another Final Four. You guys put a lot of time and effort into providing such rich content for this site, and you do it with intellect and style. I don't post a lot, but want you to know I am an avid fan of this blog and appreciate all you guys do.

by NYCHorn on Mar 24, 2008 7:11 PM CDT 0 recs

I'll second that...

I'm not an avid poster either, but I am an avid reader. You guys do a great job. I always look forward to your commentary leading up to and following big UT games.

Keep up the good work!

Hook'em from Los Angeles

by Longhorn in LA on Mar 24, 2008 8:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

I could not have said it better

myself.. Nice work NYCHorn.

I'm gonna adopt me a basketball player.. J-Mase be his name... OU SUCKS!!

by LadyLonghorninOK on Mar 24, 2008 8:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

Thanks, guys/gals

Appreciate it. It's not a paying gig, so these comments mean a lot. Believe me.

Appreciate the support.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 24, 2008 8:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

As a Long Time Admirer of Barnes

I can't help but think he still could get better if he played his bench a little more and utilized his time-outs better. From my time watching him at Texas and at Clemson, his teams at the end of the season always seem to tire out more than other teams.

I have seen him hold huge leads and not substitute or use his available time-outs to give his kids a break. Tim Floyd made the same mistake last year after the game with you guys against UNC when they had a 10 pt. lead. He called one time-out the entire 2nd half, when he should have called one around the 10:30 mark and then maybe another before the 7 min. TV one. Then used the other two later. Then Roy Williams did the same thing in the next game. UNC had a 10 pt and they were gasping, and Roy waits until the lead is gone to call his first time-out.

I have noticed this in the B 12 Finals the previous two years (this year I just watched it as a fan, the first half was too exciting). If you have a tired team, which he inevitably has going up against KU on Sunday, give your bench players a few more minutes than normal or make sure to use all your time-outs in the second half and spread them out to make their usage effective. I would do both, but to not do one or the other is criminal negligence.

I just don't get how coaches can know their teams, and not realize their kids are tired. Coaches like to hoard their TO's so they can look like geniuses (I blame Dean Smith for this tactic) in the last minutes, but if they were smart they would use them when their use would be more effective. Wooden used his time-outs in this manner and everyone ignores or has forgotten it.

by Blackjackhawk on Mar 24, 2008 9:30 PM CDT 0 recs

Well

I think you raise some interesting points. And I'd say that I agree with your points in the abstract.

I'm not sure that Barnes has many options this year in terms of substitution, though. When Balbay was lost for the year to a knee injury, we were officially out of guard options on the bench. And to be fair to Barnes, he's substituted very, very liberally in the past when the options have been available. Think 2003-04, for example, when we literally played 10 guys.

I do think, though, that with a team that lacks bench help, the point about using timeouts better is one worth thinking about. I think it's especially relevant in the games you've been watching - against Kansas. When those two teams get together, it's non-stop, up-and-down, high-quality basketball for 40 minutes.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 24, 2008 10:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

My earlier comment

about how I would take Collison over Augustin was apparently not just the musing of a deranged UCLA fan. While this may or may not lend more credibility, here is what Jay Bilas had to say:

Best Point Guard: Darren Collison, UCLA. It is hard to argue with those who would take Texas' D.J. Augustin as the nation's best point guard, but I would take UCLA's Collison without any hesitation. Collison is the most efficient point guard in the nation (shooting 51.6 percent from 3), and no guard puts better pressure on the ball to start your defense. When the game was on the line, it was Collison who hit the big shots.

Guess I'm not the only one who thinks so!

GO BRUINS. HOOK 'EM HORNS.

A Trojan can only be used once. A Bruin is forever.

by uclawarren on Mar 24, 2008 10:18 PM CDT 0 recs

For this fan

Bringing Jay Bilas as back up is not the way to go.

AW likes him more than I do, though.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 24, 2008 10:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Jay Bilas isn't the only one apparently

Found this in another article Bill Simmons did. Whether I like the guy or not, he actually made some sense here...

http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/...

Most common question from the past four days: Does Texas qualify for the Ewing Theory? Of course it does. I may be drinking the Kevin Durant Kool-Aid, but he's never won anything and Texas is doing better without him. These are the facts. While we're here, of any potential first-round pick remaining in this tournament, I think D.J. Augustin is the one who can help or hurt his stock the most over these next two games. Right now, he's either the second- or third-best point guard in this draft -- depending on how you feel about Darren Collison, who's been coming on like a freight train lately -- but he hasn't had one of those "In case you didn't know, I'm REALLY good" games along the lines of the way he demolished K-State earlier in the season. At some point, you need to play well in the Big Dance if you're a fringe lottery pick and he hasn't done it yet. Meanwhile, Collison played out of his mind in the Pac-10 tournament and rose his game when it mattered against Texas A&M (as did Love and Russell Westbrook). Either way, "Collison vs. Augustin" is going to be an interesting draft debate when we get there.

Still, for my money, Augustin is as good as it gets (at least at the college level). Academic All-American and 1st Team All-American speaks for itself.

by UTAth on Mar 24, 2008 10:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

What do they know, they get paid to write

Collison 6'1"
DJ 5'10"

and that is why he is behind Collison, right?

On a side note, isn't it great that DJ hasn't had a great game in the tourney and we are still demolishing people?

I am convinced DJ will play himself into a better spot in the lottery, and if not...how 'bout another year at the 40 acres

by jimmer on Mar 25, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up 0 recs

I think the fact

that Collison is a better defender is why. Augustin is a bigger offensive weapon than Collison because he doesn't have someone like Love in the middle. However, I think if Collison had to carry the team (which in some games he has), he could put up bigger numbers as well.

GO BRUINS. HOOK 'EM HORNS.

A Trojan can only be used once. A Bruin is forever.

by uclawarren on Mar 25, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up 0 recs

hmmm

Alright. I think of DJ as a decent defender. I didn't realize Collison was that great.

How important is distributing in the eyes of scouts?

Collison 3.8 apg DJ 5.8 apg

DJ would appear to be the truer PG. Not to mention he outscores Darren by 3 or 4 per game.

Not so much arguing, just trying to understand what they are seeing Collison. Just based on defending?

by jimmer on Mar 25, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

My guess is bias once again

They are somewhat different in styles of play. Collison is more of a shoot first guard it would seem, going by the stats. While, of course, DJ is always looking for the open man.

I'm not saying Collison is a ball hog. The stats dictate my point. Collison definitely has better shooting percentages from all aspects (FG, FT, and 3PT). Still, DJ leads him in just about every other offensive statistic.

I'm really surprised Collison doesn't have more assists from feeding Love. Looking at the stats, it almost seems like the ball doesn't go through Collison all that often.

So that's how I see it. They are two different types of point guards. I'm definitely biased since I've seen DJ play much more than Collison, but I would rather have a PG that can break down a defense and get the ball in the hands of an open teammate. DJ's size could also be a consideration for some scouts I suppose, but 3 inches isn't a huge discrepancy.

Oh, and on the defensive side, DJ is underrated. He has very good mechanics and puts a lot of pressure on the ball handler. He has forced more than his share of turnovers on the defensive end. Collison is definitely a good defender as well.

In my opinion, DJ has nothing to prove because he has already proven it. If Bilas and Simmons haven't realized it by now, then I label it bias. Both of these guys are great players and they will do well in the NBA. I just hope for our sake that DJ decides to go later rather than sooner.

by UTAth on Mar 25, 2008 10:50 AM CDT up 0 recs

One thing I forgot to mention - Durability

Something that hasn't really been brought to the forefront is DJ's unbelievable conditioning. He averages nearly 37.5 minutes a game and lately he's been playing all 40 I'm fairly certain. That has to factor in at some level. Also, his durability is impressive considering all the cuts and drives to the basket he makes. It seems like every other possession he's on the floor after taking a foul. He never complains though. He just gets back up and shoots his free throws.

One other thing that could hurt him is his lack of discipline on shot selection. Durant was pretty bad about that but he's starting to make better decisions now that he's in the NBA. Of the two, Collison is better at shot selection, but he also has a year on DJ. It's scary to think how good the DJ/AJ tandem could be with another year under their belt. They grew by leaps and bounds this year.

by UTAth on Mar 25, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

no kidding

considering their size, AJ and DJ are an unstoppable force.

thanks for the insights. the stats seem to favor DJ.

by jimmer on Mar 25, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up 0 recs

pg's

I think it's defense and size, at least in the eyes of the 'experts' and scouts. 6'1" is already pretty marginal in the NBA. People want to say DJ has a lot of Steve Nash in him, and I think he does too, but Nash is also 6'3" and that extra four inches helps him quite a bit. I agree thought with yall that Dj's defense is underated. And he's a student of the game and learner, so I'm sure he'll get better.

Collison though is damn good on defense, as is most of UCLAs team. He's also obviously really really fast and not at all afraid to go hard to the hole. But I think DJs got much more upside and will have a better pro career. The durability stat you mentioned is interesting. I also think DJs a much more natural shooter, even if Collison's %'s are higher now.

by Blitzburgh on Mar 25, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

DJ's shooting ability

I definitely agree that he has a good, natural stroke from anywhere on the floor. Like I was saying before, I think his lower percentage numbers have more to do with his lack of discipline in picking and choosing when and where to shoot.

For example, DJ has attempted 515 field goals and made 228 of them and on the three-point shooting front he has attempted 184 and made 70. Collison, in comparison, is 152-308 FG and 39-95 3PT. That's why I hope DJ comes back for his junior season (among other, more selfish reasons). I believe his shot selection has gotten better as the year has progressed.

It still amazes me that someone can find the time, drive, and determination to achieve what he has accomplished this season.

Me: "What the heck DJ; why don't you just go ahead and add a team National Championship to your ridiculous resume you've put together this season?"

DJ: "Sounds good, but can I come back next season and add a back-to-back Academic All-American and National Championship."

Then I woke up...

by UTAth on Mar 25, 2008 12:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Shooting

I think Collison has very good shot selection. Looking at the stats, he doesn't shoot as many 3s as Augustin. But again, with Love on the team, he is not really the primary weapon, while Augustin is, so he is not relied upon as much to score. He also was out with an injury earlier this year and didn't play until the game before Texas, if I remember correctly. He is now back in form and driving to the basket more (something which I complained about that Farmar didn't do, but it might have been because of his bum ankle that year), which has been really impressive, especially when plays break down or the shot clock is running down. He was especially impressive against A&M and Stanford (Pac-10 Tourney Finals) by taking over when the shot clock went down and hitting shots over much taller guys. I think Augustin has a quicker jumpshot, as Collison's seems to be a little more deliberate (which I think would favor Augustin in terms of the NBA, although maybe the height difference hurts Augustin). As for assists, Westbrook averages quite a few (I think more than Collison), and the way they play, I think with Love being the focal point, getting the ball to someone who can get the ball to Love is what they focus on. So Collison might not be the one who gets the ball into him all the time, but if you look at the number of shots he takes, I don't think anyone could accuse him of being a ballhog. Also, because Love is frequently double-teamed, it ends up being a lot more work to get the ball into him (and requires a lot more passing to other players).

I don't know if defense is necessarily something that can be judged totally by stats, as players who gamble more tend to get more steals. I can't speak for DJ, as I haven't seen enough games, but Collison is less likely to gamble than Westbrook. Westbrook is also more athletic, so I guess he can recover faster if he gambles on a steal. Collison has been an excellent on-ball defender (and he has longer arms than Augustin), and I think the fact that UCLA's team defense is so good is also what makes him look so good in the eyes of scouts. I think Westbrook, Mbah a Moute, and Collison are the best defenders on the team (Shipp is decent and Love has greatly improved throughout the year), but it probably makes them all look good that they have a coach who is such a defensive mastermind.

GO BRUINS. HOOK 'EM HORNS.

A Trojan can only be used once. A Bruin is forever.

by uclawarren on Mar 25, 2008 2:21 PM CDT up 0 recs