The 3rd best team in the nation came into Austin to try and sweep the Longhorns to stay in contention for a Big 12 title. The Oklahoma Sooners came to play for 33 minutes but a scoring drought in the final 7 minutes provided the Longhorns an opportunity to notch a huge 76-63 win on Saturday afternoon at the Frank Erwin Center.
Player(s) of the game
Texas Longhorns players
This was the epitome of a team win. Early on it didn’t look promising for the Longhorns. However, Texas kept it close and never gave up. The end result saw five Longhorns in double figures and Isaiah Taylor leading the way with 18 points. Oklahoma didn’t get much production from anyone but Buddy Hield. Shaka Smart’s methodology of patience combined with smart shooting paid off. The shots began to fall and this win was chalked up to a solid team victory.
Turning point of the Game
A run of 22-0
Before the run, the Texas Longhorns were 6-20 from the floor. They weren’t hitting much of anything from the floor. Buddy Hield hits a great 2 point shot to put the Sooners up 58-51 with 7:32 to go. Isaiah Taylor then hits a 2 point layup and draws the foul to make it 58-53 going into the Under 8 TV timeout. Whatever Shaka Smart said in that timeout worked wonders because after that, the Longhorns scored 20 straight points and never looked back. The exclamation point by Kerwin “Snoop” Roach ended any hope the Sooners had in fighting back for a win.
Epilogue
The Longhorns needed to win their home games down the stretch and coming into the game, the Longhorns haven’t look good as of late. Getting blown out by Baylor and squeaking out a 1 point win in Manhattan, Kansas gave the impression that the Longhorns were in a slump. The final 7 minutes of this game against Oklahoma gave the Longhorns the much needed confidence they needed.
This Texas team can play with the best and be a force in March.
With 2 games left, it’s all about seeding in the Big 12 tournament. If the favorites left to play in the Big 12 today win, there will be a 3 way tie (Texas, Oklahoma, and Baylor) for 3rd place in the conference. Kansas comes to the Drum on Monday. Oklahoma and Baylor will play each other on Tuesday. There is still a chance the Longhorns finish 2nd in the conference, but that will require the Longhorns to win out. That goal starts Monday with the Jayhawks. Kansas has wrapped up a share of the Big 12 with a chance to win the Big 12 outright on Monday. They will be motivated to play but the Longhorns will be looking for revenge.
Big Monday just got a lot bigger.
Stats
https://www.hornsports.com/images/txou227stats.jpg
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