Texas Comes Up Short in Greensboro, Ends Season

Despite the loss, I’ve never been prouder.

Favorite Connor Moment: The Kansas Game and UCLA game would be obvious but I remember him hitting a huge 3 in the 3OT game in OK state a few years ago. After that shot I thought all his threes would go in. Going to miss the guy.

Favorite AJ Moment: It could be his 8 threes and 4 threes in 3 minutes just two days ago. The guy is a great shooter and may not be full of “moments” but he made some great shots during his 4 years at Texas. Going to miss his ability to make a 10 point game with a minute to go close.

Connor: last years KU game.

Ive always like AJ and Connor

but you have to admire how they’re so fundamentally sound. They have everything we don’t. They have a bunch of players that can shoot from anywhere on the court. They pass the ball well, and they don’t turn it over. They make their free throws. Despite us being bigger and more athletic, we only outrebounded them by 4, and they had 12 offensive rebounds, and some critical rebounds at the end. That’s the sign of an extremely well-coached team. I really hope Barnes emphasizes the little things in the offseason, because the little things killed us tonight. I mean think of all the game changing plays at the end, like Singler throwing the ball to the other side of the court, that led to the Gary Johnson loose ball foul. How many college players are heady enough to do that?

Just a heart-wrenching game. I hate it. I don’t like to get my emotions invested in a college game because they’re still kids out there, making so many mistakes you wouldn’t see in the pro games. I love those guys though, and wouldn’t trade them for anyone.

The lasting memory of this team is how it was finally able to somewhat recover from getting decapitated early with the loss of D.J. Augustin. They never replaced him, but Barnes and his PG by committee eventually turned this team into a solid one, rather than a team spiraling into oblivion, because at times it looked like it. Also I’ll remember Pittman emerging as the beast we hoped we’d see eventually.

November can’t get here soon enough. Well there is that football sport I hear people here enjoy.

Kid really does have a great basketball IQ and did spectacularly at playing unselfishly this season. His pure stroke and quick release may never be seen again at Texas. For sure he has the fastest release of anyone I can remember in college and may also have the purest stroke. It was hard for him to get an open look this year, but when he did he found the absolute bottom of the net on about 80% of those looks. Shooting the basketball is truly an art form and AJ Abrams is a master. Too bad he never got to his father’s height or he could have a chance in the Association. As it is, I know I will appreciate the four years he gave to Texas.

As for Connor, he was a victim this year of his team, flukey injuries (like the split tongue), and flat-out losing DJ Augustin. I think Connor could have a professional basketball career somewhere and I still think there is some growth left in his game. The stroke is there and the confidence just needs to follow. I’ll never forget the ice-cold look on his face after hitting that three against UCLA or his almost-perfect performances against KU and K-State last year. The running hook shot that made the brief appearance was pretty sweet. That’s definitely the Connor Atchley that I will always remember.

Many good memories from both of those players and I feel sorry for them that they won’t be a part of the next chapter of Texas basketball, which I think will be excellent. They helped build the foundation.

Horns forever, good luck AJ and Connor.

I love what AJ has done in his 4 years at UT but he was never good enough to be that #1 guy. He’s a great #2 but when DJ left and they expected him to step up and replace him he just couldnt do it. and that was really tha problem w/ this years team. no #1 guy. AJ and James are great #2’s, but when they absolutley needed a bucket they just didnt have a go to guy like KD, DJ, or TJ.

there’s pretty much ZERO chance Dexter Pittman goes pro, right?

After stumbling through most of the conference schedule, I was worried about this team in the Tourney. All things considered, I was very pleased with their performance against Minnesota, and most of the Dook game. A free throw here and a few less turnovers there, and this is a Sweet Sixteen team facing a school we’ve already beaten this year, not bad. Unfortunately, it was not to be, as the Blue Devils were more fundamentally sound and clutch than we were.
Perhaps the most encouraging sign, for me anyway, was the emergence of Sexy and Ward over the course of the Big XII and NCAA Tournaments. Regardless of what DaJa decides to do, I look for them to be great leaders and impact players next year and beyond (at least for Ward). With those two coming back, maybe James, as well as the Jai Lucas transfer, the return of Wingman along with the highly-touted recruits, I’m already ready for tip-off 2009!
Hook ’Em

had a piece in about free throws in the clutch. Pictured was DJ shooting on ou’s home floor. Just like the article states, that is difference in who moves on and who goes home.

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1153347/index.htm

What I have noticed though in most of the comments and from the the thread from last night is that we now expect to beat the Dukes of the world.
In 2005 or 2006 when we played them in our black uniforms and got our butts kicked by that big dbag JJ Reddick, we were vastly overrated. This time, we showed no fear and thought we could play with them.
We, as fans were mostly pissed we didn’t, b/c we felt it was our game. I truly hate duke and wouldn’t like to refer to this game as another turning point for the program. However, I truly feel, like others said that this could be a springboard into a really big season next year.
Circle your calendars for Dec. 19th boys! We’re taking down UNC!