this was definitely one of the main problems today.  Texas absolutely could not make the game go at their own pace.  Memphis dictated the flow from the opening tip.

I still thought Texas could play at that pace and hang with Memphis, but not when the shots weren't falling.  They just started to freak out instead and throw the ball away.  Though, of course, the shots not falling had a lot to do with that memphis defense.  I don't think AJ's dad had any broomsticks that could jump like Rose and CDR.

Oh, and I'm calling it right now: DJ's coming back next year.  His draft stock just plummeted because the NBA is full of guys just as athletic as this Memphis team.  And DJ couldn't handle them.  I think he dropped out of the lottery today.  That, combined with his stated desire to come back and the fact that his family seems to be pretty stable financially, makes me think we've got another year with him.  Here's hoping anyway.

Barnes did make good adjustments, and the box and one really confused Memphis.  That was the point that we needed DJ to figure out how to beat these guys and turn it on, but he did not, and that was that.

I didn't even want to come on here tonight - it just makes it too real that it is really over.

After the game, I came in from my TV viewing area in the garage and as soon as I ascended the steps to the back door my better half saw my face and she didn't say a word, just hugged me.  We watched Gladiator and I drank a bunch of beer.  I tried to forget, but I just can't shake that moment of optimism when we raced to within 5 at the opening of the second half.

I was going to go to San Antonio next weekend, even if I had to cash in a lifetime of birthday and Christmas presents.  Now, I'm just looking at this gulf of time before football season and wondering what me and my father are going to say in our emails tomorrow morning... "Good game" "At least that got this far" "Great season" "Wait until next year"?

I feel sad and empty.  We got creamed and I never even saw a real passion or drive from what is probably the best Longhorn basketball squad ever.  And now, that's it...

I caught most of the game on tv and off cbssportline, and your assessment is pretty accurate.  I think one thing we're forgetting is how thin we are at point guard...as in all of one.  Sure, Mace and Abrams can walk the ball up the court and pass the ball around, but only DJ can routinely pick a team apart and make plays for himself and everyone else.  He plays nearly the entire game, every game, and he just gets tired.  Over the season, it's shown up particularly on the second game with just a day in between.  I'm not sure how much he can practice for a game against a taller and more athletic team like Memphis after beating Stanford with a completely different gameplan.  I don't disagree that Barnes had the wrong scheme, by a long way, but I don't think there was much time to prep and practice the team for a new gameplan against a more athletic and taller team without further tiring the team, and DJ in particular.  Which is not to excuse the atrocity of a game plan that simply exacerbated Texas deficiencies.

So on to next season...if you think Texas was the smaller, less athletic team...guess what?... that's not changing next season.  We lose not much used Mooney and Lewis and gain Brown if he makes the grade in more ways than one and doesn't get himself into further trouble.  I expect both DJ's to return, and this team will definitely be better.  Matt Hill will be back.  Dex and Johnson will have a lot more game.  Wangmene will figure out where he needs to be on the court.  Has anyone seen Dogus Balbay?  I hope he's can spell DJ a lot of minutes and maybe have (2) point guards on the floor for a change up.  Texas doesn't have another point guard on the horizon.   But that might be enough to win it all next year...a fresh DJ and a more experienced front court.  Just for fun, think what it would've been like if Durant, Aldridge, and Gibson were still around with DJ running the point.

but even if we played a perfect game today, players and coaches included, I honestly believe we'd still lose this game.

PB seems to be most irritated with our decision to crash the boards on offense and then play man to man initially.

That had a big effect on the game, but the biggest key of the game was our offense, and how it was totally destroyed by a disgusting defense by Memphis. We've played UCLA, Mich. St., KU, and OU, and I thought we played against the best defensive team all season. Their defensive intensity was ridiculous!

Rose simply outclassed DJ on both ends of the floor. Size matters.

As far as DJ coming back or not, what exactly can he work on next year as a junior? Getting taller? Unfortunately you can't teach height or practice height, and as long as he's 6'0", he's going to get pushed around by bigger defenders at this level and next level. This is probably a ridiculous comparison, but look what happened to Roy Hibbert. His draft stock dropped significantly this year. I hope the same doesn't happen to DJ next year if he comes back, though of course I'd be happy if he did return.

It didn't seem like we really ran the plays where Mason plays PG and AJ/DJ runs around. At least, I wanted to see that more.

Also thought Johnson should've gotten more playing time. Near the end of the 1st half, he was almost carrying us, scoring what seemed like 6 points in a minute. Then Barnes doesn't play him until like halfway in the 2nd half when it was basically over. I was real disappointed in that.

I'm getting sick of this three-guard lineup especially against teams with size. I seriously can't take this anymore. My "AJ TO THE BENCH!" sentiments have now returned, as he was a total liability today. I don't care if he becomes Stephon Curry next year. Unless we're playing small teams, he should not be in the starting lineup, period! Let him come off the bench to give us scoring punch with his shooting. I am so tired of playing three undersized guards at one time. It's torture for someone like me who's defensive minded.

I suggested we start either Johnson or Pittman and send either AJ or Mason to the bench. I preferred AJ and I was justified. Johnson played well and didn't get the time he deserved. James needs to play at his true 3 position. DJ is a defensive liability also against bigger guards. Mason should've guarded Rose, but then who would DJ have guarded? Anderson? I'd actually be OK with that, but then it means AJ on CDR!? Again, get rid of the 3 guard starting lineup next year! I'd go with Connor, Johnson, James, Mason, and DJ as our starting five, with a huge emphasis on the post game (which must include James).

Enough of this Phoenix Suns garbage. You can't win 6 games in a row playing like that. Lets go back to true Rick Barnes basketball and slow it down, play inside-out, and dominate like I know we can next year.

Did anyone else think that playing in Reliant screwed with our outside shooting?  Against the horrible backcourt that was Stanford, we were 7-22 (32%).  Against the uber talented Memphis backcourt, we were 9-28 (32%).  

Outside shooting was the hallmark of this team, and they were equally miserable in Reliant versus two completely different opponents.  

I'm not making excuses, b/c Memphis had to shoot at the same baskets, and I agree with Peter that they probably win 4 out of 5 games.  

like the Harlem Globetrotters.

This is a team that almost lost to UTEP, UAB, and lost to a Tennessee team that was a bit overrated (See Louisville blowout).

There was no excuse for the game to be a complete blowout, and I agree completely that Barnes out-thought himself.  He is a great coach, and he will learn from this, but two years in a row he has allowed himself to get completely shell-shocked by a team that plays a style of basketball he obviously isn't familiar with.

No excuse for consecutive blowout losses.  This team had too much talent, and so did last years, to end their seasons the way they did:  Completely Unprepared for the speed, length, and athleticism of their opponent.