He;s played much better. Last year he jacked up 3s and never passed but this year, it looks like he's giving up the ball more often. so yeah, it has changed a bit
I can't believe Longhorn fan found the game ugly. Blocked shots and steals by the Longhorns and clutch baskets by the Longhorns are not ugly!! The 15 point deficit by the Longhorns in the first quarter was shocking and it made the 11 point lead even sweeter and more surprising. When the Longhorns were down 12 to 15 early in the first half and Barnes put Brown in I told my wife look at Brown's body language. He is strutting around confidently like he is not going to give up. Now that Brown is coming around--he had nearly flawless games against the Aggies and the Jayhawks, the team is really hard to beat. Thompson, Joseph and Johnson are steady defenders who can score too. Hamilton and now Brown are total threats to take a game over with explosive scoring making it hard for teams to know how to focus on defense. Their defense is approaching acceptable. How to explain the surprisingly better team this year? Last years team seemed to be so full of talented, but flawed players. No defense from Brown, Hamilton and erratic offense, too. No offense at all from Balbay, Lucas and Justin Mason. Pittman could not stay on the court much due to either conditioning or foul problems. With Pittman out Damion had to try to do too much including being the main rebounder and trying to shoot from outside --not his strength. In the starting lineup we have Thompson replacing Pitman-- an upgrade. Joseph is an upgrade over Avery Bradley as he is steadier and better at crunch time. Hamilton is a roughly equal replacment to Damion James given his incredible improvement. In addition to Hamilton's improvement we have noticeable to great improvments to the games of all the contributors on this year's team. Brown great improvment; Balbay better free throws; Gary Johnson better jumper; Hill vastly better health and defense. Wangmene better health and conditioning and defense.
Matt Hill's ability to come in and shut down the opposing team's big men while allowing Thompson/Johnson to get a breather may be the most underrated aspect of this team right now. Keeping those two rested and out of foul trouble could be a huge deal come tourney time.
Very true. But, if Thompson AND Johnson get in serious foul trouble, Barnes is going to be forced to play Wangmene, who's the clumsiest, most uncoordinated player on the team. I like the fact that Hill plays to his strengths. He doesn't force the issue on offense, he simply sets solid screens and plays fundamentally sound defense. When he and J'Covan Brown play well, the Horns are nearly unbeatable. I couldn't believe how effective Hill was against the Morris brothers...
Sorry I was talking about the fan who complained it was an "ugly" win. Not you, though from your name I can see your question. Looking backward it was sealclubber.
So proud of the Horns beating KU at their home court. Let's win the next three games to dispel that Murderer's Row theory.
Hamilton named Big 12 Player of the Week and Thompson bags Rookie of the Week honors. Hook 'em. Hamilton, Thompson recognized by Big 12
Heads up: #8 Texas @ Oklahoma State at 6:30 tonight on ESPN. On a side note, ESPN ran a special this afternoon on the devastating plane crash that took the lives of 10 from the Oklahoma State basketball family. Here's the article for anyone interested: OTL: Dear Nate Also, Texas will wear commemorative shirts during shoot around and prior to tip-off. All of the fans that attend the game will be given a shirt to wear. The pictures of the shirt are included in the link below: Texas to honor lost Cowboys Hook 'em.
OSU hanging tough. You have to wonder if they'll be affected by the emotion of the evening. So far, no...but these things have a tendency to wear you out.
Two more games.... lets see if they can stay undefeated in the Big 12. I think the L will most likely come from A&M. I'm not overlooking Missouri.
I mean its funny how I was thinking "wow, 3-2 would be ok with me" a week or so ago. Since then: Rout vs. aTm, beat ku at ku by 11 smashing of osu... just awesome...i love watching this team...they are awesome defensively, which is my fav. part of watching em.
Very refreshing after watching the Rockets consistently surrender 100+ to NBA bottom feeders. All things considered, Texas is arguably the best defensive team in the NCAA. Tonight was the 3rd time the Horns have held an opponent to 46 points (Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Arkansas). Also, they dismantled both Michigan State and Kansas on the road... truly remarkable considering the Breslin Center and Allen Fieldhouse are two of the most hostile environments in America.
Defensively, this team is set. But offensively, we could use one more shooter and one more big guy who can post up.
Very true, but that's why J'Covan Brown's the X factor for the Horns. When he's clicking on all cylinders, the team's set on the perimeter, IMO. His inconsistency is frustrating, but when he's knocking down the 3-ball with ease, Texas is nearly unbeatable. Imagine if Barnes still had Dexter Pittman at his disposal. He could start him at center strictly for his presence in the paint, and throw Thompson next to him in the frontcourt (Johnson could spell Thompson, or even play SF alongside the twin towers). Pittman wouldn't be forced to step outside of his comfort zone and handle a serious load on offense, but rather he would just enforce around the cup, rebound, and pry double teams from Thompson.
Texas is the first team since 1993 to beat Kansas, North Carolina, and Michigan State in the same season.
