6 Thoughts On The Texas Win In Chapel Hill

[Chris Flanagan]

1. I had about 2.5 heart attacks during the last 8 minutes of that game. Thought Texas was in control of the game, then lost it fast and eventually were able to hang out. HUGE win that will have major implications on March for this team. This team grew up tonight.

2. Rick Barnes and others have spoken highly of Demarcus Holland. How he is a basketball player and always gives 100% even though he isn't much of a game changer. Sure he couldn't shoot from the line tonight but his hustle won this game for the Longhorns. Big props to Holland for getting that final bucket.

3. Can someone just convince Javan Felix it's always the second half? Talk about a player who you can count on in the clutch. Now if he can be more consistent, he might end up being a legend on the 40 acres.

4. Jonathan Holmes is the leader of this team. His heart and determination to play through what looked like painful cramps lifted this team at the end. He sacrificed for this team in the crucial moments. And he had a double double and

5. Isaiah Taylor was a 3 star guard from Houston that had 1 offer. That was Texas. What a steal he was by Rick Barnes. He was a stud tonight scoring 16 points. The 3rd straight game with 15 or more points. Outstanding.

6. If you weren't bullish on the Longhorns, now is the time to get excited. Heading into tonight's game, the Longhorns were 28th in RPI Rankings, that will only improve after this win. If by some miracle they pull off the upset in the Drum on Saturday against Michigan State, then this Texas team who 13 months ago were blown out by Chaminade will be ranked in the Top 25. The Big 12 might be the toughest conference in basketball so it's still possible the Longhorns go 9-9 in conference. However, that might be good enough to get a bid into the NCAA tournament in 2014. Buckle up folks because Texas basketball is now fun to watch again.

 

[HornEsch]

Interestingly enough I told myself that despite the lead the Longhorns had, NC would come back and win it. I guess I have just had that mentality with RB coached teams lately.

However I am glad to say the team is much more mentality tough than I am and held on.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Thanks! Only got to watch the last 4.1 seconds, so it's nice to get some other info.

 

[Fatherof5]

I hadn't planned on doing anything more than follow the basketball team peripherally until Barnes was replaced. These guys are far outperforming expectations. Is this just talent that was underrated or is Barnes coaching like his job depends on it now?

 

[HornNdriftwood]

Great win. These guys are fun to watch.

 

[NLeininger]

I hadn't planned on doing anything more than follow the basketball team peripherally until Barnes was replaced. These guys are far outperforming expectations. Is this just talent that was underrated or is Barnes coaching like his job depends on it now?

Texas has 6 guys from their rotation that were Top 100 kids. Barnes is doing what Izzo has done for years. Take a bunch of 50-80 type guys, develop them, and add to them a few Top 20 type players.

I think the teams was mostly underrated by their own fan base. This team is talented but at the same time they play their ass off for each other and their coach.

 

[RLX]

I like the way this team plays, great win at a very tough venue

Hook'em

 

[JimR]

A consistent characteristic of RB teams when times were good was being tough down the stretch. This team has that. Add one great player to it, and watch out. Are you listening, Myles?

I saw only the last few seconds. Can someone tell me about the flagrant foul call that allowed UNC to catch up? I gather from message board comments that it was a BS call. 80 FTs is ridiculous.

 

[Horn 4VR]

This could be a like-able team.

 

[HornEsch]

Oh this team is very likeable. Hard working and scrappy without the glitz.

 

[Hornitos]

Good post Chris. I got to see the last few minutes. First time I got to watch this year's squad. Hope they keep it up.

I hope Barnes has done some self reflection and growing himself too. I believe he was as much to blame for the past issues as the players were.

 

[riloh05]

@ jim... it was the correct call. i had this win penciled as the upset special for this squad. great win and tough road environment. it is hard for me to buy in because i can see the flaws and understand why it could all end in a dumpster fire. this team needs to stay healthy, period.

 

[drgilbert]

They have the heart and the hustle. If we add consistent outside shooting and one of our bigs learns how to score then look out

 

[Mulligan30]

A consistent characteristic of RB teams when times were good was being tough down the stretch. This team has that. Add one great player to it, and watch out. Are you listening, Myles?
I saw only the last few seconds. Can someone tell me about the flagrant foul call that allowed UNC to catch up? I gather from message board comments that it was a BS call. 80 FTs is ridiculous.

They called a technical foul on Isaiah Taylor when he was trapped after they called a foul on his defender. He swung his elbows, but replays showed he never made contact. Taylor got to shoot his free throws(and made them) then UNC got to shoot their FT's and then get the ball back.

 

[Chitownhorn]

1. I had about 2.5 heart attacks during the last 8 minutes of that game. Thought Texas was in control of the game, then lost it fast and eventually were able to hang out. HUGE win that will have major implications on March for this team. This team grew up tonight.
2. Rick Barnes and others have spoken highly of Demarcus Holland. How he is a basketball player and always gives 100% even though he isn't much of a game changer. Sure he couldn't shoot from the line tonight but his hustle won this game for the Longhorns. Big props to Holland for getting that final bucket.

3. Can someone just convince Javan Felix it's always the second half? Talk about a player who you can count on in the clutch. Now if he can be more consistent, he might end up being a legend on the 40 acres.

4. Jonathan Holmes is the leader of this team. His heart and determination to play through what looked like painful cramps lifted this team at the end. He sacrificed for this team in the crucial moments. And he had a double double and

5. Isaiah Taylor was a 3 star guard from Houston that had 1 offer. That was Texas. What a steal he was by Rick Barnes. He was a stud tonight scoring 16 points. The 3rd straight game with 15 or more points. Outstanding.

6. If you weren't bullish on the Longhorns, now is the time to get excited. Heading into tonight's game, the Longhorns were 28th in RPI Rankings, that will only improve after this win. If by some miracle they pull off the upset in the Drum on Saturday against Michigan State, then this Texas team who 13 months ago were blown out by Chaminade will be ranked in the Top 25. The Big 12 might be the toughest conference in basketball so it's still possible the Longhorns go 9-9 in conference. However, that might be good enough to get a bid into the NCAA tournament in 2014. Buckle up folks because Texas basketball is now fun to watch again.

Chris - Great write up. I have a few thoughts to tag on....

On Rick Barnes in general - For what ever reason he seems to be enjoying coaching this team. He has always been very tough on young players and this year for what ever reason he seems to be letting them play and is slower to pull a player. Weather or not the last few teams had attitude issues and that effected him I don't know but to my eyes he just seems more relaxed.

Jonathan Holmes is a MAN

Isiah Taylor can be the best guard to come out of Texas if he develops a dependable mid range jumper. They are starting to back off him and giving him the outside shot. If he can start knocking some of those down look out.

Intimidatingly I was not high on this team, I had them for 10-12 wins. Well I have done a complete 180 and believe this team will be competitive in the Big12 and will only continue to get better as the season progresses.

Two holes I see are their outside shooting and free throws. As more teams play zone against them their ball movement against the zone will become critical in order for them to get into good scoring position - inside 15 feet. Free throws - well I think we'll have to live with the fact that they will cost UT a game or two somewhere along the line.

 

[riloh05]

They called a technical foul on Isaiah Taylor when he was trapped after they called a foul on his defender. He swung his elbows, but replays showed he never made contact. Taylor got to shoot his free throws(and made them) then UNC got to shoot their FT's and then get the ball back.

even with out contact... it is the swinging that got the flagrant 1 or whatever. if he had made contact it would have been a different result, maybe a flagrant 2 with an ejection. Oh, and Taylor traveled in a bad way on that play.

 

[Pancho Negro]

even with out contact... it is the swinging that got the flagrant 1 or whatever. if he had made contact it would have been a different result, maybe a flagrant 2 with an ejection. Oh, and Taylor traveled in a bad way on that play.

Contact Dead Ball Technical, not F1.

Seems like officials went Contact Dead Ball T over a F1 because they had already called a foul on Nawf Carolina, which caused us to be shooting in double-bonus. This allowed both teams to get something out of it.

Had they not originally called a foul on Nawf Carolina, then Taylor most likely would have gotten an F1.

EDIT--So I guess this season means one more year of Barnes and no Smart or Buzz?

 

[hooked636905]

Having Rob Lanier back has helped Barnes to identify those coachable kids in the 50-80 range that you speak of. Plus they are leaving no stone unturned in recruiting and not just going all in on the top 5 talent while taking on dead weight at other positions. Really love the athleticism of this team. So much quicker and more athletic than last year's squad. Give credit to Todd Wright in the weight room as well. Barnes is coaching some of his best bball and it is really coming together nicely and you are starting to see some confidence.

 

[Topstarr]

Good game for the Burnt Orange.