Texas Squeaks by Texas Tech in Lubbock

Texas survived a scare yesterday in Lubbock.  A loss to last place Texas Tech would have ensured Texas a disappointing Selection Sunday.  Early on, it looked like that scenario was going to take place.  Texas Tech jumped out to an early 9 point lead, but a run by Texas put the Longhorns up double digits going into the half.  Jaylen Bond sparked the first half run by Texas.  His rebounding and post defense was excellent.  Although Texas was in control,  Texas Tech didn’t go away.  They fought back in the 2nd half and eventually took the game to overtime.  They controlled the first 3 minutes of the overtime period, but up 4 with 2 minutes to go, the Red Raiders fell apart.  They didn’t score another point and turned the ball over the next 4 times they had possession.  Texas capitalized on those turnovers and were able to come back and win the game by a final score of 71-67.  This was not the kind of contest Texas fans were expecting. Especially after the way the Longhorns took Texas Tech apart in Austin just a few weeks ago.  However ugly it was, the Longhorns will take the win.  The win puts Texas at 18-11 on the season, 8-8 in conference, and more importantly, it keeps the Longhorns’ NCAA tournament hopes alive.

Texas got strong contributions from Julien Lewis, Clint Chapman, Jaylen Bond and Myck Kabongo.  Lewis, who finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds came up big for the Longhorns at the end of overtime.  First, he hit the biggest shot of his young Longhorn career.  With Texas down by 4, Lewis came free on the right wing and drilled a momentum changing 3 pointer.  Then, on the next possession, Lewis forced Javarez Willis to turn the ball over.  Willis threw the ball into the waiting arms of J’Covan Brown, who fed Lewis underneath the basket for the go-ahead bucket.

What Lies Ahead for Texas:

A dangerous Oklahoma team comes to Austin on Wednesday night.  Texas will have to be alert, as a loss to OU will surely take them out of the running for an at large bid.  Oklahoma has shown they are capable of beating anybody, as they have beaten Kansas State twice this year.  Texas will need to play better than they have played the last 3 games.

Keys to Success for Texas:

Contain Pledger: He got off to a slow start last game, and that was really key in the Texas win.  The rest of his team was playing well, and Oklahoma would have surely ran away with the game early had their best scorer contributed in the early going.  Pledger is one of the most dangerous guys in the Big 12, as he can get hot in a hurry.

Stay out of foul trouble: Foul trouble has plagued Texas in all of their losses.  Kabongo and Lewis have a tendency to reach in a commit silly touch fouls.  While Wangmene, Chapman and Holmes have trouble playing good post defense without fouling.  Texas will need to be at full strength the whole game, as this game is the most important game of the season.

Make shots: 40% from the field and 25% from the line isn’t going to win very many games.  Texas was lucky they shot that poorly against a struggling Texas Tech team.  Had they done that against a better team, the Longhorns would have gotten beaten.

Play better defense: Texas’ defensive intensity has taken a huge step backwards.  It started in that Oklahoma State game.  They have been allowing dribble penetration and rotating slowly.  Texas needs to fix that heading into the last week of the regular season.

Play smart: Texas is on the bubble right now because they are just making too many low basketball IQ plays.  Not many teams can match the Longhorns talent wise.  They just need to put it all together.  They have gotten game experience, they need to stop making the same mistakes they made in November.  Most of Texas’ losses can be attributed to a low basketball IQ play or 2 at the end of the game.  They need to be better.  It’s too late in the season for them to be making those mistakes.

Game Notes:

– Julien Lewis led the Longhorns with 15 points and 7 rebounds

– Myck Kabongo ran the team well.  He scored 12 points and handed out 8 assists

– Clint Chapman added 12 points and pulled down 7 rebounds

– J’Covan Brown added 14 points and handed out 4 assists