Texas Basketball: Horns Hammer Hogs 79-46
by Peter Bean on Jan 5, 2011 9:26 AM CST
in Texas Longhorns Basketball
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Rick Barnes spent his post-game radio interview singing the praises of his seniors after Texas' 79-46 rout of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Gary Johnson scored 13 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, Jai Lucas hit three of four three pointers in scoring 13 points and grabbing 6 boards, Matt Hill had 3 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks, and Dogus Balbay anchored a suffocating Longhorns defense with an inspiring 5 steals in just 10 minutes of play. Texas had 13 steals and 8 blocks on the night and forced 23 Arkansas turnovers, while committing just 10 turnovers themselves.
Texas wasn't particularly great on the offensive end, but they were effective for the majority of the game, and demonstrated their understanding of how to attack Arkansas, which forewent the zone defense they have been playing for most of this season to test Texas straight up in man. That in itself is notable, as fans no doubt remember that the book on defending Texas has been to pack in a zone. You can't do that against this Longhorns team, both because of the shooters on the floor and the exponential improvement in Barnes' approach to attacking zone defenses.
All in all, it was a mismatch, and while the Arkansas team Texas ran out of the gym was not a good one, heading into this season none of us would have predicted that this UT squad was so drastically better as to blow out the Hogs. We're a very good team that keeps getting better, and has much higher potential than was imagined in November. There's ample credit to be shared between Rick Barnes, Todd Wright, the fantastic freshmen, and the impressive improvement from Hamilton, Brown, and Johnson.
This is as fun a Texas team to watch since 2006-07.
Next Game: Saturday at home vs UCONN
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Glad to hear you could make the game
And for our newest paying members who may not be familiar with PB’s lexicon.
forewent
1. Omit or decline to take (something pleasant or valuable); go without.
2. Refrain from.
Example: BON is something that I absolutely cannot forewent on a daily basis.
It is recommended to use this verb sparingly for extra emphasis.
This basketball team is thoroughly a delight to watch.
the present tense in the example is making me tense
forewent is past tense of forego…
I was counting up when I skipped from Three to Five
Which left me wondering where forewent.
Peter
I was with my dad at the game and he said Barnes and JCB were getting into it (I would assume more than usual, since he knows that happens frequently) on the bench before the midway part of the second half. I notice JCB didn’t come back in after this point. Did you happen to notice this?
Also, I wasn’t impressed at all with Hamilton’s shot selection. He was in full catapult mode tonight until late in the game when Barnes obviously told him to try to facilitate the offense more. One three point attempt would have probably led him to be pulled from the rest of the game, but he made an incredible defensive play to get back and highlight stuff some poor fool’s layup attempt.
Super impressed with Jai tonight. Gary played really hard and well. Tristan was an absolute man child the entire night. Brown made good decisions for the most part and shot well, though he took a few ill advised shots that got blocked.
Overall, great hustle and physicality from the Horns tonight, and with the talent and shooting this team has that can carry you a LONG way come March…and April?
Agree on Hammy's shot selection
but I actually believe he should be allowed to take those threes for the most part if they are in transition or if he’s simply not being guarded tightly enough. The reason is he makes a good enough percentage of them to where it’s worth a few heat checks.
by goingforthecorner on Jan 5, 2011 10:50 AM CST up reply actions
Good Comments
Lucas and Joseph did a super job of hounding Rotnei Clarke all night. Clarke ended up being a non factor – 2 three’s in the last couple minutes of the game and that was about it. Good agressive defense by everyone else too. Very impressive defensive effort.
I too was concerned about the JCB incident. He took a 3 pointer which he missed and immediately got yanked from the game and Rick chewed on him pretty good. I thought he had a clear, open look and it was a good shot. Maybe it was too early in the shot clock but something about it ticked Rick off and, as noted, JCB spent the rest of the game on the bench. Can’t really question Barnes too much because he is doing a great job with this team, but I can’t see getting into a tiff over one shot. Again, there is probably more than meets the eye but it is not good to see this kind of interaction between the coach and someone who needs to be a key contributor on this team..
by gcinthewoods on Jan 5, 2011 11:44 AM CST up reply actions
Lucas played his best game as a Horn
Rotnei Clarke would not stat at UT, but still you have to give Jai loads of credit.
Jordan hit half his 3 point shots
He hit 4 of 8 according to the box score. That is outstanding 3 point shooting. His real problem was on 2 point shots, where he was only 2 of 7.
A consistent problem for Jordan is that he is that is being matched up vs smaller, faster guards. While this is great for developing Jordan’s D, it makes it really difficult for Jordan to get open or drive. If Barnes would post Jordan up and make a point of entering the ball to him vs smaller defenders, Jordan would get lots of easy shots inside and opponents would be forced to guard him with a larger (probably slower) defender.
Wow
Was he really 4-8? It didn’t feel like 50% during the game to me, possibly because of the nature of the misses and some of the missed deuces. I agree he should have some leeway to take some heat checks or “energizer” shots, but I cringe every time I look over at the bench and Barnes is looking pissed about it (afraid he’s going to take JH out). Probably just paranoid after what happened last season.
Not too concerned
He and Rick got into it a bit, but we were sitting right behind them and it didn’t seem to be that big a deal. JCB pouted for a couple minutes, but seemed to get over it pretty quickly. He was engaged with his teammates and the game for the last 6 or 7 minutes – calling out plays, clapping, etc.
Seemed pretty routine to me.
You ain't hurt...
That's good to hear
I noticed earlier in the game JCB was really involved in doing something when he was on the bench. He was standing up and yelling at his teammates when they were on defense. Did you hear what he was talking about? I was impressed with his enthusiasm.
JCB
I came back from commercial and the announcers were talking about how J’Covan “had passion but needs to have poise” then they showed him yelling at Barnes..
What happened there?
Barnes Got Out Of Line
J’Covan had to straighten him out.
23 turnovers - the math
Clearly steal = TO but does block = TO as well? Or is a block only a TO if the ball ends up in the hands of the opposing team?
Still a Blaine Irby fan
by patienthornsfan on Jan 5, 2011 11:39 AM CST reply actions
I don't believe blocks are turnovers regardless of who ends up with the ball
but obviously, they are just as good as a steal if the other team gets the ball
by goingforthecorner on Jan 5, 2011 12:03 PM CST up reply actions
"I don't believe blocks are turnovers" is right
Also, the Razorbacks travelled like six times, and traveling does count as a turnover.
And beating the hell out of the Hogs is icing on the cake
As one of the folks who still remembers the SWC, I savor any time we beat Arkansas. Did I read that this is the largest margin of victory ever? That’s sweeter than bacon in maple syrup.
A good way to start 2010.
Simplicity is always the secret, to a profound truth, to doing things, to writing, to painting. Life is profound in its simplicity. - Charles Bukowski
Still don't know why
The refs did not T-up Strollin’ Nolan back in the day.
by DudeAbide on Jan 5, 2011 1:50 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
you mean 2011
never mention that other year again
by goingforthecorner on Jan 5, 2011 3:40 PM CST up reply actions
Too bad Reid Gettys did not call the game
His Jai Lucas man-crush could have reached new heights.
"forewent"
I always have a hard time conjugating old English verbs.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
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