Each week, the Longhorns normally have a theme. After losing 85-75 on the road against No. 14 Iowa State (18-7, 7-5), No. 24 Texas (16-9, 7-5) would probably tab this week “frustration” week. Here are 10 thoughts after the game:
1) Texas wasn’t consistently crisp on either end, and came out a little more sluggish than normal on the road compared to recent results. However, it remained poised, responded, and really competed constantly in a tough environment.
When Iowa State pushed it to an eight-point lead with 14 minutes left, Texas responded with a three, and eventually tied the game about four minutes later. With five minutes left, Iowa State led by six, but Texas responded and kept it within five down the stretch until the final minutes. In the first half when Iowa State jumped ahead 21-12, the Longhorns responded with a 12-0 run to take the lead.
Shaka Smart doesn’t believe in moral victories, but this week Texas, again, proved that it can play with anyone, anywhere. But it also showed that while it’s getting closer, there is still another level to reach, and that its best basketball is still in front of it.
2) Where did Texas lose this game? It wasn’t able to get over the hump, and Georges Niang, Monte Morris, and Matt Thomas combined to shoot 22-of-34 from the floor. Credit Niang for just being a player that’s nearly impossible to guard when he’s surrounded by a solid roster. Iowa State consistently forced smaller Texas guards to switch on to Niang in the second half, and he either generated a quality post look or got to the free throw line.
On one hand, you wonder why did Texas keep switching those screens? On the other hand, nothing it did really slowed Niang down.
3) Tevin Mack played his best game as a Longhorn, and he, along with Javan Felix, kept Texas in the game with some huge response buckets. The freshman from South Carolina finished with 18 points (6-of-15 from the floor and 5-of-12 from three), and also added five rebounds.
Although he didn’t shutdown Niang by any means, Mack really competed on defense and was able to use his length on occasion to force misses. He didn’t have success doing it, but Mack finally showed that hidden ability to drive and get a quality shot in the paint, which is encouraging for Texas. Tonight’s game could be a huge step in the right direction for him.
4) Speaking of Felix, he carved up Iowa State’s defense, especially its zone. The senior from New Orleans finished with 18 points (7-of-13 from the floor; 1-of-4 from beyond the arc; 3-of-3 from the free throw line), two rebounds, three assists, and one turnover in 35 minutes. He played with a ton of poise and controlled pace very well.
5) Texas is going to have a tough time beating quality teams on the road when Connor Lammert scores two points, grabs just two rebounds, and commits four fouls. It looked like his lack of defensive success on Niang translated to the other end of the floor.
6) Prince Ibeh battled foul trouble early and often. The senior from Garland played just 19 minutes. Those were a very productive 19 minutes (10 points, seven rebounds, one block), but they were just 19 minutes. Ibeh fouled out on a questionable call when he looked like he drew a charge on defense.
While we’re on the subject of calls, Smart’s grade for the Big 12 officials this week is probably the same grade I received when I took Advanced Human Anatomy at Texas the first time – a F.
7) Texas finished with more rebounds (plus two), more offensive rebounds (plus seven), more fast-break points (plus four), and turned it over just one more time. But Iowa State was plus-14 in points in the paint and shot over 50 percent from both three and two-point range.
8) Isaiah Taylor didn’t play poorly (eight assists and just one turnover; four rebounds), but he wasn’t able to finish in the paint at a strong enough rate, and forced the issue a couple of times when shooters were open. Plus, his counterpart finished with 15 more points.
9) Shaquille Cleare looked a little overwhelmed, and when you combine that with Lammert’s performance and Ibeh’s foul trouble, Texas really lacked some interior scoring.
10) Up next for Texas is a home game Tuesday (6:00 p.m.) against West Virginia.
1) Texas wasn’t consistently crisp on either end, and came out a little more sluggish than normal on the road compared to recent results. However, it remained poised, responded, and really competed constantly in a tough environment.
When Iowa State pushed it to an eight-point lead with 14 minutes left, Texas responded with a three, and eventually tied the game about four minutes later. With five minutes left, Iowa State led by six, but Texas responded and kept it within five down the stretch until the final minutes. In the first half when Iowa State jumped ahead 21-12, the Longhorns responded with a 12-0 run to take the lead.
Shaka Smart doesn’t believe in moral victories, but this week Texas, again, proved that it can play with anyone, anywhere. But it also showed that while it’s getting closer, there is still another level to reach, and that its best basketball is still in front of it.
2) Where did Texas lose this game? It wasn’t able to get over the hump, and Georges Niang, Monte Morris, and Matt Thomas combined to shoot 22-of-34 from the floor. Credit Niang for just being a player that’s nearly impossible to guard when he’s surrounded by a solid roster. Iowa State consistently forced smaller Texas guards to switch on to Niang in the second half, and he either generated a quality post look or got to the free throw line.
On one hand, you wonder why did Texas keep switching those screens? On the other hand, nothing it did really slowed Niang down.
3) Tevin Mack played his best game as a Longhorn, and he, along with Javan Felix, kept Texas in the game with some huge response buckets. The freshman from South Carolina finished with 18 points (6-of-15 from the floor and 5-of-12 from three), and also added five rebounds.
Although he didn’t shutdown Niang by any means, Mack really competed on defense and was able to use his length on occasion to force misses. He didn’t have success doing it, but Mack finally showed that hidden ability to drive and get a quality shot in the paint, which is encouraging for Texas. Tonight’s game could be a huge step in the right direction for him.
4) Speaking of Felix, he carved up Iowa State’s defense, especially its zone. The senior from New Orleans finished with 18 points (7-of-13 from the floor; 1-of-4 from beyond the arc; 3-of-3 from the free throw line), two rebounds, three assists, and one turnover in 35 minutes. He played with a ton of poise and controlled pace very well.
5) Texas is going to have a tough time beating quality teams on the road when Connor Lammert scores two points, grabs just two rebounds, and commits four fouls. It looked like his lack of defensive success on Niang translated to the other end of the floor.
6) Prince Ibeh battled foul trouble early and often. The senior from Garland played just 19 minutes. Those were a very productive 19 minutes (10 points, seven rebounds, one block), but they were just 19 minutes. Ibeh fouled out on a questionable call when he looked like he drew a charge on defense.
While we’re on the subject of calls, Smart’s grade for the Big 12 officials this week is probably the same grade I received when I took Advanced Human Anatomy at Texas the first time – a F.
7) Texas finished with more rebounds (plus two), more offensive rebounds (plus seven), more fast-break points (plus four), and turned it over just one more time. But Iowa State was plus-14 in points in the paint and shot over 50 percent from both three and two-point range.
8) Isaiah Taylor didn’t play poorly (eight assists and just one turnover; four rebounds), but he wasn’t able to finish in the paint at a strong enough rate, and forced the issue a couple of times when shooters were open. Plus, his counterpart finished with 15 more points.
9) Shaquille Cleare looked a little overwhelmed, and when you combine that with Lammert’s performance and Ibeh’s foul trouble, Texas really lacked some interior scoring.
10) Up next for Texas is a home game Tuesday (6:00 p.m.) against West Virginia.
