utisdabomb12
V.I.P.
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2013
- Messages
- 8,338
I watched some film from this past season and I came to a few realizations.
1-We played a lot of uptempo last year. Our point guards liked to push the ball and get quick easy looks. It will be interesting to see what Barnes does in the offseason. IMO we really need to become a half court team, and slow the tempo down for several reasons. Limiting the game to as few possessions as possible is going to play right into our hands. With Ibeh, Lammert, Turner, Holmes, and Ridley Texas should win the rebound battle on most nights. It's also going to be very difficult to get easy baskets at the rim with the size and length Texas now has. Finally, Texas is going to be improved in terms of turnovers with a little more experience/maturity. Texas needs to make it a half court game IMO with limited possessions. I wouldn't mind some lineups where we go small and push the tempo, but this team will be best utilized in a slower/half court game. It's not pretty, but low scoring games will play right into the Longhorn's hands.
2-Expect more zone next year. Turner brings length on the perimeter, something we sorely missed this year. With the new foul rules you are almost forced to play zone at certain parts of the game.
3-Our offense needs to run through Taylor. When Taylor is penetrating our offense is a completely different animal. I would expect a lot more pick and roll looks at the top of the key next year with Taylor and Holmes/Turner. Holmes and Turner both give you the athleticism where they can roll to the hoop, but also kick out off a pick and roll and hit a jumper. The more and more I watch of Taylor, he reminds me of a less refined Tony Parker. It will be very difficult to stop a pick and roll game involving Taylor and Holmes/Turner. This is another reason why I think we need to become more of a half court team. Let Taylor create in the half court (that's where he's the best much like Tony Parker).
4-I fully expect Walker/Yancy/Barnett/Croaker to steal minutes from Holland and Felix. Walker really came on at the end of the year, and I expect him to be the starter next year at the other wing. Don't overlook Barnett though. Kid is the real deal and brings the intangibles Texas needs at the wing (length and a jumpshot). I don't mind Holland because he's a good defender, but there's no reason Felix should be seeing more then 12 minutes a game next year.
5-Apparently, Ridley has been working on a little 5 to 6 foot jumper. If he develops a little bit of a mid range game, look out. I fully expect Ridley to be even more improved next year. We saw the improvement from his Freshman to Sophomore year. Also, Texas really needs to work on post entry passes in the offseason. We were absolutely horrible at feeding Ridley this past season.
6-IMO Lammert was under utilized all year. Turner might eat into his minutes, but Lammert needs to be more involved.
The reason I like this team. Teams that can rebound, play defense, and get easy looks at the rim normally win games. Texas should be able to do all three of those things very well.
1-We played a lot of uptempo last year. Our point guards liked to push the ball and get quick easy looks. It will be interesting to see what Barnes does in the offseason. IMO we really need to become a half court team, and slow the tempo down for several reasons. Limiting the game to as few possessions as possible is going to play right into our hands. With Ibeh, Lammert, Turner, Holmes, and Ridley Texas should win the rebound battle on most nights. It's also going to be very difficult to get easy baskets at the rim with the size and length Texas now has. Finally, Texas is going to be improved in terms of turnovers with a little more experience/maturity. Texas needs to make it a half court game IMO with limited possessions. I wouldn't mind some lineups where we go small and push the tempo, but this team will be best utilized in a slower/half court game. It's not pretty, but low scoring games will play right into the Longhorn's hands.
2-Expect more zone next year. Turner brings length on the perimeter, something we sorely missed this year. With the new foul rules you are almost forced to play zone at certain parts of the game.
3-Our offense needs to run through Taylor. When Taylor is penetrating our offense is a completely different animal. I would expect a lot more pick and roll looks at the top of the key next year with Taylor and Holmes/Turner. Holmes and Turner both give you the athleticism where they can roll to the hoop, but also kick out off a pick and roll and hit a jumper. The more and more I watch of Taylor, he reminds me of a less refined Tony Parker. It will be very difficult to stop a pick and roll game involving Taylor and Holmes/Turner. This is another reason why I think we need to become more of a half court team. Let Taylor create in the half court (that's where he's the best much like Tony Parker).
4-I fully expect Walker/Yancy/Barnett/Croaker to steal minutes from Holland and Felix. Walker really came on at the end of the year, and I expect him to be the starter next year at the other wing. Don't overlook Barnett though. Kid is the real deal and brings the intangibles Texas needs at the wing (length and a jumpshot). I don't mind Holland because he's a good defender, but there's no reason Felix should be seeing more then 12 minutes a game next year.
5-Apparently, Ridley has been working on a little 5 to 6 foot jumper. If he develops a little bit of a mid range game, look out. I fully expect Ridley to be even more improved next year. We saw the improvement from his Freshman to Sophomore year. Also, Texas really needs to work on post entry passes in the offseason. We were absolutely horrible at feeding Ridley this past season.
6-IMO Lammert was under utilized all year. Turner might eat into his minutes, but Lammert needs to be more involved.
The reason I like this team. Teams that can rebound, play defense, and get easy looks at the rim normally win games. Texas should be able to do all three of those things very well.
