Men’s Hoops: Do you care?

[Drtxhorn]

No it really isn’t. Players don’t buy in to Shaka? Well how is he recruiting elite talent then?

He doesn't recruit elite talent when compared to KU, Gonzaga, Kentucky, Dike, etc. Basketball 5-stars are much diiferent than football recruiting. There are tons more 5 star basketball recruits than football. Hell, Will Baker was a 5 star recruit. He recruits decent talent because he talks a great game. He's a salesman. Not a coach. He's basically John Lucas. Great motivator but an extremely ineffective coach. Rick Barnes actually recruited better talent and was a far more superior coach than Shaka Smart. He's the Tom Herman of college BBall. He belongs on a mid-major program. Thanks to Steve Patterson, we made one of the worst hires in program history. If all you want is mediocre finishes in the B12 and 1st round NCAA tourney exits then Shaka is your guy. If you want a real BBall coach, bring in Mike Hopkins from Washington. Great coach and a stand up no nonsense guy that relates very well with players.

 

[cwillfromdatx]

What are you talking about? Our entire offense or lack there of for the last 4 years have basically all come from Bemba, Simms, Hayes and Allen because none of the gourds can shoot

I can agree with you on this statement as we have had good guards but they couldn't shoot to save your life. The talented bigs have been here but guard have been the one who usually lost the games. When looking at the issues for the Horns, it falls on the One and Done players. Hayes wasn't a one and done player but he was a player that the NBA drool over.
My Solution: Continue to recruit top bigs. Always recruit 2 great defenders per cycle. Always recruit 2 pg's (pass first, shoot second). Recruit 2 deadeye shooters. If you can get one from each group, You will have a great recruiting class. Bonus if you can find a guard who can defend, pass, shoot and have a 6'5 - 6'7 height frame.

 

[KChorn11]

Take a peek at his last 3 classes.

You mean the 3 classes that netted one lottery pick, what could be 2 more this year? Plus a 5 star big man that just transferred? Basketball recruiting is way different than football recruiting. Your not looking to bring in a ton of guys every year unless your Kentucky who turns over there roster every year. Most teams bring in 2-3 guys every year. Sometimes only 1 depending on your roster

 

[KChorn11]

He doesn't recruit elite talent when compared to KU, Gonzaga, Kentucky, Dike, etc. Basketball 5-stars are much diiferent than football recruiting. There are tons more 5 star basketball recruits than football. Hell, Will Baker was a 5 star recruit. He recruits decent talent because he talks a great game. He's a salesman. Not a coach. He's basically John Lucas. Great motivator but an extremely ineffective coach. Rick Barnes actually recruited better talent and was a far more superior coach than Shaka Smart. He's the Tom Herman of college BBall. He belongs on a mid-major program. Thanks to Steve Patterson, we made one of the worst hires in program history. If all you want is mediocre finishes in the B12 and 1st round NCAA tourney exits then Shaka is your guy. If you want a real BBall coach, bring in Mike Hopkins from Washington. Great coach and a stand up no nonsense guy that relates very well with players.

He doesn’t recruit elite talent???? Come on! It’s literately the only thing he’s been successful at since he’s been here. In 4 years he’s had 4 lottery picks, and has a couple more likely on the team this year. Shaka smart is actually a better recruiter than Bill Self. KU doesn’t recruit near the level of talent you would think a program like theirs would. Self is just a master at using what he has.

 

[Drtxhorn]

He doesn’t recruit elite talent???? Come on! It’s literately the only thing he’s been successful at since he’s been here. In 4 years he’s had 4 lottery picks, and has a couple more likely on the team this year. Shaka smart is actually a better recruiter than Bill Self. KU doesn’t recruit near the level of talent you would think a program like theirs would. Self is just a master at using what he has.

He's had 3-4 one and done lottery picks while Self, Few, Calipari and the Duke coach have had just as many while also developing twice as many 1st and 2nd rounders in the NBA. Even if you assume that he recruits "elite" talent, Smart still consistently finishes 4th or 5th in the Big 12 against teams with supposedly inferior talent. The dude can't coach at a high level. He's an AAU coach. Bob Huggins and Frank Martin out coach him every year with far less talent. He needs to go after this season. He'll win us about 20 games or more this year but his coaching decisions will cost us in the tournament.

 

[2300 Nueces]

You mean the 3 classes that netted one lottery pick, what could be 2 more this year? Plus a 5 star big man that just transferred? Basketball recruiting is way different than football recruiting. Your not looking to bring in a ton of guys every year unless your Kentucky who turns over there roster every year. Most teams bring in 2-3 guys every year. Sometimes only 1 depending on your roster

2021 24
2020 96
2019 17 Without Will Baker this drops to outside 50
2018 8

What would be acceptable recruiting for Texas has not occurred since 2018. Shaka Smart does not recruit well. Yes, he sells a few big names but as a team, we are well below expectations.

Shaka Smart's offense up to this season has been bad. He plays 3 guards while the rest of the league plays 2 power forward, a center, and 2 guards. Shaka's teams never win the offensive rebound category which is very important considering our poor shooting. Drtxhorn is correct. Shaka is not an X's and O's coach. I remember 2 years ago ESPN did a sideline feed for a Texas vs Kansas game. Shaka's halftime strategy was for our players to show their "mean" faces. I almost died of laughter. I wish it were on youtube.

 

[KChorn11]

Men up 4 on Davidson at halftime. Started out a little sluggish but picked up the pace. This team moves the ball much better than in years past

 

[Oldmanastro]

Up by 2 with 14 seconds

 

[Oldmanastro]

Horns win!

 

[KChorn11]

Up by 2 with 14 seconds

78-76 Texas final. Really good game and a quality win for Texas. Davidson is going to be a tournament team and a problem for someone.

 

[ElDiabloTejano]

if shaka ever finds an offense.... i doubt he will, but IF he were to do that, he would be fine. he's an adult. kinda the opposite of tom-- tom has the xs and os, but not the other stuff. shaka has the other stuff-- as i said, he's an adult; seems like a competent leader; etc; -- it's just that awful, clogged toilet of an offense. somebody said they seem to move the ball better so far-- i hope that's the case. if he lucked out and avoided getting fired due to the chinavirus, and turns into the coach we kinda thought he would be... i'm good with that

 

[KChorn11]

if shaka ever finds an offense.... i doubt he will, but IF he were to do that, he would be fine. he's an adult. kinda the opposite of tom-- tom has the xs and os, but not the other stuff. shaka has the other stuff-- as i said, he's an adult; seems like a competent leader; etc; -- it's just that awful, clogged toilet of an offense. somebody said they seem to move the ball better so far-- i hope that's the case. if he lucked out and avoided getting fired due to the chinavirus, and turns into the coach we kinda thought he would be... i'm good with that

Yep a lot less standing around one on one type stuff in the first two games. Less forced 3’s. Most of the 3 attempts so far have been set up from good basketball. Which means if they don’t go down you can live with it. What I hate are the forced 3’s after dribbling around for 25 seconds.

just as example. Texas did not score 90 at all last year. Already did that first time out. Only scored 78 or more 3 times last year. Already done that twice in the first two games.

 

[KChorn11]

Looks like playing Indiana tomorrow afternoon. They are putting it on providence. Should be a fun game.

 

[RoboCocks21]

The passing game is looking good, haven't seen them move the ball around like. This team can do something with all that talent if they play to their abilities.

 

[KChorn11]

The passing game is looking good, haven't seen them move the ball around like. This team can do something with all that talent if they play to their abilities.

Yep. 6 guys in double figures. Couple things I noticed Coleman has improved his shot. That will open up the offense more. Simms is looking to throw it down every time he gets the ball. Love the aggressiveness. That’s what has been missing from his game the last few years, and once again Kai Jones is going to be a beast

 

[RoboCocks21]

Yep. 6 guys in double figures. Couple things I noticed Coleman has improved his shot. That will open up the offense more. Simms is looking to throw it down every time he gets the ball. Love the aggressiveness. That’s what has been missing from his game the last few years, and once again Kai Jones is going to be a beast

Coleman is almost looking like a complete player he also has alot of players to complement his play now so he is not having to make all the decisions. Simms is aggressive and I like that game plan for him feed him low don't think about the next step and just go up and poster someone. Kai is going to be a beast as long with Brown if both of them find themselves during the season nobody will be able to stop them both.

 

[KChorn11]

Coleman is almost looking like a complete player he also has alot of players to complement his play now so he is not having to make all the decisions. Simms is aggressive and I like that game plan for him feed him low don't think about the next step and just go up and poster someone. Kai is going to be a beast as long with Brown if both of them find themselves during the season nobody will be able to stop them both.

Yep. I think today you got a glimpse of why Baker bounced he just isn’t seeing the floor with Brown, Jones and Simms here

 

[outhereincali]

The Maui invitational is being played in Asheville, North Carolina. Am I the only one to notice the irony in this?

 

[RoboCocks21]

Yep. I think today you got a glimpse of why Baker bounced he just isn’t seeing the floor with Brown, Jones and Simms here

The depth is stupid this year, I guess I don't blame him but hard work does pay off.

 

[KChorn11]

The depth is stupid this year, I guess I don't blame him but hard work does pay off.

Yep. I think Shaka probably expected Simms to be gone this year when he recruited baker and Brown. Simms injuries last year kinda changed that.

 

[westx]

The depth is stupid this year, I guess I don't blame him but hard work does pay off.

I don't think Texas will miss the 7 foot big guy and his amazing 5 of 39 3pt contribution

 

[Oldmanastro]

Taking it to Indiana right now 26-13, 3 minutes left in 1st half. Don’t let up guys.

 

[KChorn11]

Taking it to Indiana right now 26-13, 3 minutes left in 1st half. Don’t let up guys.

Strong defense today. A guy that doesn’t get a lot of attention but has become a really good role player is Brock Cunningham. Can make a shot, not afraid to get on the floor and get a loose ball love his toughness. You gotta have bench guys like that.

 

[KChorn11]

The refs the last two days basically just calling fouls every time down the floor

 

[RoboCocks21]

Well Horns mopped up Indiana today, let's keep it going.

 

[KChorn11]

Tom Herman would be proud. The basketball team has went 1-0 the last 8 times out.

 

[Oldmanastro]

I believe we get UNC next, which would be a solid and confidence builder if we win. We’ve always seemed to play them tough and have had our share of victories against them in the regular season. Tournament time a little different.
This team has peaked my interest.

 

[KChorn11]

I believe we get UNC next, which would be a solid and confidence builder if we win. We’ve always seemed to play them tough and have had our share of victories against them in the regular season. Tournament time a little different.
This team has peaked my interest.

I think Texas played quite a bit better than UNC did today. That doesn’t necessarily mean much but if both teams play the way they did today Texas will win and it won’t be particularly close.

 

[RoboCocks21]

I believe we get UNC next, which would be a solid and confidence builder if we win. We’ve always seemed to play them tough and have had our share of victories against them in the regular season. Tournament time a little different.
This team has peaked my interest.

We are 8-3 against UNC last time UNC beat us was in 2011.

 

[KChorn11]

Just watching KU and Kentucky. I’ll be interested to see how Self tries to matchup with Texas. If he goes small like he did tonight Brown, Kai and Simms might have big games.

 

[EWNHorn]

I want to be excited about this team. I see the potential to be a solid team that makes a run. Yes, some weaknesses. But I'm snake bitten with Shaka. I will continue to watch them. But the whole Indiana game I kept waiting for us to let them back in and then it go down to the wire, but it didn't. I can't take a disappointing basketball season after this football season..................

 

[2300 Nueces]

Take a look at the Kenpom. Five of the top 10 teams are in the Big 12. Brutal.


Kenpom

How are we #4 in Kenpom and #17 in AP top 25?

 

[RoboCocks21]

Take a look at the Kenpom. Five of the top 10 teams are in the Big 12. Brutal.


Kenpom

How are we #4 in Kenpom and #17 in AP top 25?

For some reason they like us this year someone is high on us

 

[ElDiabloTejano]

i think i've said it o here before, if shaka deveops an offense with... i dunno... actual movement, i'm good with him. that's been his bugaboo. i haven't seen us play yet this year, so the jury is still out for me. if we're winning but standing around and just MAKING bad shots, it's all fool's gold. just like if there is movement and shots just don't fall one night, it's just that... a bad night. i'm gonna try to watch some of today's game to get a better feel for us. early reports-- i'm cautiously optimistic.

 

[KChorn11]

Take a look at the Kenpom. Five of the top 10 teams are in the Big 12. Brutal.


Kenpom

How are we #4 in Kenpom and #17 in AP top 25?

Kenpom is analytics based. And polls are human opinion. Plastering a decent Indiana team makes the analytics look pretty good. I don’t think we are top 5, but 10-12 is probably fair.

 

[KChorn11]

If the boys bring this kind of effort every night there aren’t too many teams that are going to beat them.

 

[Oldmanastro]

22-15 Horns with 8:58 left in 1st half.

 

[KChorn11]

40-28 horns at the half.

 

[RoboCocks21]

If this team keeps playing like this watch out big 12 we could be in the mix for a big 12 title

 

[2300 Nueces]

I have to laugh at all the talking heads. They can't help themselves. They always pick against Big 12 teams. Is it an eastern bias?