The Longhorns played Kentucky only one time prior to tonight’s matchup in Lexington and that was twenty-one years ago in Maui. Texas lost that matchup 86-61 and hoped to even the series with the perennial hoops powerhouse on their own court tonight, despite being without star point guard Isaiah Taylor.
It didn’t happen.
The Longhorns outplayed a poor-shooting Kentucky team in the first half and dominated the Wildcats on the boards, holding the lead for most of the half. At the under-five mark Jonathan Holmes was called for a flagrant foul, which changed to game momentum and propelled the Wildcats to a 6-0 run. Texas held ground with the top-ranked team at the half with a 26-26 tie.
The second half was a different story for Kentucky. And for Texas. The Wildcats scored the first 10 points of the half and the Longhorns went more than 5 minutes without a bucket. Kentucky held the lead for the entire second half, increasing its largest lead of the game to 14 points at the under nine mark. The Longhorns would eventually charge back, cutting the Kentucky lead to 5 points with 1:44 left on a pair of free throws made by Jonathan Holmes.
Kentucky would hold on and beat Texas 63-51, its second win over a Top-10 ranked opponent on the season (The Wildcats won handily over the Jayhawks 72-40 last month).
The Longhorns turned the ball over 22 times, giving up 19 points off those turnovers. In the end Texas shot 29.8% from the field while Kentucky shot 37.5%
Foul trouble plagued the Longhorns most of the night, ending with the fouling-out of both Cameron Ridley and Myles Turner. Jonathan Holmes and Prince Ibeh each finished with 4 fouls.
Holmes led all Longhorns in scoring with 14 points and Kentucky’s Willey Cauley-Steins led all scorers with 21 points.
Despite the team’s foul troubles, Texas proved they can compete with one of the highest caliber teams in the country – on the road, even without Isaiah Taylor. The final score was a double-digit lead for the Wildcats, but the game was much closer than the score indicates.
Texas fans should continue to have high expectations from this team because they have all the tools to succeed this season.
Rick Barnes and the Longhorns (7-1) will enjoy an eight day break before facing Texas State at home.
