And Then There Were 16
We've got 2 rounds down and what a weekend of basketball. Particularly on Saturday - multiple OT games which is always great! I've got my thoughts and observations from a terrific first weekend of games. But first, you know I can't get too far without ranting about those pesky Longhorns.
I don't want to sound like an ass and say I didn't tell you so...but I told you so. Specifically I'm referring to my continuous harp on their piss-poor defense and rebounding. That game was by and far Texas' worst performance of the year. But before I get to my ripping of them for the USC game, let's briefly touch on the New Mexico State game. You know, I kind of chalked that one up to the fact that it was their first NCAA Tournament game and they had quite a few jitters - how many easy layups did they miss in the first half? Let's be honest, that win was a very ugly win against a far inferior team. Yet again in the second half they blow a 16 point lead and at one point, get down by 1. The fact that they won that game by 12 is only an indication of how good of free throw shooters they are.
Now about this USC game. The thing that is most frustrating to me is that at no point in that game yesterday did Texas ever truly compete. Moreover, they were unable to match USC's intensity. That's unacceptable and I'm chalking that up to coaching (yes Marc Madeley, I said it). More on that in a minute. At the end of the day, it came down to rebounding and defense - as it always does with Texas. If anyone ever questioned my knocking them for this, you can no longer doubt how poor of a defensive team they are - especially the guards. Augustin, when this team needed him the most, played the worst - just like the conference tournament. I hope you're sitting down Texas fans because I'm coming right out with it - until I see a vast improvement next year, especially in big games, DJ Augustin will be just another overrated guard in the country. I'm not sure if it's the level of competition or maybe the fact that he just ran out of steam at the end of the year, but I can't understand how this guy could come out and put a performance like that in such a big game. Don't get me wrong, he's obviously a talented player (15 pts and 6 assists a game is pretty darn impressive), but if you can't step up on the biggest stage then you're just another Chris Simms - great player, but comes up short in big games. I do believe he's going to improve next year, he is only a freshman after all. But with KD leaving (and I'm assuming he will) Augustin will have to REALLY be the man - I just hope he can do it.
Here are my thoughts for these Horns heading into next year:
Coaching - I'm a huge Barnes fan. In fact, I was just arguing on Friday night that he's one of the top 5-7 coaches in the country. BUT, I have been questioning his team's preparation over the past few weeks. I don't doubt how difficult it is to get a bunch of 18-year olds prepared for a big game, but nonetheless I'm scratching my head as to his job as of late. Particularly, why can't this team handle pressure well? Why can't they close teams out? WHY DON'T THEY PLAY BETTER DEFENSE/REBOUND BETTER????? Why don't they play/respond to more physical play by opposing teams? Lots of questions here that I'll be looking to improve next year.
Offense - Man O man, what is this team going to do when KD leaves? First and foremost, we have to establish an offensive game plan that doesn't live and die by the 3-point shot! I'm not sure that Texas actually has more than 1 or 2 set offensive plays. One thing that MUST happen next year is Justin Mason and Damion James must become relevant elements of the offense. We know James is capable of scoring as we've seen him do it. I'm still not sold that Just Mason is anything special though, but he'll certainly have his opportunities. HUGE question mark for next year here.
Defense - All I can say is if this team doesn't improve their defense by about 150% next year they will be significantly worse than they are this year as a whole. What's most surprising is Barnes' teams typically are very strong defensively - not sure what is happening here, but they are not even close to playing acceptable defense right now. Particularly Abrams and Augustin. If these guys can't stop opposing guards from penetrating (and they can't), then we are in a world of hurt. Anything is better than what we saw this year.
Intensity - This was a big one from yesterday. They got steam rolled from the moment the first second ticked off the clock and played tentative and slower all game long. Another element of Rick Barnes teams that is usually much better. I think he really needs to harp on playing more physical next year. I'd also like to see him go and recruit players who are role players - those guys who play "in-your-face" defense and grab rebounds.
And that's all I've got to say about that...
Quick Hits from Tournament Weekend:
- So first time in a long time that we didn't see 12 seed upset a 5 seed this year. Weird.
- Those Ohio State Luckeyes got, well...lucky. I actually had Xavier knocking off OSU in the second round in one of my brackets (and took a lot of shit for it too). First and foremost Xavier, make your free throws. BUT, that last foul by Greg Oden was without question a flagrant/intentional foul. Xavier should have had 2 shots AND the ball. I was stunned that they let that go - Oden hit the guy like a linebacker knocking a receiver on his ass. The guy came up off the ground before ending up on his back. Xavier had their chances though - OT without Oden and they just folded.
- And speaking of OSU - I was greatly unimpressed with their performance. I think Tenn knocks them off this coming weekend. Oden is very VERY good though, that dude is a premier shot blocker in the college game right now. He's no Kevin Durant though.
- As a Longhorn fan, I'm actually pretty happy that we don't have to face the Tarheels. I'm not sure who we would get to guard Tyler Hansbrough or Ty Lawson - those guys would have shredded our defense.
- For the record, my lovely wife is the only one in our pool who has UNLV in the fnal four.
- I think the Pitt/UCLA game may be the game of the next round.
- I think Texas A&M beats up on the Memphis Tigers pretty good.
- I think if I'm Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators, I'm taking Butler very VERY seriously.
- Biggest blowout of the next round: Georgetown over Vanderbilt.
I don't want to sound like an ass and say I didn't tell you so...but I told you so. Specifically I'm referring to my continuous harp on their piss-poor defense and rebounding. That game was by and far Texas' worst performance of the year. But before I get to my ripping of them for the USC game, let's briefly touch on the New Mexico State game. You know, I kind of chalked that one up to the fact that it was their first NCAA Tournament game and they had quite a few jitters - how many easy layups did they miss in the first half? Let's be honest, that win was a very ugly win against a far inferior team. Yet again in the second half they blow a 16 point lead and at one point, get down by 1. The fact that they won that game by 12 is only an indication of how good of free throw shooters they are.
Now about this USC game. The thing that is most frustrating to me is that at no point in that game yesterday did Texas ever truly compete. Moreover, they were unable to match USC's intensity. That's unacceptable and I'm chalking that up to coaching (yes Marc Madeley, I said it). More on that in a minute. At the end of the day, it came down to rebounding and defense - as it always does with Texas. If anyone ever questioned my knocking them for this, you can no longer doubt how poor of a defensive team they are - especially the guards. Augustin, when this team needed him the most, played the worst - just like the conference tournament. I hope you're sitting down Texas fans because I'm coming right out with it - until I see a vast improvement next year, especially in big games, DJ Augustin will be just another overrated guard in the country. I'm not sure if it's the level of competition or maybe the fact that he just ran out of steam at the end of the year, but I can't understand how this guy could come out and put a performance like that in such a big game. Don't get me wrong, he's obviously a talented player (15 pts and 6 assists a game is pretty darn impressive), but if you can't step up on the biggest stage then you're just another Chris Simms - great player, but comes up short in big games. I do believe he's going to improve next year, he is only a freshman after all. But with KD leaving (and I'm assuming he will) Augustin will have to REALLY be the man - I just hope he can do it.
Here are my thoughts for these Horns heading into next year:
Coaching - I'm a huge Barnes fan. In fact, I was just arguing on Friday night that he's one of the top 5-7 coaches in the country. BUT, I have been questioning his team's preparation over the past few weeks. I don't doubt how difficult it is to get a bunch of 18-year olds prepared for a big game, but nonetheless I'm scratching my head as to his job as of late. Particularly, why can't this team handle pressure well? Why can't they close teams out? WHY DON'T THEY PLAY BETTER DEFENSE/REBOUND BETTER????? Why don't they play/respond to more physical play by opposing teams? Lots of questions here that I'll be looking to improve next year.
Offense - Man O man, what is this team going to do when KD leaves? First and foremost, we have to establish an offensive game plan that doesn't live and die by the 3-point shot! I'm not sure that Texas actually has more than 1 or 2 set offensive plays. One thing that MUST happen next year is Justin Mason and Damion James must become relevant elements of the offense. We know James is capable of scoring as we've seen him do it. I'm still not sold that Just Mason is anything special though, but he'll certainly have his opportunities. HUGE question mark for next year here.
Defense - All I can say is if this team doesn't improve their defense by about 150% next year they will be significantly worse than they are this year as a whole. What's most surprising is Barnes' teams typically are very strong defensively - not sure what is happening here, but they are not even close to playing acceptable defense right now. Particularly Abrams and Augustin. If these guys can't stop opposing guards from penetrating (and they can't), then we are in a world of hurt. Anything is better than what we saw this year.
Intensity - This was a big one from yesterday. They got steam rolled from the moment the first second ticked off the clock and played tentative and slower all game long. Another element of Rick Barnes teams that is usually much better. I think he really needs to harp on playing more physical next year. I'd also like to see him go and recruit players who are role players - those guys who play "in-your-face" defense and grab rebounds.
And that's all I've got to say about that...
Quick Hits from Tournament Weekend:
- So first time in a long time that we didn't see 12 seed upset a 5 seed this year. Weird.
- Those Ohio State Luckeyes got, well...lucky. I actually had Xavier knocking off OSU in the second round in one of my brackets (and took a lot of shit for it too). First and foremost Xavier, make your free throws. BUT, that last foul by Greg Oden was without question a flagrant/intentional foul. Xavier should have had 2 shots AND the ball. I was stunned that they let that go - Oden hit the guy like a linebacker knocking a receiver on his ass. The guy came up off the ground before ending up on his back. Xavier had their chances though - OT without Oden and they just folded.
- And speaking of OSU - I was greatly unimpressed with their performance. I think Tenn knocks them off this coming weekend. Oden is very VERY good though, that dude is a premier shot blocker in the college game right now. He's no Kevin Durant though.
- As a Longhorn fan, I'm actually pretty happy that we don't have to face the Tarheels. I'm not sure who we would get to guard Tyler Hansbrough or Ty Lawson - those guys would have shredded our defense.
- For the record, my lovely wife is the only one in our pool who has UNLV in the fnal four.
- I think the Pitt/UCLA game may be the game of the next round.
- I think Texas A&M beats up on the Memphis Tigers pretty good.
- I think if I'm Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators, I'm taking Butler very VERY seriously.
- Biggest blowout of the next round: Georgetown over Vanderbilt.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 11:26 AM
1 Comments:
wow, no love for Vandy... boooooo
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