Texas Pluses: Depth Everyone scores well Rebounding Minuses: Haven't been tested so "who gets ball at end of game" not settled even though Mouton probably will be it for a 2 and Sydmill if its a three. Lack of shot blocking Zona: Pluses: Defense Shot blocking Traditionally do well against Texas Minuses: Lack of depth. My thoughts: Before St Louis game, I was really worried as a Texas fan because we never can play our A game against Zona (mostly because Zona is good at disrupting timing, but UT still missed the shots). After that game, it looks like UT will be able to run them in the ground with our depth and uptempo game.
Texas doesn't have a go-to scorer as I thought. I was never sold on Mouton. Arizona has better starters. As long as they didn't have to go deep with their bench, they'd be fine. Texas has a lot of improvements to be made. Tucker might be the best player on the team by mid-season.
Couple of thoughts, a little late though. Going in I really thought Texas would put it to them. Zona has little inside strength and little depth. However Texas and Barnes really screwed up by trying to run with Arizona. Shakur, Rogers, Stoudamire, and Igudala all make real good decisions in the up tempo game. Texas should have pounded it in to Thomas or Buckman or another low post threat every time, and then look for outside looks off double teams or collapsing defenses. It is clear w/o TJ Texas is trying to figure out their character and strengths. They need to become that inside-outside team. They will be very tough once they figure this out--Texas could still be very dangerous at the end of the year when they do. BTW Arizona may get 2 more low post players within the next 3 weeks. A top notch Serbia prospect and national youth team player Ivan Radenovic (6'9"/220)-- who considered the NBA draft but opted to start at an American university to bolster draft positioning is about to sign to play this spring, and Chris Dunn (6'7" 215 or so), who UA was going to count on a lot this year may become academically eligible as well. Arizona has had rotten luck in their front court--with Latimore tranferring, Ebi wussing out to go sit on an NBA bench, Baylor's best big guy from last year being a homesick dork and signing with Auburn or something at the last minute instead of UA, and then Isiah Fox blowing out a knee this year--but maybe some luck will go there way in the front court. If Arizona gets Radenovic (very likely) and Dunn (likely but depends on his fall grades at a JC) I would put them right with Uconn as the best overall team.
AZ has been struggling a little huh? Late game surges against Marquette and St. Mary's. Two solid teams, but at home? Arizona is one of my favorite college teams, but I don't think there is a clear number 1 right now. I forgot about Lattimore. Where'd he transfer? Anyway, about Texas...I wouldn't think it's a good idea feeding it to Thomas a bunch. He doesn't exactly have many moves. Texas doesn't have a reliable go-to scorer yet. I'm starting to think Tucker is the best player they have. Right now. Buckman looked good at the end of last season so maybe they'll make him more of a focus. Mouton is overrated.
Lattimore transferred to a small college in Kansas I think, what a dork, he might have been able to start this year. Arizona has its weakness, but the inside troops are on the way in January in the Serbian 19 year old kid I was referring to (this is happenning) and perhaps Chris Dunn (have not heard if he regained his availability yet). As for the last 2 games--it is still early. They have had a tough schedule and only lost 1 game, can't complain. Texas just needs to figure out there identity--their talent is not much different from last year--they just need to better figure out their strengths and weaknesses. Like Arizona by the end of the year when they better figure out how to integrate their talent they will be very tough.
What was Lattimore thinking? Texas is struggling majorly. Strengths: Experience, depth, solid defense Weaknesses: No go-to scorer, weak offense They have shooters like Boddicker, Taylor, and Harris, but there's no point guard to get them the ball in the right spot, and they can't work an inside-out game well right now. Thomas doesn't looked like he's improved at all. He still can't finish near the basket. Always tried to do some out-of-control lay-up. Tucker got in fould trouble, but is our best player IMO. Buckman can be our 2nd best if he gets some minutes and is patient. Mouton is not that good. He is so inconsistent and not at the level of top guards on other teams (Arizona, UConn, Duke). Ivey and Moreno are doing an okay job at PG. I'd like to see them try to penetrate more and dish out. We have to have some better sets, because the shooters aren't getting open much and defenses don't have to key-in on a reliable scorer. Maybe Klotz should get some more minutes. I'm not sure about how his defense is though.
