Game #3: No. 3 Texas vs. Iowa Preview & Game Thread
by txtwstr7 on Nov 23, 2009 8:07 PM CST
in Texas Longhorns Basketball
Email
PrintTexas Longhorns at Iowa Hawkeyes, Nov 23, 2009 9:00 PM CST
Game #3: Iowa Hawkeyes (1-2) vs No. 3 Texas Longhorns (2-0)
8:45 p.m. * Sprint Center * Kansas City, MO
TV: ESPN2 / Radio: 98.1 FM
While it might have slipped your minds (VINCE! HOUSTON! OILERS!), the UT Basketball team will be playing the Iowa Hawkeyes tonight in Kansas City. The game is part of the CBE Classic, and the winner will face the winner of Pittsburgh/Wichita State in the "championship game" tomorrow night.
As you know, Texas is being massive hyped as a Final Four contender. As you might not know, Iowa is expected to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten standings and has already lost to Duquesne and UTSA. Iowa is currently scoring 56 points/game and is ranked 326th out of 346 teams in Offensive Efficiency. That's bad, but it could get even worse, considering that Texas is currently ranked 1st out of the same 346 teams in Defensive Efficiency. Resistable force meeting the immovable object, if you will.
Tip-off is at 9 PM, and the game will be on ESPN2...at a bare minimum, you should flip over and watch this team during commercials of the football game. If you haven't had a chance to watch the 'Horns, this is your chance. I think you're going to like what you see.
Note: If you havent read the excellent "Gameflow" segments for the first two games from goingforthecorner, make sure you check out them out here and here.
Awiggo's Keys to the Game after the jump.
1. Play through James and Pittman: As hyped and as talented as the freshman are, seniors Dexter Pittman and Damion James provide the backbone for this year's club. When Texas is at its best, the ball will pass through at least one of them on each offensive possession. This is especially important tonight as Texas should expect Iowa to try to slow down the tempo and play solid half-court zone defense in an effort to limit overall possessions and post touches by the Texas bigs.
2. Protect the Ball: Freshman point guard J'Covan Brown has a tremendous ceiling but has been a bit sloppy in his first two college games. I'm not worried and you shouldn't be either; however, turnovers could keep Iowa in the game, at least for a little while.
3. Defend the Arc: Iowa is not a deep team nor do they have good interior size. In addition to capitalizing on Texas turnovers, the three pointer is the other way Iowa hangs with the 'Horns. So, far this season, the Hawkeyes have been abysmal from behind the arc, 29%, though.
Prediction: Texas 76, Iowa 51
171 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Start
Be careful with the dvr. Game starts 30 min after conclusion of Wichita State / Pitt. Probably closer to 9:15 pm central is my guess.
--AW--
Espn 360
Has it on playing. That’s what im using
IF you see a opportunity you take the opportunity
It's Hard to be a Spurs Fan in Dallas
by sportsfan900 on Nov 23, 2009 9:03 PM CST up reply actions
Iowa trying to slow the game down
Good point, and they’re not the only team that will try that this year.
One of the best things about a deep team like ours is the ability to dictate tempo. By subbing often we can push the ball on offense, and as for them on offense it’s hard to be slow and deliberate when Bradley/Ward/Balbay/Mason are in your grill.
Not worried about J’Covan tonight, but still worried about him turning the ball over too much against the better teams. We should all be hoping for him to improve in that category as he could be the missing piece. Lucas could also be, but J’Covan’s ceiling is higher.
--always Texas--
by longtimelonghorn on Nov 23, 2009 8:45 PM CST reply actions
Pitt defeated Wichita State, 68-55
Advances to championship game tomorrow night approx. 9:45 pm on ESPN2.
This is not the same Pitt team you remember—no Sam Young, no Levance Fields, no DeJuan Blair. This year’s wins before tonight are over Wofford (63-60), Binghamton (71-46), and E. Kentucky (71-60). All three came at home.
--AW--
Sometimes living on the West Coast is a good thing
I’m feeling for you guys staying up to watch the game from Texas.
the man, the myth, the legend.
Here we GO
GAMETIME!!!!!
HOOK EM HORNS
IF you see a opportunity you take the opportunity
It's Hard to be a Spurs Fan in Dallas
WTF
The Longhorn player just basiclly passed the ball to the Iowa player
IF you see a opportunity you take the opportunity
It's Hard to be a Spurs Fan in Dallas
10-6 Horns, under 16
Decent start. Horns a little slow with some defensive rotations but already looking for Dex and knocking down open jumpers.
--AW--
J'Covan
needs to find Hamilton who has already made one instead of jacking from 20 ft the first time he touches it.
--AW--
This is going to sound stupid
but how much better do you look when you can make shots?
The difference from the perimeter last year to this one is substantial.
--AW--
Not stupid
And as that reputation gets earned with opponents, the inside game for Dexy will be wide open
You ain't hurt.
Great question
No idea. Minutes even tighter for Mason and Ward and Balbay. I’d like to think that J’Covan has established himself as THE point guard by December but that may be asking too much. I think Barnes works in Lucas and Balbay behind J’Covan—Jai for offense and Balbay for defense.
We are so loaded. It is ridiculous.
--AW--
His energy level is contagious. Quite a spark coming off the bench.
"We don't freestyle Texas Fight, big boy." - Coach Brown
This is the first game I've gotten to see us play
and I’m already convinced this team is going to be special. So many scorers that can go for 20+ on any given night.
the man, the myth, the legend.
Who is calling color on this game? He needs to focus on NCAA basketball.
And STFU! A real big mouth. “I try to pattern my game on ….blah, blah, blah.” Mute.
"We don't freestyle Texas Fight, big boy." - Coach Brown
a recipe for disaster
"It's comin' home to Texas. It's comin' home all the way back to Awwwstin, Texas, baby!" -VY
by 2100 San Jac on Nov 23, 2009 9:28 PM CST up reply actions
I was just about to post, "they look like BYU on the floor." But thought better of it...not.
"We don't freestyle Texas Fight, big boy." - Coach Brown
26-13 Texas
DaMo pressed a little there.
Iowa having trouble getting a shot up in 35 seconds.
--AW--
Comical
watching Iowa trying to run a play against our defense.
by goingforthecorner on Nov 23, 2009 9:38 PM CST reply actions
vince update:
he just called pollard a bitch.
"It's comin' home to Texas. It's comin' home all the way back to Awwwstin, Texas, baby!" -VY
Settling for jumpers
is not how you take advantage of Pittman and your athleticism advantage.
by goingforthecorner on Nov 23, 2009 9:42 PM CST reply actions
Obligatory Pittman lost weight reference
WITH PICTURES!
by goingforthecorner on Nov 23, 2009 9:44 PM CST reply actions
Wow. Just a three point game.
Disappointing to say the least.
by goingforthecorner on Nov 23, 2009 9:45 PM CST reply actions
Balbay just took a three
Half court offense is gettling loose. Need to find Pittman or drive and dish.
--AW--
Good early challenge
need to learn how to deal with this stuff
Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis.
All tied up at Reliant to begin final qtr....17-17
"We don't freestyle Texas Fight, big boy." - Coach Brown
Surprised
Texas was rolling through first ten minutes. Then the turnovers started and the Iowa threes started dropping.
Horns aren’t looking inside enough and are getting caugh over roatating in the half court and giving up driving angles.
--AW--
You have got to be shitting me. Lucky basket.
"We don't freestyle Texas Fight, big boy." - Coach Brown
wow...studio guy just ripped us a new one
Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis.
Wow, tie game at half
Definitely a lucky shot, but Brown left too much time on the clock too.
Great half by Jordan Hamilton and good energy and passing from Balbay.
’Horns went away from James and Dex and our halfcourt offense struggled. Turnovers and three pointers.
In the second, need to do better job taking away driving angles and finding their shooters on defense. On offense, exert our will—feed Dexter and drive and dish.
--AW--
Really disappointed we're not running a full court press
When a team with little to no depth starts hitting threes, you’ve got to get them out of rhythm.
the man, the myth, the legend.
Wow...
…I didn’t think any team would put up 27 points against us in a ten minute span.
And I definitely didn’t think iowa would do it…
by txtwstr7 on Nov 23, 2009 10:06 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Feel sorry for Barnes
plenty of growing pains to deal with, despite immense expectations. Plug and play until you find something that works. I agree that we should start pressing some.
by goingforthecorner on Nov 23, 2009 10:06 PM CST reply actions
I gotta believe
Barnes is still experimenting. I don’t think he is worried but is seeing what works and who needs work. Plenty of time and no reason to think we won’t win.
Dexter and Bradley
there we go. The two best players on the team getting the rock.
by goingforthecorner on Nov 23, 2009 10:19 PM CST reply actions
11-3 run to start second
Dexter and to the rim. ’Horns not settling for jumpers in second. Defensive intensity has returned too.
--AW--
For those that care...tie game, 4th quarter 2 1/2 minutes left and VY is about to get the ball back
the man, the myth, the legend.
Defense really turning it on
Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis.
To the Basket
The threes by Jordan were nice in the first half, but this team is so much better going to the basket.
--AW--
61-46, under 12
And a ten second violation. Awesome.
The first eight minutes of the second half look like the first ten minutes of the first half.
Now, the challenge is play the rest of this game with the same intensity.
--AW--
Titans up 17-14 with :46 left
Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis.
Titans win again
Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis.
- If we do not score on fast break we try to get it to Dex, if that does not work we stand around and do not move without the ball
- Iowa motion offense allows inferior team to stay in the game
63-51 Horns, under 8
Nice follow by Mason after airball by Brown.
Texas starting to get away from feeding the post again. Need to find Dex or James and let them go to work.
--AW--
Well, I'm convinced...
Big Dex needs a touch every possession. He’s a nightmare for the other team on the inside.
the man, the myth, the legend.
Iowa now shooting 34% from the field
that’s more like it
by goingforthecorner on Nov 23, 2009 10:53 PM CST reply actions
I am glad we are playing with 5 players this year.
Last year we had one who ran around the edge the whole game trying to get open.
Don't get me wrong. I loved abrams. Loved his quick shots.
But you can do so much more with 5 players passing the ball around
We cannot have a first half against Pitt like we had tonight and expect to win.
"We don't freestyle Texas Fight, big boy." - Coach Brown
or did I not say that right. Did Purdue win?
"We don't freestyle Texas Fight, big boy." - Coach Brown
Beautiful
Horns really doing a nice job turning good D into easy offense. Also worth noting that is easier and more important to get that done when Big Dex is on the bench.
--AW--
he is what he is
Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis.
and neither has his stare during azz chewing.
"We don't freestyle Texas Fight, big boy." - Coach Brown
Rick Barnes
is going to have a long year watching these freshman makes mistakes. Hamilton and Brown especially.
--AW--
At least they'll be winning as they learn
KD and that group lost a lot of games that this team will win
the man, the myth, the legend.
Request for Awiggo/PB
I know you guys have been long time proponents of UT Hoops and have long campaigned for Hoops to be treated at the same level as football on this site. With that in mind, could you please put up the UT Basketball schedule like you have for football. I hate having to go to ESPN to check out our schedule. Plus it will give us fans an opportunity to check out other SBN blogs of rivals that we might otherwise not visit.
Anyway, just saying, please get the BB schedule up here. I was on the Kansas SBN site and they have theirs up (i know, surprise, surprise). However, we consider them our main rivals and as such should show the same respect to Hoops as we do to Football.
Hook ’Em!
by LonghornForLife on Nov 23, 2009 11:20 PM CST reply actions
Thanks for the quick response SB!
I don’t say this often enough, all you guys do a fantastic job.
Also, VY looked great tonite. Have the game on DVR and will definitely rewatch some great VY moments. Man he owns Houston….
by LonghornForLife on Nov 23, 2009 11:26 PM CST up reply actions
Copy and save to your desktop
"I live in the tower with Coach Brown." -Bevo
by run Bevo run on Nov 23, 2009 11:25 PM CST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
