Open Thread: #7 Longhorns and Razorbacks
by awiggo on Jan 6, 2009 7:23 PM CST
in Texas Longhorns Basketball
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Print#7 Texas (11-2) at Arkansas (11-1)
Bud Walton Arena (19,200)
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Tip Time 8 pm
TV: ESPN2
Kem Pom Arkansas Scouting Report
Austin American Statesman on the friendship between Texas freshman Varez Ward and Arkansas freshman Courtney Fortson
A few quick Keys to the Game:
1. Stay out of foul trouble. Arkansas is one of the best teams in the country (11th nationally) at getting to the free throw line. With Connor Atchley out tonight and Alexis Wangmene out for the season, the Texas frontline is really thin. Gary Johnson, Dexter Pittman, Clint Chapman, and Matt Hill must be able to stay on the floor for extended minutes. Look for Barnes to play Damion James at the four spot as well if matchups allow.
2. Get Back on D. This Texas team has struggled with transition defense in multiple games this season. The Razorbacks won't be afraid to push the basketball tonight in front of nearly 20,000 loud, Texas hatin' fans. Justin Mason and Dogus Balbay must recognize when they can crash the offensive glass and when their assignment is to retreat and protect against easy fast break buckets.
3. Play Inside-Out on Offense. The 'Horns are so much more dangerous when Dexter Pittman or Johnson get a touch in the post. Texas should lean on Pittman early, make the Arkansas defense collapse, and, hopefully, allow AJ Abrams and Damion James some open looks from three.
4. Make Free Throws. This is going to be a key in every road game the rest of the season. The Longhorns are not an efficient enough team on offense to leave points at the line. If tonight is as close as I expect, the 'Horns' ability to make free throws down the stretch could be the difference.
Hook 'Em
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dont know whether to watch this game
or the show KD is putting on against the Knicks
Again, I am relegated to the radio
which I really like, but any great visual information will be appreciated.
Ward attacking early
Once in transition and once in the half court. Nice energy from the freshman in his first start.
--AW--
Pittman with a touch
and the whole Ark team turns to watch. Nice feed to Mason then to James for the dunk
Early foul on Fortson. Nice.
--AW--
Texas letting Ark off the hook with perimeter jumpers
Finally, back into the paint and James scores.
--AW--
I realized I had the baketball koozie up until the 4th quarter lst night then switched, hmmm...
Hook'em
by TEXAS_FIGHT07 on Jan 6, 2009 8:17 PM CST up reply actions
13-8 Ark, under 16 tv
Not great on the ball D so far. Pittman with an early foul and a seat on the bench.
Texas has scored just about every time the ball has entered the post and missed every jumper so far. Gary Johnson with two touches and two bricked jumpers. Attack the freaking rim.
--AW--
Matt Hill
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a player at Texas who has less later quickness. He looks almost stuck to the floor on D.
--AW--
Limitations all around
Chap at least shows some potential at times. Hill is just slow. Period.
--AW--
Well
At least GJ didn’t take the 15 footer…again
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
2 on washington
I didn’t see it? Did he clear out?
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
16-14 Ark, under 12
Two fouls on Arkansas’s only big man. Time to insert Pittman and pound the paint. We’re about 5-of-15 from the floor with all our makes coming from the paint.
--AW--
Cold
Nothing going down
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
Ice Cold from perimeter
Both teams can’t buy a basket from outside.
Nice rebound by Pittman
Does Fortson have two fouls as well?
--AW--
Sutton
Hope someone’s driving him home.
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
Arkansas
is ICE COLD. This is ugly. If Texas was shooting halfway decent, we’d be up 10 easily.
20-18 Texas, under 8
--AW--
i'm offended by the ark coach's wardrobe.
that’s probably why texas is getting calls. the refs don’t tolerate used car salesman fashion.
Lid on the Rim
Bricked free thrown, Mason with missed jumper, Arkansas can’t buy a bucket, etc.
--AW--
Fortson looks horrible
Totally frustrated and out of sync. Really looks like a freshman. Fouls, turnovers, poor body language.
--AW--
29-24 Texas, under 4
AJ with a big missed three there. That would have shut them up and extended the lead to seven. Abrams still hasn’t scored.
We should be up by 10+. I don’t like that we’re letting them hand around at home.
--AW--
the calls have started to go a little more Rkansas' way
also, can someone check AJ’s locker? maybe he forgot to pack his shot for the game.
"that's why I don't play you"
rofl
In Mack Brown We Trust!
it's a gimmick.
I don’t watch games because of the announcers, but I gotta admit, I love the Jackson, breen, JVG combo. they call a good game.
sloppy as hell!!
"Football's so important in Texas. On the West Coast, it's a social. On the East Coast, it's a culture. Here, it's a religion."
-- Major Applewhite
funny how at texas, it all comes back to football.
I remember at the ucla game, the loudest the crowd ever got besides the last minute was when mack brown was on the big screen.
Good Coaching
Barnes called timeout to go two-for-one.
AJ missed but Texas got rebound to go two-for-zero.
Now, it didn’t work as all three Texas shots were bricks.
That was freaking UGLY. 31-27 Texas at half.
--AW--
Four point road lead
After that brick fest, I’ll take it. We stayed out of foul trouble, save Chapman, and got Pittman and Johnson involved early. Our transition D has been excellent as has the half-court D. Their freshman point guard was totally rattled and the Arkansas offense never got on track.
Unfortunately, Texas couldn’t buy a perimeter jumper. I think we were 0-for-11 from three and AJ still hasn’t scored. Given that, a four point lead on the road is fine.
If Texas heats up, this will be a double digit win. Otherwise, this will be a 40 min game and the first to 55 points wins.
--AW--
a little worried about washington coming back...
he seemed like a force early, but here’s to AJ’s shot coming back
Don't know for sure
But I seriously doubt it. The fact that Jai Lucas was offered and accepted a scholarship makes it a near certainty that J’Covan will never play for the Horns.
--AW--
shame. I hate when young guys blow a great opportunity.
still A LOT to look forward to next year. 2009-2010 could be an extra special year for longhorn football and basketball.
Points in the Paint
plus free throws may equal our total points.
Don’t know if I’ve every seen Texas score so many points in the paint.
--AW--
piss poor officiating
guys get mugged – no call then you get a call on a touch foul. it’s been going back and forth. texas gets a call, arkansas gets a call. it’s a box of chocolates.
I'm sure it's already been established, but their fans are classy...
and original…never seen the Horns upside down…
Worst. Fans Ever.
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
Texas 39-34, under 16
Nothing’s changed so far—ugly. Arkansas has no answer for Texas in the paint but Texas not efficient enough to pull away.
--AW--
What do you think about Rick Barnes' coaching lately?
My brother definitely questioned it during the MSU game….
by SneezyBeltran on Jan 6, 2009 9:26 PM CST up reply actions
Same as usual
Outstanding defensively, below average offensively.
I actually didn’t see the Mich State game, traveling over the holidays, but I’ve seen the rest.
Our celing is still very high but I thought we’d be further along offensively at this point in the season.
--AW--
It's always hard for me to question Rick Barnes....
but I’m with you, just thought we’d be a lil’ further along by now
by SneezyBeltran on Jan 6, 2009 9:29 PM CST up reply actions
Balbay plays tenacious D even in mid-air.
Can’t hit the broad side of a barn shooting, unfortunately.
45-35
I noticed that
Just like Tim Ryan’s fascination with “get offs”
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
I'm guessing
We’re 2-14 on finishinf breaks tonight
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
That is where Gary has to get better
Kick the ball out on the double or triple team.
Turnover leads to run out and crowd back in it. 4 pt game.
--AW--
We are by far the better team
Geez, put this thing away please!
In Mack Brown We Trust!
Slowest Big Guys in the Nation
This is the ugliest game I think I’ve ever seen the horns play. There will be fist thrown before the end of this one…
I was showing my lady the van comments. LOL.
She understands me. I think.
45-35
by Brian.HalcYoN on Jan 6, 2009 9:38 PM CST up reply actions
2 nights in a row....
I’ve taken over the TV to watch Texas sports….going to have to go to sushi tomorrow night to make up for this:)
45-41 Texas, under 12
How is this still a game? Texas is dominating the paint and no one on Ark scares me offensively. Horns dominated defensive glass and for th most part protecting the ball (no more jump passes, Balbay).
But we can’t score enough to pull away! Currently, just 33% from the floor. That is awful.
--AW--
In communist Russia, the sled pulls AJ.
45-35
by Brian.HalcYoN on Jan 6, 2009 9:43 PM CST up reply actions
In communist Russia
…Rocky pulls the sled and then beats Drago
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
The wife just said the Arkansas Coach...
…looks like he is about to break out into show tunes. That and something about liking hogs (is not Razorbacks). She can be evil.
45-35
Im glad Washington caught that one in the mouth
Im done with that big tool
Guaranteed to work 60% of the time, every time.
52-49 Texas, under 8
Pittman in game with four fouls and almost got whistled on both ends. Hopefully he can stay on the floor. Otherwise, James to the four and three guards the rest of the way.
Time to finish. Take good shots, rebound, and sink free throws.
--AW--
Jimmy Dykes sounding like an SEC homer
No one, even Tenn and Fl, is great in the SEC this year.
--AW--
Yeah, espn is way overrated!
And Jimmy Dykes ummm…SUCKS!
by SneezyBeltran on Jan 6, 2009 9:56 PM CST up reply actions
dex is officially in shape.
if he can run this must he’s ready! now just needs to learn to play smart easy catch and slam bball
that's my only big gripe with rick, he doesn't utilize time outs to control momentum
during the ucla game, our home crowd sucked, but when everyone did get to their feet, ben howland immediately called a time out, everyone sat and stayed seated and the arena was quiet again. i wish rick would use time outs a little more on the road.
NO PG
is really killing us. It’s almost like we are always a pass ahead or a pass behind. not in sync at all.
make #4 foul out
he’s been playing with 4 for so long
man i'm getting nervous...
almost like the Fiesta Bowl
I'm Sick
Unreal. Horrible coaching at the end. Down four extend the freaking game.
So disappointing.
--AW--
Celebrate all you want piggies
You still suck and you will never be as good as Texas at anything. Go home to your trailer and kiss your wife..errr…cousin
Guaranteed to work 60% of the time, every time.
good night boys n girls
im not gonna let this no name basketball team (ark) ruin my night, regular season.
Hook 'Em
the sad thing is how many rebounds we got too
could have easily put back for an easy two
the horns seem to have covered all the keys to the game tonight
except for that part about making open shots. that might’ve helped.
Key #3
It worked in that we got a lot of points in the paint, but we still could’ve fed the post more. Of course, one problem is our inability to feed the post well enough. Pittman, Johnson, and James are all capable of posting up their man. You would think at least one of them will have a huge matchup advantage in a game with their postup abilities. Unfortunately James is around the perimeter too much.
by goingforthecorner on Jan 7, 2009 12:30 AM CST reply actions
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