Texas Advances to Big XII Semifinals
by awiggo on Mar 12, 2009 7:49 PM CDT
in Basketball
22 comments
Survive and move on. Survive and move is definitely the name of the game in March, and Texas did exactly that this afternoon over the Kansas State Wildcats, 61-58. The Longhorns (22-10) may not have done a ton right in their rematch with Kansas State, but it doesn’t matter because Texas came out victorious. The ‘Horns march on to face Baylor, surprising winners in the first quarterfinal over top-seeded Kansas, in the first Big XII semifinal on Friday. Tip time 6 pm on the Big XII Network.
Good:
- Dexter Pittman is putting on quite a show in Oklahoma City. A day after dominating the smaller Colorado frontline, Sexy Dex took it to the bigger Kansas State defenders just the same. He has been unguardable in two games thus far. Dexter went for 19 points and 20 rebounds in 34 minutes of action. He has been successful in gaining and holding excellent low post position while also showing good balance. And unlike the final regular season game at Kansas, Dexhas been able to finish most of his easy ones around the rim. If he’s got anything left in the tank, we could easily see more of the same against the undersized Baylor Bears.
- Hat tip to Varez Ward. After spending most of the last couple of weeks in the Rick Barnes’ doghouse, Varez came up huge off the bench as AJ Abrams was forced to sit in foul trouble. Ward attacked the basket off the dribble, finished near the rim over taller defenders, and played solid on-the-ball defense as well. Ward scored a surprising nine points with three rebounds, two blocks, and an assist in his productive 19 minutes of play.
- Smaller hat tip to Clint Chapman too. Chappy still plays soft too often but did come through with nine points, including a critical and one lay-up late in the game, a rebound, and a blocked shot in eight minutes.
Bad:
- There were two areas in which Texas struggled the entire game: turnovers and protecting the defensive glass. The long, physical K State defense forced 22 Texas turnovers! And the more aggressive Wildcats also grabbed 20 offensive rebounds!! In most games, those two stats alone spell doom. However, behind Dexter in the post and because of some awful field goal shooting by Kansas State, Texas advanced.
There really was nothing pretty about today’s performance except for the final score. Survive and move on.
Post your own game thoughts here.
Next Game: vs. Baylor Big XII Semifinals – 6 pm Friday, March 13 Big XII Network
My crashed computer is preventing further analysis. PB will be around this evening to preview the Baylor game.
0 recs |
22 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Bedlam Part 3 Goes to Oklahoma State
Number two seeded OU just got upset with two clutch James Anderson free throws with 2.3 seconds left.
The #1, #2, and #4 seeds have all lost in Oklahoma City so far.
Number three seeded Missouri takes on #11 seed Texas Tech next.
--AW--
by awiggo on Mar 12, 2009 8:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
So far the semifinals will feature the 5, 7, and 11 seeds
by Texas Wahoo on Mar 12, 2009 8:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Justin Mason.
Played, in my opinion, the worst game of his season. He was lost on defense, struggled with the K-State press, and other than a few assists, was completely invisible on offense. The way the Pokes and Baylor looked today, we are going to need Mason to play efficient basketball. We don’t need him to score 20, but we can’t have him dribbling the ball off his foot 3-4 times and failing to hustle for loose balls.
by the1austin on Mar 12, 2009 8:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
with the exception of 1 or 2 early games this season and the KU game
dude has gotten worse as the season has gone on
suprised that ward was getting some PT today
by greenspointexas on Mar 12, 2009 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was definitely the right decision
he played a big part in us winning that game. 0 minutes for Harrison Smith.
by goingforthecorner on Mar 12, 2009 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In the Rick Barnes era
when was the last time we “upset” a higher seeded team either in the NCAA Tournament or Big 12 tournament? I could be wrong but I don’t think that’s happened in awhile.
by goingforthecorner on Mar 12, 2009 8:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Usually because Barnes has had so much success that we are the higher seed.
by the1austin on Mar 12, 2009 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And because I don't think he normally puts that much into the Big XII tournament
Although with us sitting in 8/9 territory, maybe this year is different
by Texas Wahoo on Mar 12, 2009 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Barnes team typicaly go as far as the seed suggest:
Barnes is a great coach with a great record, but he still has not proved that hje is ready to move into the league of Bill Self, Tom Izzo, Coach K, Calhoun, Olson, Holland, Calipari, Pitino..
One hell of a program builder, recruiter, developer of talent, team builder….not so sure about game coaching and game prep.
by IUTex on Mar 12, 2009 9:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
not to worry fella's...
Baylor has been the cure-all for Texas teams year after year……….including this one. I see that long trend continuing in the semifinal matchup.
by silky51 on Mar 12, 2009 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Dexter can be better than DeJuan Blair next year if he wants to be. It’s clear the staff has told the guards FEED THE POST since the beginning of the Baylor game. I like it.
by A-Tex Devil on Mar 12, 2009 10:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Abrams' line
2-4 fgs (all 3-pt attempts), 0-0 fts, 2 rebs, 0 assists, 3 TOs, 4 fouls.
Am I alone in saying WTF? And don’t give me crap about “well we needed to feed pittman.” Our senior guard needs to step the hell up. 4 attempts? Seriously? If we can get him to work the outside while Dex works inside, I will have healthier blood pressure. Thursday’s performance from AJ was abysmal.
by BigTexBD on Mar 13, 2009 1:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
should have added to the line...
In 27 minutes played.
by BigTexBD on Mar 13, 2009 1:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You don't think....
…….Rick told him, “Don’t you dare shoot the friggin’ ball”? I’ve been an Abrams fan, however, his play recently has showed a sense of panic. Personally, I see Daddy Abrams’ influence hoping for the attention of a scout’s eye. Rick pullled A.J. back to reality!
--- All roads to the Big-XII Championship lead through OU/RRS. It's not just another game! We're all about championships here. ---
by HornChamps on Mar 13, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
instead of say, 2-of-11?
I would rather AJ be efficient with his three point attempts. The TOs are inexcusable from him, but he guarantees pulling at least one defender away from the basket and demands a switch or big man showing on screens.
You forgot to mention 1 steal.
He also made one of the two most important baskets of the game with his second half three, off a great pump fake, by the way.
by jimmer on Mar 13, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dex can't do it alone
What concerns me is the fact that as great as Dex has been, he’s not getting any help. His biggest contributors yesterday were Varez Ward and Clint Chapman. If Texas is going to win today, tomorrow, or next week, Damion James, AJ Abrams, Justin Mason, and Gary Johnson have to be better. When Dex is playing 30 to 35 minutes and just dominating people and we’re still struggling to put away Colorado and pull off a win against Kansas State, something is wrong.
I am ecstatic that this team has finally found an identity. The problem is that identity is one person, and it’s a person who cannot reasonably be expected to continue doing what he’s done the past 2 days if he doesn’t get some help from his teammates. They have to quit relying on him so much and decide to finally make an appearance in a postseason game. Abrams in particular needs to start playing like he’s only got a couple games left.
by bassale47 on Mar 13, 2009 8:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Offense needs much improvement
but I’d MUCH rather rely on Dexter Pittman than A.J. Abrams. That’s for sure.
by goingforthecorner on Mar 13, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dexter D
Somebody may have brought it up earlier, but besides Dexter’s offense, I’d say a real key was also his D down low, especially at the end of the game. I can remember two or three K-State lay-ups that got contested by Dex and the others in the last few minutes of the game. Those were crucial stops, especially with J Mason trying to pass the ball to the hotdog vendor every trip down the court.
Be nobody but yourself in a world that desperately wants you to be like everybody else.
by 54b on Mar 13, 2009 10:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 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.
