Texas Women’s Basketball - Relentless Defense is Special…

[Kevin C]

That was an awesome win over a very good Michigan team last night. The Lady Longhorns are playing their best basketball of the season at exactly the right time.

This season is also a great example of why the SEC matters. Back in January and February, Texas lost 3 of 8 games, including that 16-point loss to Vanderbilt on February 10.  I remember Coach Vic challenging this team in that stretch, and it feels like that moment galvanized them. Since then, they’ve taken their defensive intensity to another level and they haven’t lost since. 🤘🏼🧡

That SEC gauntlet is paying off now. Add in a strong non-conference schedule, and Texas was built for this March run, even when the threes aren’t dropping. 

Think about the Lady Longhorn résumé this season:

Beat #3 UCLA by 11 in November.

Also beat #11 North Carolina, #13 Baylor, and #24 Richmond out of conference.

In SEC play, beat #2 South Carolina twice, including a 17-point win in the SEC title game,  plus wins over #10 Oklahoma, #5 LSU, #22 Tennessee, #24 Alabama, #24 Ole Miss, and #18 Kentucky twice, including a 22-point Sweet 16 win.

And last night was more proof. Texas couldn’t buy a three in the first half but absolutely smothered Michigan defensively. Holding the Wolverines to 21 first-half points and winning by 36 was no fluke. This defense is relentless, and Rori Harmon sets the tone.

That SEC Championship game against South Carolina still stands out. I honestly can’t remember seeing Texas come out with that kind of intensity against a top team. Five minutes in, it was obvious South Carolina was in trouble. Texas led 27-12 after the first quarter and never let up. SEC champs in Year 2 in the conference. Incredible.

Way to go Coach Vic, Madison Booker, Rori Harmon, Lee, Oldacre, Carlton, and the whole team. Keep it rolling in the rematch with UCLA on Friday.

 

Hook ’em. 🧡🤘🏼🐂

Edited yesterday at 12:54 PM by Kevin C

[HookemDTX]

 

[WRNC]

23 minutes ago, HookemDTX said:

 

Modern-day Rudy

[Joe Naural]

Big fan of strong schedules …. Big A&$$ whuppping any Michigan team …specially woke … karens!.

[Paul Jespersen]

That was a humbled Michigan squad, lol.
They came in to the game with their righteous indignation following margins of victory in the tournament:

35 pt margin over Holy Cross
29 points over NC State
19 points over Louisville

and then took a 36 point BTA margin in the loss to Texas

Michigan also scored over 100 in multiple games this season and the 41 allowed by Texas was by far their lowest output of the entire season... less than half their season average ppg...

Ouch.

🤘

[Kevin C]

3 hours ago, Paul Jespersen said:

That was a humbled Michigan squad, lol.
They came in to the game with their righteous indignation following margins of victory in the tournament:

35 pt margin over Holy Cross
29 points over NC State
19 points over Louisville

and then took a 36 point BTA margin in the loss to Texas

Michigan also scored over 100 in multiple games this season and the 41 allowed by Texas was by far their lowest output of the entire season... less than half their season average ppg...

Ouch.

🤘

Agree.   Very similar to the 1st qtr start of SEC Championship Game against South Carolina.

Michigan down 18-4 with 3:06 left in first qtr.   Suffocating defense by the Horns, never letting up.   It’s becoming contagious.    

Keep that defense rolling against UCLA!!!

Hook em!! 🤘🏼🐂🧡

[Kevin C]

Love this article on Coach Vic and the Lady Longhorns re-commitment after Vandy blowout loss mid-Feb.

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48351875/texas-routs-michigan-make-final-four-women-ncaa-tournament-second-straight-year

[Kevin C]

Texas currently 1.5 point favorite over UCLA.   In the past few weeks, the Horns have held #3 South Carolina to 61 pts (25 below their avg) and #7 Michigan to 41 pts (42 below their avg).  Really interested to see how Texas does against UCLA offense and Betts, averaging 85 pts on 51% shooting.

csnt wait for Friday night.  should be great game/

Hook em!! 🏀🤘🏼🐂🧡

[ChanmanV]

The difference has been how good our 4s have been defending of late. Carlton and Sidberry  have really stepped up their defensive attention. When you have all 5 players pressuring passing lanes and attacking any weak dribble action, it's tough to run your offense and have any kind of rhythm. They may make some tough shots, but not with any consistency and that's what we've seen the last couple weeks. Rori sets the tone and she's not as flashy as Hannah Hidalgo but she is similar in the chaos she can cause. But Rori is the better straight up defender taking less big risks and playing better position to challenge shots and take charges. If Rori has her way with UCLA's PGs early, we have great chance to get out to a lead. 

We're just really good at creating this atmosphere of chaotic pressure but it not being overly risky so the opponents don't get wide open shots if they clear the chaos. I expect immense pressure on Rice and Leger Walker and us to again 3/4 front Betts to make the entry pass tough. 

The only thing that could derail us is foul trouble. We've been excellent at avoiding that so far and having our rotations maximized. 

Edited 6 hours ago by ChanmanV

[HookemTexas]

Also with Texas' relentless pressure, the players get tired.  Having to run away from the pressure all game starts to wear on you, that's why the Texas pull away is usually in the 2nd half when the opposing team's legs start to give out, that's when the mistakes start compounding possession after possession.