Celebration Thread: Longhorns Destroy Aggies, 81-60
by awiggo on Jan 19, 2011 11:04 PM CST
in Texas Longhorns Basketball
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PrintIn what has become a series completely dominated by the home team, it was the Longhorns turn to shine on Wednesday night. Texas throttled Texas A&M and cruised to an impressive 81-60 victory at the Erwin Center. With the win, the ‘Horns improve to 15-3 overall and 3-0 in the Big 12. The loss breaks the Aggies' 13 game winning streak and drops A&M to 3-1 in conference.
As noted in the Oklahoma review, tonight's affair was the beginning of a very tough, possibly season defining, five game stretch. Texas needed to at least protect its home court, and the Longhorns did so in style.
This was a team win from start to finish, and Texas won just about ever facet of the game. The Longhorns shot a scorching 58% from the floor, while holding A&M to 41%, a number inflated by some late buckets when the game was well in hand. A&M is an excellent rebounding team, but the ‘Horns won the battle on the glass 31-23. Texas also protected the ball beautifully and finished with 16 assists on 29 made buckets to just eight team turnovers. Finally, Texas attacked the basket, got the Aggies in foul trouble, and capitalized at the stripe. The Longhorns nailed, what has to be a season best, 86% from the free throw line, on 19-of-22.
One final team note, Texas led by a dozen at the break. However, this is a good Texas A&M team, and it still felt like the Aggies could still make this a game. Credit the continued scoring punch from Hamilton and Thompson but also the Texas defense with not allowing that to happen. The man-ball pressure and the help side defense are as good as I've seen in the Barnes era--and that's saying something.
If something could possibly go right for Texas tonight, it did.
Jordan Hamilton was unstoppable, 27 points on 10-of-14 from the floor. Tristan Thompson was a beast on both ends-18 points, six boards, and four blocked shots. Gary Johnson went to war and killed the Aggies with his face-up mid-range jumper. He contributed 14 points on an efficient 6-of-9 from the field. Cory Joseph didn't get into scoring mode until late but he added value in other ways. His defense was spectacular and he added four boards and three assists. How about J'Covan Brown-eight points, six boards, six assists, and just one turnover. Yes, please!
Tonight was thoroughly enjoyable! Consider this your celebration thread.
Next Game: at Kansas - Saturday, January 22nd 3 PM CBS
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Great win
Now lets head to Lawrence and take on the Jayhawks!.
Eight Walls
<> a new MMA blog from Fantake
Great recap
Fitting of a great, GREAT win. I thought coming if we did well on the boards we’d win by double digits. But I had in mind a 10 point win. We won by 21, and it could have been 30. And I officially love our chances to protect home court throughout the season, which as you rightly point out, is everything.
There was just so much to love about our performance, and though we played exceptionally well in almost every regard, we played with some of our less-than-optimal line ups for big chunks of the game. If we’d pressed with our best units start to finish, we would have utterly destroyed them.
As was, we ‘merely’ dominated them. We were the better team, and the Aggies will have to play as well as we did tonight to protect Reed.
So much more to say, but for now… J’Covan: I got nothing but love for you baby. So, so proud of where he is right now. And his game is shining because of it.
Hook ’em!
You ain't hurt...
I do not want to Jinx it
but so far J’Covan has done well. You were a staunch supporter of his early in the season, and while we all know he has the talent and skills, I did not think he had the mental character to make it this far without exploding.
While it is still not out of the question he has a meltdown, I think at this point he has proven himself worthy of the effort. The basketball equity he has built up with Barnes will be enough to recover if the day comes when his antics cost him a game.
Could not be happier to have been wrong thus far, and I hope he continues to prove me wrong all season.
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
Brown was money
His head seems to be in the right place. He did not complain or even show his stink face when he was called for his [obligatory] charge on his fast-break lay-up attempt in the second half.
Bobby Knight is definitely pro-Brown
he actually wants Barnes to give him more minutes. If he plays like this, I say why not. In a competitive game, Jai Lucas has no business playing a single minute over J’Covan.
by goingforthecorner on Jan 20, 2011 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
Sure, As An Announcer Knight Loves The Kid
If Brown had played for Knight [huge if, Knight would never recruit a kid like J’Covan] Knight would have choked him as a freshman.
Destruction.
Even aggy realizes we kicked their butts.
If we get by the Jayhawker, sky’s the limit.
That was sweet
What impresses me about this Longhorn team is how, USC aside, they demolish fair-to-middling teams.Michigan State on the road, Carolina, and now pooooooooooooooor Aggie.
It’ll be a different game in college station with the whistles going the other way and the crowd drunk on dixie chicken. But I have more confidence in this year’s squad than previous iterations. Let’s keep it rolling on Saturday in tbis season’s toughest game to date.
Simplicity is always the secret, to a profound truth, to doing things, to writing, to painting. Life is profound in its simplicity. - Charles Bukowski
by windycityhorn on Jan 19, 2011 11:20 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I wish Turgeon would leave Aggie
I really do like that guy, and I hate cheering against him, but my Longhorns fandom blows away my Shockers affinity. Great win!
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 19, 2011 11:32 PM CST reply actions
It's Hard To Hate Turgeon
Scott Drew on the other hand…
I can manage to hate him
His court demeanor is juvenile. And I do believe his whining about the refs makes his players think they are to blame for all their failures. Stupid fouls cost the Aggies dearly.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
It would have been great to see this in person
but all you damn alumni kept thousands of students from getting seats. It’s almost as if the athletics department doesn’t want students to get excited about basketball. Other than that, woo!
A perpetual problem
And continual source of frustration. We feel your frustration big time. Our hoops administration is pathetic.
You ain't hurt...
Thanks, Peter.
I don’t blame the alumni per se, I just wish they stuck the students up front a la duke or Michigan. That would give us a real home court advantage…
Oh, and the police threatening to arrest the mob of students wasn’t so great either.
The problem isn't the alumni
It’s the athletics department. We plan to spend even more time blasting on the problem this offseason than we usually do, but it’s a Sisyphisian task. Still, it needs to get fixed. This program is too good, and the problems not that difficult.
You ain't hurt...
by Peter Bean on Jan 19, 2011 11:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry,
shouldn’t have made it sound like it’s an alumni problem. Just venting frustrations seeing all of them comfortably seated while a small riot is going on outside. I don’t want to even the anger I felt when I saw aggies walking around inside the drum….
No, you're right
The alumni are a problem. Just not THE problem. The alumni are a problem because the athletics department enables them to be one. It doesn’t have to be that way, and it’s a chicken sh** reflection of our over-prioritization of football.
Not that I have anything against us pouring ourselves into being a football powerhouse, but we do a lot of needlessly self-defeating things. It’s the price you pay for being such a corporate, profit-obsessed athletics department.
You ain't hurt...
yea
10 of my friends waited outside in line for 2 hours, printed LASP tickets in hand, and didn’t get in. Then missed a chunk of the first half trying to get home to watch it. I do wish we could have more students right by the court to give a much more hostile home court advantage, a la Allen Fieldhouse, Rupp Arena, and Cameron Stadium.
oh side note
I did however go to pluckers right after the game. And THE Jordan Hamilton came in like 30 minutes after us and got seated right next to us. Everyone was clapping and cheering for him. Then a highlight of the game came on and everyone went nuts when it showed him raining a 3 ptr
What a great memory for you. Fantastic.
"That defense couldn't stop a nosebleed." - Bart Scott/New York Jets
Not ALL alumni are a problem
I can hold my own with you “students” anytime.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
Me, too!
We’re not all that old, and we’re not all fogeys who sit on our hands!
Watch out, I bite.
by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Jan 20, 2011 10:37 AM CST up reply actions
DAMN CLOUDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See ya later, alligator.
by Paleface Horn on Jan 20, 2011 12:18 PM CST up reply actions
It’s the price you pay for being such a corporate, profit-obsessed athletics department.
I think you hit this spot on, I’m glad I’m not the only one a little concerned about all of this profit-mongering. My perception of this may be incorrect but what I’m seeing is that squeezing $300M out of ESPN for football revenues is not enough, we have to squeeze a little extra out of basketball admissions at the expense of students who should be sitting courtside by all rights.
We are becoming in effect the New York Yankees of higher education.
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 10:42 AM CST up reply actions
How many schools actually let students sit courtside?
I know Duke is one? Are there many others? I was under the impression that Duke was the outlier, not us.
by Texas Wahoo on Jan 20, 2011 10:50 AM CST up reply actions
I think most schools have student allotments close to the court
Could be wrong but when I see places like K-State and Kansas, UConn, etc. it seems awfully rowdy with college students courtside.
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 10:58 AM CST up reply actions
Plus, and this is important too, the students at those places are always in camera-shot.
Even if Texas does have a big student turnout, they’re either on the wrong side of the court or on the end-line…or SOMEwhere. They need to be on the side so they’re always on camera. It’s college, dammit! Oh, and I’m old. :)
41-38 !!
Yes, but we are The Joneses.
--- All roads to the Big-XII Championship lead through OU/RRS. It's not just another game! We're all about championships here. ---
We're becoming the New York Yankees of collegiate athletics.
Greg Davis haikus; a lot like his offenses; always go sideways.
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 20, 2011 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
perhaps better stated
but isn’t the justification is that it’s all in the name of university revenues?
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
justification that..nt
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
That's a good question.
Why do you think we need to justify any of this?
I’m not asking to be argumentative, it’s just not something I’d thought about. I see nothing particularly wrong with monetizing athletics at the collegiate level. Far better, IMHO, than using taxpayer money to fund them.
Greg Davis haikus; a lot like his offenses; always go sideways.
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 20, 2011 11:03 AM CST up reply actions
Half The Cash Is Going To Academics
Everyone wins!
A difference in philosophies
kind of funny since I believe you’re an academic and I’m on the corporate side of things. I agree that profits are needed to sustain the programs but I don’t like to see it to the degree the university is pursuing it. Sustainability is one thing, greed and obsession with profits is another.
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 11:11 AM CST up reply actions
I see your point with regards to basketball games.
You’d like to see the administration ease up on monetizing basketball given the way we’ve cleaned up with ESPN and football lately. I personally was unable to go to the game yesterday because of the ridiculous lines outside Erwin Center.
I think, though, business-minded people, whether in corporate America or in collegiate athletic departments, are bad at walking away from piles of money; this is a good thing most of the time. That said, perhaps a different tact is necessary given that we’re a University first.
Greg Davis haikus; a lot like his offenses; always go sideways.
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 20, 2011 11:14 AM CST up reply actions
It's kind of like mini-JerryWorld
before long we’ll have a montrous big screen hanging from the top of our domed stadium. And then everyday people REALLY won’t be able to afford tickets for their kids.
And we’ll be 5-7 in football because we still can’t evaluate high school talent.
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 11:15 AM CST up reply actions
monstrous..nt
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 11:15 AM CST up reply actions
Haha
Didn’t we do most of that last football season?
Greg Davis haikus; a lot like his offenses; always go sideways.
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 20, 2011 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
Going to disagree a little
The alumni are a problem when they don’t show up. The administration/athletic dept is also a problem with their inability to promote UT sports other than basketball.
However, I blame the students at the same time. This was the 12th home game of the year and the first at which couldn’t show up two minutes before the game, draw a ticket, and stand in the O-zone lower level. That is pathetic.
There are only six more home games left and most UT students appear to discover men’s basketball for the first time last night.
There will be some of the final six games when the students show up but even in the meat of our conference schedule, the students will fail to sell out their ticket allotment. By my estimate that number is less than 2,000.
Imagine if we did put the UT students on the bottom 10 rows in the lower level, ala Illinois or Duke. Our home crowds would look even worse than they currently do.
I’m not saying that things will never change but students have to show up game after game before the administration has an incentive to change. Show up, be loud, sell out your allotment from November – February, then you might see the change you’re looking for, and then, we might see the student-led home court advantage that so many big-time college basketball programs enjoy.
--AW--
by awiggo on Jan 20, 2011 8:20 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree with you, awiggo
When I was there it was the same way. The only time the students ever used their allotment was when we played a rival or when a marquee name like UNC came to town. Any other game you could show up right before tip off and get into the O-zone. I won’t even get into the embarrassment it was when Game Day came to town and we didn’t get enough students to show up to make it look half full right behind the camera. If the students want to ever get moved to front and center, they’re going to have to show up game in and game out, regardless of whether we’re playing UNC or Iowa St. Until then, Bellmont is going to show deference to the alumni.
"We don't keep up with the Joneses. We are the Joneses." -Deloss Dodds
This problem is easily remedied
We put a man on the moon 40 years ago with computer systems that are dwarfed by my laptop.
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 10:48 AM CST up reply actions
This is a bit disingenuous.
The computers on the space shuttle are dwarfed by the iPhone. It’s not hard to get a computer into space, but to make sure it still works under the awful temperature extremes and radiation doses it receives is a bit tricky.
Sorry, I know you were just making an unrelated point, but this is a pet peeve of mine. The number crunching in the 60s was done by very smart computers and big computers on the ground. In space then as well as today, we put very simple computer systems because they are easy to maintain.
Greg Davis haikus; a lot like his offenses; always go sideways.
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 20, 2011 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
Difficult to qualify
NASA tended to stay pat with old hardware and software because qualifying new hardware and software was painful and risky. In addition, the latest and most performant chips are never sufficiently ruggedized.
Agreed.
I knew about, and glossed over, NASA unwillingness to modernize because of a (possibly justifiable) fear of the unknown.
Greg Davis haikus; a lot like his offenses; always go sideways.
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 20, 2011 3:41 PM CST up reply actions
If students don't show up by a certain time
then alumni get a courtside seat upgrade taken from the allotment, be it through text message or whatever. Put barcodes on all the tickets and scan them as people enter.
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 11:00 AM CST up reply actions
Duke students have to show up days/weeks before the game to get those seats.
Maybe we could have a rule that students that camp out for over a week for the game can side courtside.
by Texas Wahoo on Jan 20, 2011 11:06 AM CST up reply actions
Got it.
That I would be alright with. I think the thing that most people forget is the marketing/television aspect. When an area has huge,empty sections it looks TERRIBLE on television to the viewer, and reflects poorly on both the sports organization and the network airing the game. Good organizations make efforts to ensure that doesn’t happen via good seating and good camera shots. The Erwin Center doesn’t sell out all that often, but on TV it rarely seems that way because the camera doesn’t show the Mezzanine level and the alumni are always in the court side seats. Additionally, the students are under the basket, and even if the students section isn’t full, it seems that way on TV from the limited camera angle you get. The arena may not be rowdy, but it seems full and leads the casual viewer to think we have a great following.
Considering this aspect I think you basically have a a couple of options to ensure “empty area” syndrome doesn’t happen.
1) The student body starts showing up game in and game out, and Bellmont moves them to courtside knowing that they don’t run the risk of empty seats on camera.
2) An upgrade system like you mentioned, but I think you’d run into issues, especially if you end up having to sit stoic alumni amongst rowdy students.
"We don't keep up with the Joneses. We are the Joneses." -Deloss Dodds
Both valid solutions
There’s always a way.
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
Plenty of blame to go around
There is definitely plenty of blame to go around. I think it is terrible that students were turned away. It leaves a bad taste and just makes them less likely to come back, especially for the lesser games when we really need them. That said, I can’t see giving the students more court side seats until they show they are going to show up for every game. It is the very rare exception that students fill their allotment, so you can hardly blame Belmont for not setting aside more tickets for students, especially when they can’t sell them when they go unused.
So besides some of the obvious suggestions regarding more marketing and promotions targeted to students, I think they need to have the draw before the day of the game. That way, if students don’t draw all of the tickets, Belmont will still have time to sell them. This would allow Belmont to reserve more tickets for students, without losing all of that revenue if the students didn’t show up.
Of course, when I was in school, the draw was always a week or two before the day of the game, but I think they changed it because they had too many students draw tickets and then not show up. But back then, they had no way to track who drew the tickets. Now, I think they could track who drew tickets and whether the tickets were used. If too many tickets were going unused, they could devise methods to deter such conduct. For example, if a student drew an o-zone ticket and nobody used it (or did so too frequently), there could be a ban on drawing o-zone tickets for the next game (but maybe they can still get a Mezz seat).
But students aren’t the only ones that don’t come. There are way too many empty seats in the season ticket sections. That is why I also think season tickets should be treated the same way. If a season ticket holder doesn’t use a certain percentage of their tickets, they should lose their seats. That would hopefully prevent season ticket holders from only coming to 3 or 4 games a year. At least they would have to find someone to come to the rest of them. Of course, I think it would also be great if UT could come up with a better system for trading in tickets that can’t be used for tickets to other games.
I like the idea about the student draw
But I think you also would have to reward students as well. The way you describe it, it only punishes students who don’t use their O-zone seats, which I think is fair. But, it would be beneficial to also reward those that draw tickets and show up with, say, a higher spot in line for the next draw. That way you don’t have someone who comes to every pee-on we play get shafted and draw Mezzanine when we have a big name come through. There would be a lot of ins and outs to a system like this, and Bellmont would have to be really careful and be sure they get a near perfect system. Attendance is already bad enough, and you wouldn’t want a poorly run program to alienate the students even more.
As far as stripping season tickets, there is no way. Anyone who works in sports knows that season ticket holders are your lifeblood. You start giving them quotas, and many will likely say, “Screw it. We’ll take our money and go elsewhere,” but there’s no guarantee there will be someone in line to pick up the slack. It’s a great idea in theory to think that there will be hard core fans that will be at every game, but in practice I’m not so sure. Season tickets are a huge investment and not everyone can afford them. Unless you’re an organization like the Green Bay Packers with an epic wait list, you have to tread lightly when it comes to dealing with your season ticket holders.
"We don't keep up with the Joneses. We are the Joneses." -Deloss Dodds
i like the punishment/reward angle
We have some really smart computer guys at UT. Somebody should come up with an algorithm that would do that and they could sell it to Universities/sports franchises around the country. I’m sure it would never fly, but I love the idea.
Similar with the season ticket policy. I realize it is a pipe dream, but I think Barnes pushed hard for it several years ago, just like he pushed for separating football and basketball Longhorn Foundation donations. There were rumors that it was going to happen. I think more realistic, they could implement rewards for season ticket holders that attend all/most games. For example, your tickets get used for every single game, you get rewarded by being able to attend some special function. Or you miss only x% percent of games, you get some discount on next year’s tickets. Do it sort of like I think they do football tickets -mark up the face value of the tickets, but if you bought last year and went to x% of games, you get your season tickets at a certain discount (in football, I think they mark up the face value of tickets so that the visitors have to pay full price, but then sell to season ticket holders at a slight discount – knowing that basically our entire allotment is sold to season ticket holders at the reduced amount).
Anyway, we could discuss creative solutions for years (oh wait, we have…), but I’d just like to see them try something different
The University of Virginia uses a reward system for BBall draws.
Everyone who wants a ticket signs up online a week or so ahead of the game. The tickets are disbursed based on how many points you have. The way you obtain points is by attending non-football sporting events throughout the year. You get double points for attending certain (generally less well attended) sports.
Those people who spend the fall semester going to track and field and volleyball are certainly at an advantage. In addition, the bigger games are usually conference games later in the season, so you have a chance to build up points in the non-conference.
From a purely policy perspective
This principle really saddens me. When you think of Virginia the term “athletic powerhouse” doesn’t exactly come to mind. We’re The University of Texas, and we’re engaging in discussion of how to implement a system that less athletically gifted schools like UVA employ to get people to show up. This goes directly to PB’s point of how poor of a job our athletic department does of promoting basketball. With our recent success on the court combined with the fact that there are 50k+ students on campus there is absolutely no excuse for why we don’t fill the student section every week. We shouldn’t even be having this discussion on how to “reward” students just for showing up.
"We don't keep up with the Joneses. We are the Joneses." -Deloss Dodds
To be fair to Texas, it is only recently that there was enough demand for the bigger bball games to implement such a system.
Virginia has needed such a system because there has always been a large demand for a few big ACC games (Duke, UNC).
Very good points
The students absolutely share part of the blame. That said, we do such a poor job promoting the team that, again, ultimately I think the bulk of the blame goes to our administration/AD.
You ain't hurt...
Perhaps this will change
When the Hook ’Em Channel [or whatever they end up calling it] hits the airwaves.
I have a hard time buying....
…into that stance. Back in the Abe Lemons era, we had the same DeLoss and the same Erwin Center, yet we virtually never had a problem selling every student seat.
--- All roads to the Big-XII Championship lead through OU/RRS. It's not just another game! We're all about championships here. ---
Both sides are to blame...
Students shouldnt expect to get 4000 tickets to the A&M game. That’s just not going to happen, especially when they completely ignore the majority of the non-con games. However, as you know, we agree over the poor job that the Athletic Department does to promote the team. For me, last year’s impotence—especially with so many key players returning—was the last straw.
When it comes to student reactions, I do want to point out that I think the “big” games are handled poorly by the Athletic Department and Erwin Center. If you have 3000 students in line, why not tell the last 500-700 in advance that they simply are not going to get seats? That way, they can get home in time to see the game. What tends to happen is that people start freaking out and shoving each other when they hear that the wristbands are about to run out. Which is why the police start making silly threats. Just nip that in the bud, IMO.
This was never more apparent than KD’s last home game. The student line went all the way up Red River and—from what I hear—nearly crossed over I-35. I was told there was tons of pushing, shoving, and fighting when it became clear that thousands of them were going to be sent home. That doesnt benefit anyone.
Easy solution
Replace that sad “pep” band with the best one you can find on 6th street. Then crank it up. That’ll run out the fogeys and bring in more students.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
It Was Great To Have Quality Refs
A$M came in with the idea to play Goon Ball and intemidate our young guys.The refs stopped that stuff right away.
I haven’t been able to say this about the Horns for several years, but what great free throw shooting.
We had a little stretch where we let up on D and took a couple of bad shots but I don’t think that is the norm for this team.
This team is developing into, well as opposed to last year a team.BEAT KU
by TCB Orange Dino on Jan 19, 2011 11:50 PM CST reply actions
Yeah goon ball
We were definitely trying to intimidate you with moving screens
by miketag on Jan 20, 2011 6:21 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Didnt see it that way
I did not see much goon play, I saw overmatched Aggie bigs grabbing and moving on their screens.
Refs who got played by Turgeon
The reason the Aggies made that little run after the technical is they got a series of close calls their way. Coincidence?
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
19-22 from the free throw line
let us always speak about what just transpired
by goingforthecorner on Jan 20, 2011 1:32 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
What happened here?
And how can we make it happen again, and again, and again!??!
Watch out, I bite.
by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Jan 20, 2011 10:38 AM CST up reply actions
How's the leg?
Any news in the post game report?
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
Cramp
Tristan did not sit during the first half. Thompson has a great motor but Barnes needs to give the kid some rest.
Not gonna win many games when your starting guards score 9 pts combined. Actually thought we played decent defense in the second half, y’all were just playing loose and hitting everything. Not much you can do when Hamilton is hitting those turnaround jumpers
by miketag on Jan 20, 2011 6:24 AM CST via mobile reply actions
miketag
No offense, but the aTm guards only scored 9 points because on 4 shots we were slightly off our defensive game. And that was the story last night. We have a blue collar, stifling, defense. They WORK HARD for 40 minutes. Our guys are coming together. We are setting up for really good run this year.
"That defense couldn't stop a nosebleed." - Bart Scott/New York Jets
wow, a Barnes team play defense?
Never seen that before. Your blue collar defense held our starting guards to a whopping 4 points below their season average. We have had a deficiency at guard all year long. Shows up a little more when the opposing teams guards play great. Do not think our guard issues will be addressed until next year.
You realize you lost right?
You can say what you want, you can justify anything. The point remains you lost by 21. If your guard play sucks, are we supposed to call a timeout and ask you to better people in? You said your guard play sucked, TXS says we played such good defense you were lucky to get that, you counter with they scored their average. What are you trying to argue?
"I live in the tower with Coach Brown." -Bevo
by run Bevo run on Jan 20, 2011 6:48 PM CST up reply actions
I think he is simply refuting Stampede's claim that y'all had an incredible defensive effort last night
if we have had poor guard play all year long, and your defense only holds them to 4 points below their season average, that isn’t “stifling” defense
You won by 21 because you shot 66.7% from the floor and 50% from beyond the arc in the second half, not because of some incredible defensive effort.
Your average is 13 ppg.
You can’t really hold them to much below their season average. After all, they’re not going to score negative points.
Greg Davis haikus; a lot like his offenses; always go sideways.
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 21, 2011 12:37 AM CST up reply actions
You're wrong
The fact we held you 13 points below your season average proves it was a good defensive effort.
"I live in the tower with Coach Brown." -Bevo
by run Bevo run on Jan 21, 2011 11:23 AM CST up reply actions
..and this, too
Sophomore forward Khris Middleton:
On the Longhorn’s defense: Well defensively they were very physical and took us out of our rhythm. They executed their game plan and the score shows it.
"That defense couldn't stop a nosebleed." - Bart Scott/New York Jets
Fundamentals
About as pure an effort you will find. Limited aTm offensive rebounds, made a high % of FT’s, and scored a bunch of points in the paint.
Tristan is finding his groove. We have to continue to get him the ball down low early to set the tone.
Keep slapping the floor, Horns. We love us some defense.
"That defense couldn't stop a nosebleed." - Bart Scott/New York Jets
Over-Rated
I usually despise the “Overrated” chant but it fit last night. There’s no way that any team without a true road game in the book should be in the top ten at this point in the season.
Our guards completely outclassed the Aggie guards without having to produce much offensively, and as far as the Aggie bigs go — well let’s just say that Nathan Walkup would be Nathan Walkon at UT.
wow
maybe you should look at your own roster before you start talking crap about other teams
no team that counts Dogus Balbay as a starter should talk about the talent level on other teams
0 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 3 fouls
As bad as our guards can play, at least they score.
You obviously don't understand the role of a great defensive player.
Balbay disrupts. He shuts down key offensive players. He steals the ball. He is wicked fast.
Barnes’ teams are characterized and anchored by great defense. Dogus has earned his minutes – and he’s worth them. Last night wasn’t his best effort, by far. But I’d take him over the Aggy guards and the way they played last night.
Watch out, I bite.
by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Jan 20, 2011 10:40 AM CST up reply actions
no, I understand the role of a great defensive player
I was and am a huge fan od Marlon Pomepy.
Balbay is not a great defensive player. He might be a good defensive player, but in the times I’ve watched him, he has shown me little. He is an offensive liability, that is for sure.
At least I can admit it when one of our players is offensively-deficient, like Dash Harris. Harris is still a better player than Balbay, though.
Saying you understand something
and understanding it are different things.
Let me show you what I mean: “I understand the culture and philosophy espoused by Texas A&M University.”
Greg Davis haikus; a lot like his offenses; always go sideways.
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 20, 2011 11:09 AM CST up reply actions
Understanding Aggie Culture
There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don’t know we don’t know.
-Donald Rumsfeld
saying someone is a great defensive player
when they produce no steals and no blocks and someone actually being a great defensive players are two different things, too
Balbay had an off night
All college players do. He single-handedly destroyed OU Saturday.
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
I disagree...it wasn't an off-night
There was no one that Balbay HAD to shut down last night! Dogus is an offensive liability in most situations, and when he doesn’t have a premier guard to go against there isn’t much for him to do. That may be overly simplistic, so I’ll ask one of your hoops experts to weigh in.
41-38 !!
Did you watch the OU game?
If not, get some tape.
Watch out, I bite.
by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Jan 20, 2011 1:46 PM CST up reply actions
The first part of the second half ...
Dogus absolutely dominated. He completely disrupted the OU offense on multiple possessions in a row, preventing them from ever establishing an offensive rhythm. At the same time, thanks to forced turnovers, he created easy points for the Horns. He took a charge, forcing an OU starter to sit. It was a thing of beauty.
Remember, college hoops are not the same as the NBA. Players are valued for more than just scoring and rebounds, and defense can be paramount. We don’t love J’Covan for his shot nearly as much as we love him for assists, court vision and making things happen.
Same with Dogus. Against OU, he out-rebounded bigger men, destroyed OU’s offensive plan and created fast-break points. He can also take a playmaker essentially out of the game – which I hope he can do this Saturday against KU.
Watch out, I bite.
by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Jan 20, 2011 2:19 PM CST up reply actions
You're pretty much spot-on
The Horns did not need Balbay’s D against the Aggie guards, so he played only 8 minutes — less than anyone else who saw floor time for UT and a lttile less than half of his average minutes for the year. Brown and Wangmene took Balbay’s surplus floor-time.
I'm sorry, are you judging a player based on one game?
You either:
1. Are being intentionally obtuse.
2. Are being unintentionally obtuse.
Which is it?
Greg Davis haikus; a lot like his offenses; always go sideways.
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 20, 2011 11:27 AM CST up reply actions
It's an interesting point
I know he’s a UT icon but Balbay needs a jump-shot as much as TT needs to be more effective at the line. Their is no excuse for a person of his athletic ability not to have at least some kind of mid-range or deep game. He’s not the best at running a half-court set.
Having said that he sets the tone on defense with his hustle, which is 2/3rds of Texas’ success. He stops penetration and takes away a lot of pressure on the bigs. A and M bigs had problems setting picks against him because he is always moving.
Is he an ideal point guard no but is he effective yes.
by raptor rabid on Jan 20, 2011 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
Balbay vs Harris
Balbay’s offensive rating: 113.5
Harris’ offensive rating: 79.1 (lol)
Could it be that good defense leads to good offense for the team? Gasp!
by goingforthecorner on Jan 20, 2011 12:24 PM CST up reply actions
Sure, Aggie Guards Score
Just not in the Erwin Center.
I'll take Dogus Balbay and a 20 point win.
You can keep your 9 points and 20 point loss.
Greg Davis haikus; a lot like his offenses; always go sideways.
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 20, 2011 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
Agreed
Balbay’s contributions don’t show up in the scoring column. Same can be said for Matt Hill.
Balbay starts 1) because of his smothering D and hustle and 2) to give the mercurial Mr. Brown a feel for the game’s flow before he steps on the floor.
how have we not had a true road game?
While I agree that I do not think we are a top 10 team (said as much on our blog) I found it comical that some were chanting “overrated” when in one poll Tx is ranked ahead of us. Never understood the overrated chant anyways. Proves you are more interested in putting the other team down than celebrating your own teams victory. Always thought it was a commentary on the fans that used it, and their own lack of self esteem.
Wow, get a clue.
Any team ranked in the top 10 should not get hammered against their in-state rival of the same ranking. A 20+ point loss is an embarrassment for any top-10 team.
But I should expect such faulty reasoning from a guy who doesn’t know that the hallmark of Barnes’ teams is defense.
Watch out, I bite.
by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Jan 20, 2011 5:20 PM CST up reply actions
what?
But I should expect such faulty reasoning from a guy who doesn’t know that the hallmark of Barnes’ teams is defense.
Like I said ...
… Barnes has struggled to create an offensive identity with his teams. But they’ve always, ALWAYS been solid on defense. He teaches defense better than probably just about any college coach around.
Miketag doesn’t seem to know that … or much else about basketball.
Watch out, I bite.
by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Jan 20, 2011 8:04 PM CST up reply actions
actually
miketag is well aware of Barnes’ reputation as a defensive coach, as he mentioned above
You seem to be trying to make something up to argue here, just for the sake of arguing, but I’m not sure what it is.
Yes Texas fans have a huge lack of self-esteem
when it comes to the aggies.
And A&M has never had an overrated chant.
And also, just because you are ranked below us, does not give you a free pass from the overrated chant. You can still be overrated and ranked lower than another team.
And Bobby Knight Can Cram It With Walnuts
Hey Knight: how about keeping you right-wing politics to yourself (“Rick Perry has been very good for Texans.”) and doing a little pre-game prep. Contrary to your claims, TT is not a great foul-shooter (he did have an uncharacteristicly good night at the line) and Gary Johsnon actually should be taking those 10-15 foot jumpers.
Worst. Broadcast. Crew. Ever.
Thanks for sharing
Always appreciate your great contributions, DudeAbide. I’d call them “poignant”. Let’s move along as there are so many other great sites for politickin’. No sense in stirring up passions. Let’s be passionate about beating the Jayhawks.
"That defense couldn't stop a nosebleed." - Bart Scott/New York Jets
Criticizing Knight is "political"?
Knight and Musburger were awful, it’s obvious that niether one did any prep before the game. Sorry if you liked them, but they stink.
I miss Ron Franklin, was shocked to learn he had problems working with women.
Knight let his
friendship with Barnes affect the broadcast. Usually he is great to listen to as he offers a lot of insight. last night was just a love affair between him and all things Barnes related (i.e. Tx)
Or perhaps ...
… he was simply complimenting the team that was crushing the other team. Ahem.
Watch out, I bite.
by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Jan 20, 2011 5:21 PM CST up reply actions
I think Knight was saying Gary should not be taking 17 footers. He should stick to the 12 footers.
I generally agree with that.
As I Recall Gary Missed His First Two
And that’s when Knight got on him. Those shots were well within his range, he just missed them. He actually hit one from near 3-point line in the 2nd half that I thought was out of his range.
Knight just does not put any effort into game prep, as evidenced by his praise for Thompson’s stroke at the line before TT had attempted any foul shots. Or when both he and Musburger credited Balbay with a Joseph lay-up early in the 1st.
I disagree. I think he did a fairly good job overall. I think he provides some interesting insights, particularly on how offenses are run.
Clearly he prefers drives and layups and dislikes jump shots too much, but I expect that given the offenses he used to run at Tech.
I didn’t mind him getting on Gary for those shots because they did seem rushed and I did not think they were particularly good shots. One was on the top of the key but a little outside where he normally shoots it from and the other was closer to the baseline. I always feel more comfortable with him on the elbow.
As for the TT free throws and the Balbay/Joseph mixup, I don’t think that had to do with game prep. I think it had more to do with bad eyes. I thought at the time that Knight must have thought it was Wangmene (he had just knocked down a bunch of free throws with perfect form).
Obviously they shouldn’t be mixing up the players, but it doesn’t bother me that much. Hell, half of the football games I watch on TV have announcers that don’t realize what just happened until the replay.
by Texas Wahoo on Jan 20, 2011 10:12 AM CST up reply actions
We Will Have To Agree to Disagree Then
I agree that the first couple of shots Johnson attempted were a bit early, but he was open and they were shots he can hit.
I’ve watched several games Knight has called over the past couple of years, not once did I think he did a good job. I think he’s lazy.
Heck, I’d take Doug Gottleib over Knight. He called the UT/Tech game and the Colorado/Nebraska game, did a good job in both.
I actually like Knight calling our games
I have the opposite impression of him – he seems to be more familiar with our players than most of the other national guys. I also like his input on what each coach is “trying to do” and what he would have done in similar situations.
I also like his input on foul calls, etc. He nailed the Turgeon technical that was about to happen and gave his opinion on what he should have done instead (calling a time out to stop the momentum instead of trying to get a technical).
by Horncasting on Jan 20, 2011 10:52 AM CST up reply actions
My Recollection is that Musburger predicted the T
Brent also predicted the effect it would have (an Aggie scoring run) and Knight later had to admit Musburger was right.
As an aside, I thought Turgeon’s remarks after the game — did not slam the officiating, said he had to “make a fool of himself” to get a T and break the momentum — weer classy.
How good is Jordan Hamilton
That jump shot of his is as sweet as it gets. There should be more talk about him for college player of the year.
Kemba Walker and Freddette will probably be the leading candidates
and with Walker beating Texas, it’s unlikely Hamilton will get consideration unless Texas goes undefeated and Hamilton continues to explode.
by goingforthecorner on Jan 20, 2011 12:25 PM CST up reply actions
On To The NBA Good
Even when his shot is off (as in the first 10-15 minutes last night) he’s creating shots for others. And when he is on no one can defend him.
None of his shots even seemed to draw iron
Nothing but nylon, for what seemed like every shot. Gary Johnson was in that kind of zone, too (at least in the second half). It was just one of those nights when everything went according to script. A rare treat against anyone – but even sweeter against a ranked arch-rival.
Fig Newton: The force required to accelerate a fig 39.37 inches per sec.
J. Hart
by beast in bama on Jan 20, 2011 4:44 PM CST up reply actions
Upon the leaving the arena last night
there were three particular Aggie fans who I guess were upset about getting blown out and decided to best way to voice their displeasure was to yell “24-17” repeatedly. It ticked me off, but I wasn’t going to say anything especially with my wife there with me. And then this older gentleman all decked out in his UT gear starts yelling, “Yah y’all are awesome, y’all beat a 5-7 team by 7 points! Great job! Clap, clap, clap. That’s why y’all got your a** handed to you by LSU.” It was awesome and a great way to end the night.
Sports is man's joke on God, You see, God says to man, 'I've created a universe where it seems like everything matters, where you'll have to grapple with life and death and in the end you'll die anyway, and it won't really matter.' So man says to God, 'Oh, yeah? Within your universe we're going to create a sub-universe called sports, one that absolutely doesn't matter, and we'll follow everything that happens in it as if it were life and death.'" - Sam Kellerman
"81-60! 81-60! 81-60! 81-60! 81-60! 81-60!"
See ya later, alligator.
by Paleface Horn on Jan 20, 2011 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
three particular Aggie fans who I guess were upset about getting blown out and decided to best way to voice their displeasure was to yell "24-17"
They’re idiots.
It ticked me off
Got the reaction they wanted out of you and some other texas fans, though.
Yah y’all are awesome, y’all beat a 5-7 team by 7 points!
Moral victory FTW!!!!
Goes Without Saying
They’re idiots.
He said they were Aggie fans.
"81-60! 81-60! 81-60! 81-60! 81-60! 81-60!"
See ya later, alligator.
by Paleface Horn on Jan 20, 2011 5:29 PM CST up reply actions
You were one of the three aggie fans weren't you?
Sports is man's joke on God, You see, God says to man, 'I've created a universe where it seems like everything matters, where you'll have to grapple with life and death and in the end you'll die anyway, and it won't really matter.' So man says to God, 'Oh, yeah? Within your universe we're going to create a sub-universe called sports, one that absolutely doesn't matter, and we'll follow everything that happens in it as if it were life and death.'" - Sam Kellerman
Yea because you have a winning record at the bat cave against Texas
oh wait thats right…we own the series advantage overall, in Austin, and in worst college city in America.
Would that be similar to the moral victories that the aggies
took from putting up 39 on Muschamp’s vaunted unit and only losing by 10?
Sports is man's joke on God, You see, God says to man, 'I've created a universe where it seems like everything matters, where you'll have to grapple with life and death and in the end you'll die anyway, and it won't really matter.' So man says to God, 'Oh, yeah? Within your universe we're going to create a sub-universe called sports, one that absolutely doesn't matter, and we'll follow everything that happens in it as if it were life and death.'" - Sam Kellerman
Estimated +/- numbers
http://www.scacchoops.com/ViewHDGame.asp?hSchedule=8974&bView=0
Joseph +26
Hamilton +20
Hill +18
Brown +16
Thompson +12
Wangmene +8
Johnson +7
Balbay +4
Lucas -6
by goingforthecorner on Jan 20, 2011 12:27 PM CST reply actions
did the guy in the gorrilla costume show up?
i like that guy
by nyclonghorngal on Jan 20, 2011 12:39 PM CST reply actions
the mascot for the Phoenix Suns?
I hope that girl from the KU game last year shows up to future games.
by goingforthecorner on Jan 20, 2011 3:54 PM CST up reply actions
Hint to UT opponents
If you are going to let Alexis Wngmene catch the ball that deep in the post, don’t foul him. Let him try to bank it in, he’s much better from the foul line than he is shooting bunnies.
Thanks for this afternoon's laugh!
--- All roads to the Big-XII Championship lead through OU/RRS. It's not just another game! We're all about championships here. ---
Last night's game...
That was a prime example of why our non-con schedules are always loaded…
What a fantastic beatdown. I loved every second of it.
So A&M's poor guard play ...
… caused Texas to shoot nearly 60 percent from the floor?
… caused Texas to shoot 84 percent from the stripe?
… caused Tristan Thompson to have some monster blocked shots?
… caused Texas to have only 8 (or 7, if you don’t count the shot clock violation at the end of the game) turnovers?
Wow, A&M’s guards sure have a lot of control over their opponents and the outcome of the game.
Watch out, I bite.
by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Jan 20, 2011 5:26 PM CST up reply actions
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