****2nd Half Game Thread: Texas vs ISU******

[Sirhornsalot]

Big win for the Horns. Iowa State is a good basketball team.

 

[joeywa]

Sorry Joey, didn't mean to steal your thunder there bud.

Hey, I'm not worried at all.  We're all good.  My typing isn't as fast as it once was.  Ha! 

 

[MikeV73]

Thanks for the play by play Joey. Now, amazing that Allen drains two consecutive free throws to win this game. I didn't see two consecutive free throws made in the second half until Allen. Would seem our guards would be more adept at free throws...pisses me off. My daughter's third grade basketball team has girls who can drain free throws on ten foot goals. Frustrating watching the "free" throw shots.

 

[The Bry-Man81]

I was very worried at the end given our pattern of losing close games...but we played just well enough.  Still a ton of sloppy play, especially once we got up 17 in the first half.  Lots of out of control drives, lots of too much dribbling, offense looks stagnant sometimes....and WAY too many missed free throws.  Some say we shoot FT like Shaq...ironically enough, I think our very own Shaq is one of our better FT shooters (ESPN has him at 75%, good for second on the team behind Jacob Young at 83%) (ugh, our best FT shooter is at 83%?? That's not good).  Anyway, lots of mistakes...but what I liked is the hustle I saw for each loose ball.  Seemed like every loose ball, there was a Longhorn on the floor going after it, and we came away with a lot of them this game.  That's the difference in this game.

Jarrett Allen continues to improve with each game.  Andrew Jones played pretty well, just 1 rebound and 2 or 3 assists away from a triple double.  I think this team is slowly starting to figure things out.  Still can't wait for Matt Coleman to get on campus though.

 

[joeywa]

I was very worried at the end given our pattern of losing close games...but we played just well enough.  Still a ton of sloppy play, especially once we got up 17 in the first half.  Lots of out of control drives, lots of too much dribbling, offense looks stagnant sometimes....and WAY too many missed free throws.  Some say we shoot FT like Shaq...ironically enough, I think our very own Shaq is one of our better FT shooters (ESPN has him at 75%, good for second on the team behind Jacob Young at 83%) (ugh, our best FT shooter is at 83%?? That's not good).  Anyway, lots of mistakes...but what I liked is the hustle I saw for each loose ball.  Seemed like every loose ball, there was a Longhorn on the floor going after it, and we came away with a lot of them this game.  That's the difference in this game.

Jarrett Allen continues to improve with each game.  Andrew Jones played pretty well, just 1 rebound and 2 or 3 assists away from a triple double.  I think this team is slowly starting to figure things out.  Still can't wait for Matt Coleman to get on campus though.

Didn't know that about our own Shaq.  Interesting. 

Good thoughts, Bry.  Mistakes, and not those caused by youth, were rampant throughout the game.  The team does certainly hustle but goodness, the lazy passes and out of control drives into the lane have got to improve. 

With you 100% on Coleman.  Also I think Allen, with a full offseason of strength training, becomes a different level player next season. 

 

[TB14]

Jones and Allen have both really turned it around. I hope Jones comes back for one more year. He can be special with a good PG. Same with Allen. He could launch himself into the top 5 next wear after a year of bulking up. Hope to see it happen but I expect at least Allen gone.

 

[83Dee]

Allen is starting to look like a lottery pick (ouch). 

Jones is fearless.  I will be interested to see how this team does with a true point guard.  Could be special? 

 

[longhorn_mig]

Jones continues to improve as a player and has noticeably become better at running the point. That said, am I crazy or:

(1) Is Kerwin getting worse at running the point, especially late in the game? It seems like he keeps making bad decisions and turnovers late in close games.

(2) Did the offense stall when Jones went to the bench? I felt there was a point in the 2nd half where we had a 9 or 10 point lead, Jones went to the bench, and the offense went into the gutter and lost their lead (again).

Full disclosure, Jones is my favorite player on this team, so I might be biased on this. Just curious what everyone else is seeing.

 

[tejasrulz]

Interesting comments/points about the game:

* Per ESPN, Texas is the 9th youngest team out of 347 D1 teams. By contrast, Iowa St is the 5th oldest

* Texas has played in 15 (maybe 14) games that have been decided by 5 pts or less, the most in D1

* Texas is the worst FT shooting team in the Big XII (duh, I think we all know that)

* As mentioned above, Texas was diving all over the place for loose balls. ESPN mentioned that several times last night

* Allen is getting better every game. Really hope he comes back for at least one more year

* Jones is a gamer and yes, the team seems to run smoother with him out there

Overall it was a good win against a very good team. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if everyone comes back next year, this team will do some damage!

 

[83Dee]

Interesting comments/points about the game:

* Per ESPN, Texas is the 9th youngest team out of 347 D1 teams. By contrast, Iowa St is the 5th oldest

* Texas has played in 15 (maybe 14) games that have been decided by 5 pts or less, the most in D1

* Texas is the worst FT shooting team in the Big XII (duh, I think we all know that)

* As mentioned above, Texas was diving all over the place for loose balls. ESPN mentioned that several times last night

* Allen is getting better every game. Really hope he comes back for at least one more year

* Jones is a gamer and yes, the team seems to run smoother with him out there

Overall it was a good win against a very good team. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if everyone comes back next year, this team will do some damage!

Good stuff

* "We're young" is becoming the Longhorn battle cry.  It is an interesting point, but I am getting tired of hearing it in all sports.  I'm expecting Texas to run up a banner after a losing season in football or basketball that says "we're young!" 

* I agree with a previous point made on this thread that Texas looks very discombobulated at the end of close games.  I think a true point guard may all  of the sudden make our coach look like a genius in close games. 

* Is there anything more frustrating than following a team that cannot hit free throws?  I am beginning to think that the way to be a good free throw shooting team is to recruit good free throw shooters.... I am not sure how much effect coaching has in this area.

* Texas is playing hard; no doubt.  Can't criticize their effort in most games.   

* Allen is working his way up draft boards with his play as of late.  This is a dilemma that Rick Barnes faced.... kids leaving just as they are really getting good.  Thinking about some of the lineups he could have had if players would have just stuck around another year or so is mind boggling.   

* Jones is a future star.  He seems to have that rare trait of wanting the ball in pressure situations.  He may be the MVP of this team.