Erskin = dumbass Why on earth would you take a two in that situation? There was at least two more seconds on the clock that he could've taken another step or two back (or passed) for a three. Shooting an 18 foot two-pointer in a 3 point game with three seconds to go is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen. Goes right up there with that BC player in the NCAA Tourney a couple years back.
Great game though, even if Texas fell a little short. I love watching this team play: the fight, the effort, clawing and scratching for every single ball - just superb.
Such is the life when a team that is not a household name in college basketball, plays on the road against the #1 team in the nation. Ironically, they were Big 12 refs.
Yeah the refs were pretty horrible...not for one side or the other...just very inconsistent. At times it looked like a UFC match and at others all you heard was the whistle. The only ones I had issue with late -- Gardner's push off looked pretty blatant to me in getting space for his shot, and then the charge against TJ at the end was pretty iffy, too. TJ had already gotten a step on him -- didn't look to me like Gardner was set, and he wasn't really giving ground either. Oh well...unlike football, this won't break our back.
That being said, I wish Barnes knew enough X's and O's to coach the UT football team. I love his "no excuses" attitude. Anyone that can make James Thomas cry is pretty tough. Zona is probably the better team, but Barnes still thought they should have won. I don't know if UT has the horses yet, maybe in two years when they hopefully land that Gibson kid.
But you could add a charge called against Gardner with about 3:00 to go when TJ had his arm on him first and TJ was moving before Gardner initiated further contact with his own arm. While many people might say the game was ugly, I would say that was like a typical late NCAA turney type game. Those kinds of games benefit both teams regardless of the early season W-L. Other notes: Texas really impressed me. That is the most talented and deep Texas team in quite some time. Arizona's set offense really sufferes w/o Walton. He is their playmaker and is the best player at seeing the floor and generating open shots/layups for others. Against really good defenses and to be a championship contender Arizona will need a healthy Walton, though they doen't miss him much against most teams. I would really enjoying seeing a re-match, don't be surprised if this happens in the Final Four.
Texas really impressed me. That is the most talented and deep Texas team in quite some time. I agree. I don't mind losing these kinds of games. We had leads with about 2 minutes to go against both ND and Arizona and could have been the #1 team in the country. We're still learning, and hopefully we'll be better by the end of the year. I wouldn't bet against this team in a matchup against any team in the country.
