Quick React: Longhorns Win In Ames, James Grabs Record
by awiggo on Jan 13, 2010 9:47 PM CST
in Texas Longhorns Basketball
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PrintIn their first conference road game of the season and in their first game ever as the top ranked team in the country, the Texas Longhorns got a victory. Much like last week's trip to Fayetteville, this one wasn't pretty, but Texas prevailed 90-83.
Texas withstood hot shooting from Iowa State in the first half, including an 11-of-15 stretch, to be down just two points at the half.
The opening minutes of the second half made the difference in this one. Quickly after the break, Dexter Pittman got an offensive rebound and a put-back; Avery Bradley sank a mid-range jumper; Damion James scored a bucket; a sophomore-like Justin Mason got two more off a driving layup; and James finished the 10-0 run with a fast break dunk. As good as the five-for-five start was, it was the defense that made the difference. Iowa State was not prepared for the full court trap from Texas and coughed the ball up on their first couple of possessions.
At that point, Texas led 52-44 and had gained a lead that they would never relinquish.
The Cyclones did pull to within just two points later in the second. However, James and Bradley were too much.
Damion finished with 23 points and 14 boards. His eleventh rebound of the game made him the all time leading rebounder in Big XII history. Congratulations!
Bradley had his second straight off the charts game. Avery was 10-of-14 from the floor, including four three pointers, for a game-high 24 points to go with six rebounds, six assists, and three steals. He also led the team in minutes, which is becoming the norm.
High praise also goes to Dogus Balbay and J'Covan Brown. Dogus smartly attacked the sagging defense, didn't settle for jump shots that he was unlikely to make, and created well for his teammates (five assists/one turnover). Brown was also solid, especially in the final minutes. He protected the ball well, save for the non-call on the push in the back, made a couple of amazing driving layups, and was his usual perfect self from the line. His only sore spot was an 0-for-3 performance from behind the arc.
It is easy to see a seven point win like this and not appreciate it. Think again. Winning on the road is never easy, and with the strength of the Big XII this year, winning away from home may have never been tougher. I won't be shocked if Texas or Kansas wins the conference by going 8-0 at home and 5-3 on the road.
Post your own thoughts here.
NEXT GAME: vs. Texas A&M (12-4, 1-1) - Saturday, January 16th 5 pm ESPNU
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I was impressed
with the team’s confidence. Not once did I notice a single player looking worried in the first half when ISU threw everything at the Horns, including the kitchen sink. They are really playing at a championship caliber level. All bidness.
Thanks AW.
Jay Bilas on ESPN
He’s covering the UNC/Clemson game and just said “this year there are no great teams in Men’s Basketball”
Is he wrong?
He was making the comparison to last year’s UNC squad which everyone knew it would take a huge upset for them not to win it all.
If our team was coached by
Williams, K, Izzo, or any of the other big time name coaches everyone would be talking about how we are “the elite/great team”.
Fairly or unfairly Barnes is not looked upon as someone who can win it all. Hopefully that changes this year.
My question would be for Bilas, based on what?
you say UNC, but last year at this time they had two losses. At the beining of the season everyone thought UNC was a super team, but at this time of year?
hahahahahaha
Jay “VILEass”???? what more do you expect from that idiot?
-----@ Live the Dream---- 2009 @------
by LadyLonghorninOK on Jan 14, 2010 1:58 PM CST up reply actions
Nice write-up and a welcome Muschamp break
I caught only the second half, but it seemed in line with what we’ve done all year. James is an absolute beast. Trips says he’d take James over Patterson. Coming into the year I would’ve disagreed, but I’m coming around. Pittman got absolutely mauled in the paint with no calls. Tough game for him. Looked like Jordan had a nice first half but never established any minutes in the second. Balbay and Mason showed senior leadership today. Good second halves for both. I thought J’Covan still look mired in his slump. And easy to forget, but Avery Bradley…what a hoss. His play is so fluid and within the context of the game, it’s easy to miss it, but he’s something special.
Glad Dogus showed senior leadership
I’m also glad he is only a junior
"I live in the tower with Coach Brown." -Bevo
by run Bevo run on Jan 14, 2010 3:52 PM CST up reply actions
We need solid contribution from Pittman, but he just looked lost today.
I understand he was much use against quicker smaller line up of Colorado, but he seemed to be looking for calls instead of just playing.
COACH BOOM BABY!!
They were triple teaming Dex last night
And every time he got the ball and they hacked away on him, the officials would call him for traveling or something equally ridiculous. He was also in foul trouble early, and that hurt him on the defensive end.
But he did have some series that were pretty awful. He missed several point blank shots in a row, was sluggish going after rebounds, careless with the basketball. An all around disappointing performance, but I’ll grant that he was handicapped by the officials for most of the game.
Lucas, Mason, Chapman, and Gary
I think he will remain a defensive liability against tall guards. As the season wears on it is he, rather than Mason, who will get fewer minutes, at this rate.
Last year I thought Chapman was intriguing and I hoped that when he recovered from the flu he would get more minutes. Now we are in conference play and I do not think we will see him much.
Gary Johnson has blossomed and can be relied upon at both ends of the floor. I never saw him look this quick before this year. The shot is on-line and suffers from its flatness, but he could actually become a midrange shooting threat. Drexler shot flat in college, too.
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