Quick Thoughts: Texas Loses at Kansas

by awiggo on Mar 7, 2009 5:47 PM CST in Basketball Comment 35 comments

In an all too familiar Texas vs. Kansas game, both teams brought out the best in the other. In another similar story line, Texas played out of their minds for the first half and built a double digit advantage only to see it all swept away in the second. Congratulations to Kansas and Bill Self. The 83-73 victory is the final piece of a 14-2 Big XII campaign and another conference title.

The loss makes the Longhorns the #5 seed in the Big XII tourney. Texas will get #12 seed Colorado at 2 pm on Wednesday in Oklahoma City. The winner will take on #4 seed Kansas State at 2 pm on Thursday. The Big XII tournament schedule is here.

Before we look too to the Big XII and the NCAA tournaments, a few thoughts.

Considering the opponent and the fact that the game was in Lawrence, the first half was Texas’s best of the season. On offense, Damion James was hitting shots and attacking the rim; Dogus Balbay took advantage of a legitimate defense and caused havoc in the lane; and Dexter Pittman was incredibly active on the low blocks. The Texas defense was almost as impressive. The Longhorns were able to keep Sherron Collins out of the lane, for the most part, found KU’s three point shooters in the half court, and limited the Jayhawks’ transition game.
As impressive as the first half was, the second half was equally disappointing. It was not just that Texas blew a seven point halftime lead; it was the lack of execution on both ends. Texas forgot to attack the rim off the dribble and missed countless easy ones near the rim. They also failed to get back in transition, which, to me, was the biggest difference in the second half. Sure, KU can score in the half court, but transition scoring is where they really kill their opponents and the second half was a perfect example. Collins attacked the rim in transition and either scored, got fouled, or kicked the ball to shooters on the wing.
Nice to see Gary Johnson back on the court. He doesn’t look 100% to me but his offense with Damion James on the bench in the second half kept the ‘Horns in it.
Dexter Pittman was huge. He frustrated Cole Aldrich on both ends and was an integral part of the first half success for Texas. I honestly think that Pittman looks like he’s lost even more weight and has a better defined body than he’s had at any point in his Texas career. For as important as he was in the first half, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the easy ones he missed near the rim in the second. He got the same looks in the second that he did in the first. The only difference was the lack of a finish. If Dex finishes near the rim early in the second, this game might have had a different outcome.
Texas probably loses without AJ’s selfish shot taking and turnovers down the stretch, but his play in the final six minutes didn’t help anything. Abrams was blanketed all game by Brady Morningstar, which is sad by itself, but AJ has to realize that Texas was still in the game, without his scoring. There was no reason to try to take over the game with forced threes and dribble drives. Know your game; everyone else does.
Damion James is a beast and a warrior. He can play for me anytime. He never gives up, plays bigger than his height, and can be an incredible scorer. His foul trouble in the second half was another big difference between the two halves.
Last, Texas gave a great effort today. KU is a very good basketball team and winners of 41 straight in Allen Fieldhouse. Texas knew heading into the game that it wasn’t going to be easy. Credit the Longhorns’ effort and heart. This is nowhere near Rick Barnes’s most talented Texas team, but it definitely another team that should make all Texas fans proud.

Hook ‘em Horns!

NEXT GAME: vs. Colorado (Oklahoma City) – Wednesday 3/11 2 pm Big 12 Network

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Come onnnnnnnn Damion James

What a performance by him!

Hopefully the scouts didnt see it today and he stays another year…..

by greenspointexas on Mar 7, 2009 5:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Dex

missing a ton of easy baskets probably the reason we lost. Credit KU for double teaming and frustrating him though.

by clra2 on Mar 7, 2009 6:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

agree

SLAM the D*MN BALL!

by Longhorns84 on Mar 7, 2009 11:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dexy is worn out right now

You can tell from his lack of elevation, as noticeably lacked much lift at all yesterday. Yes, he should slam those balls, or not, as was the case with one when he got stuffed by the rim. He has those foot problems that were discussed in the USA Today article, and also has trouble keeping himself loose in the hips and back — he’s given and received a beating his year in the post. He’s already played more minutes this year (442), than he did in his first two years (155 and 246). Those nearly 200 more minutes this year are the equivalent of five games. As good of shape as Dexy is in now, the combination of big minutes and the toll on his body are a large part of the reason he couldn’t finish those plays. Not to make excuses for him, but he can only do as much as his body currently allows him to do and finishing those plays just wasn’t possible with where his body is at right now.

by GhostofBigRoy on Mar 8, 2009 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What we saw today is why James is going pro

I’ll be absolutely shocked if he returns next season. We saw him at his best today. Nailing open threes, nailing midrange jumpers, driving to the hoop and finishing. He’s going to be a great fit on any team, but could really explode on a fast-tempo team like the Knicks, because of his shooting in transition and athleticism.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 7, 2009 6:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree about the potential that he shows in games like that

I’m just not sure how much NBA teams are buying what he’s doing because of his lack of consistency, particularly with his jumper. I think games like that probably raise his stock into the mid to late first round now. And that difference in guaranteed money probably makes the difference in him leaving or staying.

by GhostofBigRoy on Mar 8, 2009 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen to that

“This is nowhere near Rick Barnes’s most talented Texas team, but it definitely another team that should make all Texas fans proud.”

I hope the team feels proud and confident going into the Big 12 tourney. We have a good shot at taking our first two and taking revenge on KState in the process. I hope the Horns will take heart after this loss and play for a shot at a rematch against KU, on a neutral court.

by NYCHorn on Mar 7, 2009 6:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

James

It might have been a mistake to sit James for so long after that third foul. Unless I’m mistaken, he did not hit a shot for the rest of the game after burning up the nets before he came out. As he looks to the NBA, he needs to either find a way to cut down on the fouling or show he can keep up his game while in foul trouble.

All credit to Kansas. Self made the defensive adjustments he needed and his players hit their shots. They had a great crowd, a great arena — and some fine looking pom girls.

If we can coast against Colorado on Thursday, then we will catch a cold KSU Friday, and (hopefully) go on to face Kansas on Saturday before we are totally exhausted. A win there should get us a nice seed, no matter what happens Sunday.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Mar 7, 2009 6:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree about taking out James

I think Barnes needs to have more confidence in his players not fouling out or not getting that 4th foul. When he came back, he just wasn’t the same.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 7, 2009 7:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

New schedule

I forgot about the shift in the schedule so that we now start on Wednesday. How is it, I wonder, that we get G2? You would think that as the highest seed playing that day we would get the most favorable time, which would be G1.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Mar 7, 2009 7:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Times based on Day Two matchups

The matchups are in the same order the teams will be playing on Day Two so that all Day One winners get equivalent rest going into Thursday. Since Kansas, as the #1 seed, plays the first game on Thursday, the 8-9 game which determines KU’s opponent kicks off Wednesday, and so on down the line.

If the Day One games were scheduled in order of seeds, the 8-9 game would be the last game, and the winner would have to turn around and play KU on 12 hours’ rest.

by Hopkins Horn on Mar 7, 2009 8:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I suspect Daddy Abrams....

……influence upon A.J.’s game lately.

Time for him to prepare for reality. A.J.’s paychecks will come from Europe. No amount of showboating is going to change that fact.

I’ve been one of A.J.’s biggest fans since his junior season at McNeil.

--- 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 7, 2009 9:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't be surprised if he just stayed in Austin and played for the Toros

I think as an undrafted player, he could at least try out for a summer league team.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 7, 2009 9:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He is better off to go to Europe and make a little money.

by IUTex on Mar 7, 2009 9:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure if he'd even make a Euro team, but we'll see

by goingforthecorner on Mar 8, 2009 1:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

WEve gota good path til the semifinal where we will mostlikely face kansas again

by MJY6087 on Mar 7, 2009 9:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't assume a W over KSU

by goingforthecorner on Mar 7, 2009 9:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Turning point of the game

I believe was when we were down 2 and AJ rimmed out a three that would’ve given us the lead. After the miss, KU got out in transition and we were unable to find Morningstar, who swished a wide open three. KU up 5, and that was a 6 point turnaround. Barnes was furious that he called a timeout and the refs missed him before the Morningstar three.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 7, 2009 9:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of refs

Not the most consistent refereeing today, but maybe the best we will see for a while. With all the conference tourneys happening at the same time, the talent pool is going to be spread mighty thin.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Mar 7, 2009 10:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pittman

Why doesn’t he just slam the D*MN ball instead of doing stupid lay-ups? I’m proud of the guy for losing weight, but he isn’t very athletic.

by Longhorns84 on Mar 7, 2009 11:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Actually his desire to slam the damn ball cost us 4 points

he blew 2 dunks. He was too far away from the basket so instead he was blocked by the rim. If he just layed them in, that would be 4 more points.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 8, 2009 1:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

well..

If he can’t dunk then Barnes needs to sit him on the bench. He can’t shoot very good, so if he can’t dunk then he doesn’t need to be playing. Texa has a PG than can’t shoot and a big man inside that won’t/can’t dunk….I can see why they struggle!

by Longhorns84 on Mar 8, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you shitting me?

Pittman had a bad day with finishing around the basket, but overall he’s still pretty damn good at it, and is by far the best big man we have on the team as far as scoring in the paint.

Not to mention that he did a great job containing Cole Aldrich, just like he contained Blake Griffin. He is a beast on both sides of the court.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 8, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pittman

he should be more dominating with his size.

by Longhorns84 on Mar 8, 2009 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what color is the sky in your world?

by SaintBevo on Mar 8, 2009 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pittman

he isn’t very athletic

Very interesting opinion…I think you would be the only one on this site who would think that.

-rBr-

by run Bevo run on Mar 8, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wrong wording maybe

he ’s rather clumsy with the ball.

by Longhorns84 on Mar 8, 2009 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ouch!

We did as good as you can ask for in defending Collins and Aldrich. They combined for 11-28 shooting. The problem though was their superior depth to ours. Their bench outscored ours 22-9. That’s pretty much the game right there. We got nothing from Smith or Ward.

Our 9-7 Big 12 record is Rick Barnes’ worst since 2005.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 8, 2009 1:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

smith and ward

True, we got nothing from them, but you can’t blame the players since those two combined to play the last minute in the entire game. That’s all.

Chapman has shown some good things, but he always follows them up with something moronic. James was at his absolute best in the first half today, but I agree with those who feel like Barnes sat him way too long with the 3 fouls. We don’t have a deep enough team to take such a conservative approach. It happened in another game recently, and it irks me.

Pittman did some great things but he did blow 3 or 4 gimmes. We need those 6 to 8 points since our offense can struggle to score.

A healthy Gary might have helped, too. If nothing else, he plays more minutes when he’s all the way back, and that keeps some other players fresh. Plus, he’s another guy who can help stretch the D a bit since he has some range to his jumper.

Saw some good things today. I like seeing Mason attack the basket a little more and looking to finish or dish. Dogus is just a beast as a shotblocker, he just needs to make sure he’s not picking up fouls on those fast break blocks he’s getting. He’s too valuable to our team to pick up fouls in those situations. However, you can tell teams don’t realize (yet) how good of a shot blocker he is! He has crazy hops!

by junglerules on Mar 8, 2009 9:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lots of good signs

James was on fire in the first. I like our chances against most teams when he gets 26. Mason looked like the 2007-2008 Mason, which is huge for us in the big dance. Balbay continues to improve, I just wish he could shoot.

I believe that how we do in the big dance will have virtually nothing to do with our draw. When this team plays to their potential and hits shots, we can beat most teams. In the first half, we made a very good KU team look stupid at home on senior day. Even when we hit the skids in the second, we hung with them for most of the time. When we can’t hit shots and play tenatively, we can lose to almost anyone – see Nebraska…

by SaintBevo on Mar 8, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

The sad thing is we also aren’t very consistent, so I think we have the ability to make a run, but the fact that we can’t put a few good games together in a row, it seems, will do us in in March. I’m hoping that the unfamiliarity teams have with us in March will be a plus. i.e. all these Big 12 teams know us inside and out, but I hope some teams that we face in the tourney don’t have our “offense” down pat, and we can use that to create more room for AJ, have teams not play off Dogus so much, etc.

Oh, and I forgot to mention earlier- kudos to the team for shooting 91% from the line yesterday! No way I would have thought that was possible earlier this year. It’s weird, though. Seems like we lose games where we shoot well from the line. Maybe it’s just me, though.

Hoom ’em….

by junglerules on Mar 8, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's defense this time

The first half the Horns played good defense and limited KU from scoring the easy baskets that drive their offense.
The second half the Horns defensive intensity dropped off some but more importantly KU played much better defense and that led to some easy scores on the other end and gave them the boost for rest of the game.

This might be illustrative of the season for the Horns. They can play as good basketball as any team in the country for a portion of a game. They just can’t play that way when ever they want or need to to pull off wins in close games.

The better teams can play that well for greater portions of the game or like KU can turn it up a notch we they need to at important junctures of the game( they cut the 14 point lead in half right before half).
This is why the horns have so many close and disappointing loses. The Horns can’t raise the level of play when they need to and dominate the important parts of a game.

by Xerxes on Mar 8, 2009 12:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL I'm guessing 54b deleted his drunken rant today

which probably deleted my reply to it automatically.

Ahhh… the beauty of being one of the big boys.

by goingforthecorner on Mar 8, 2009 2:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone else think that Chapman always seems to try to be the hero??? he’ll back into the defenders and take the turn around shot which 95% of the time misses.

by MJY6087 on Mar 8, 2009 2:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Looking ahead to Big XII tourney

Interesting that three big games from yesterday — UT-KU, OU-OSU, A&M-Mizzou — all have a good chance of being played again Thursday or Friday. Of those, I am most eager to see the Tigers get revenge on aggy. For Texas, just getting to a KU rematch will be sweet — we have to bump off KSU along the way.

by NYCHorn on Mar 8, 2009 3:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs