On the Brink: Texas loses to Kansas 69-64

[HornSports Staff]

By Chris Flanagan

The Texas Longhorns (17-12, 6-10 Big 12) once again grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory as the Kansas Jayhawks (23-6, 12-4 Big 12) withstood a late Texas attack, pulling off the win, 69-64, at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence. Point guard Isaiah Taylor led the way for the Longhorns with 17 points and Demarcus Holland scored 15 points off the bench in the loss.

Texas led with 6:53 remaining in the game, but the Jayhawks kept the margin narrow and made plays down the stretch, enabling them to take a late-game lead and keep it. The largest lead for the Longhorns was six points, but they were unable to extend it due to a number of momentum shifts.

With Cliff Alexander out for the game due to eligibility concerns, the Horns' challenge was to contain forward Perry Ellis. Texas was not up to the task most of the night - Ellis scored 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in what became the Jayhawks' 12th conference win this season.

When asked why the Longhorns couldn’t stop Ellis, sophomore guard Isaiah Taylor said,“He is just a really good player.”

Although they were unable to slow down Ellis, the Texas bench was a major factor in tonight’s game, outscoring the Kansas bench 27-7. Demarcus Holland and Myles Turner accounted for 25 of the 27 points.
After the game, discussion was focused on the final Texas possession. Although it was not called, Isaiah Taylor appeared to get fouled as he drove to the basket.

“I got fouled,” said Taylor. “Unfortunately they didn’t call it. I felt like I got tripped.”

Texas head coach Rick Barnes summed up his thoughts on the call, or lack thereof, on Taylor, saying, "They deserved a better fate, but it didn’t happen.”

Kansas head coach Bill Self was impressed with the play of Isaiah Taylor, calling Taylor "unstoppable." Self also mentioned that the Jayhawks were fortunate to win the game, given the play of Texas.

Demarcus Holland talked about the aggressiveness of the Texas team and how it was a factor for the Longhorns. “We [Texas] didn’t want [Kansas] to be the aggressor, we wanted to be the aggressor and push the ball."

In post-game interviews the Texas players said they felt confident about their performance despite the loss.

“We got back to the Top 10 team we were earlier in the season," said Isaiah Taylor.

“We still believe in the system… we are excited to finish the season," added Demarcus Holland.

The mindset of the team is “fine” said Kendal Yancy and he believes they will win the next two games (against Baylor and Kansas State).

Isaiah Taylor met with the media for post-game interviews with his shoulder packed in ice, but says he will be fine for Monday's game against Baylor in Austin.

[SIZE= 18px]Isaiah Taylor talks to the media in Lawrence (via HornSports contributor Chris Flanagan):[/SIZE]

 

[Matt Cotcher]

That was Texas' best performance in conference play, IMO. 

 

[Etex Horn]

Can an "impressive loss"...on the road, against a great team...actually help Texas get into the field of 64?

I guess we'll see...definitely have to beat Baylor and Kansas State next week, though.

 

[Chris Flanagan]

Yes it was. Again, it's all for naught.

 

[utisdabomb12]

My only thoughts. Holmes should not be playing, he's killing us. 

We will see what type of fight Barnes has left. I've said from the get go if Texas can beat Baylor and Kansas State at home, with a victory over TCU/Tech in the Big 12 tournament they will make the dance. 

In a way there's kind of a poetic ending to this season. Barnes can win some big games coming up and maybe make a run in the tournament, shutting his critics up. Or Barnes can lose one of these big games coming up and miss out on the tournament, emboldening the critics. 

I think Texas has the ability to beat Baylor, K-State, and Tech/TCU. Now the question is can Barnes get the job done? 

 

[Aaron Carrara]

Chris, I listened to your Barnes post-game audio/comments and he sounded fairly dejected.  He's a pro and he's been doing this for quite some time but tonight it sounded like he knew the expectations for him/his team this season were far from being met.

He's in a tough spot but if he can get his team to play with the same sense of urgency they showed tonight (against BU & KSU) then the Big 12 tourney may provide an avenue for the Longhorns to squeak into the tournament.

Hats-off to the guys for playing lights-out tonight in one of the toughest venues in college basketball.  

 

[Sirhornsalot]

That was Texas' best performance in conference play, IMO. 

Very much agree and it's a shame we couldn't pull it out.