tylerlindsey2111

Good analysis. Michigan and Iowa State are the only aesthetically pleasing teams to watch on this list. Arizona is talented and capable, same for UCLA, but make my head hurt watching them play.

Previous to the Super Conferences, sure. In this era? No, 8-10 will get them in.

A good mix of both, but I would say the same thing in regard to A&M and their first half. Eight made 3's in a half by them is out of this world. I cite this because of the clear gameplan to short the closeouts toward several of their guys, a way to protect the paint without making auch a strategical change such as playing zone. Tre going nuclear in the second half to that level is far fetched, but much more likely than the prior example.

@Ole Miss - Loss @LSU - Win Arkansas - Win @Vanderbilt - Loss Alabama - Loss Kentucky - Win @South Carolina - Win @Arkansas - Loss Georgia - Win @Mississippi State - Loss Oklahoma - Win Should be in comfortably if it plays out this way.

Offensively: Can Texas get into actions quickly, thus allowing for the ball to hit multiple hands? During the first matchup, A&M was able to use what basketball nerds refer to as "token" pressure to slow Texas down. Out of a 1-2-2 3/4 court zone look, they applied enough pressure to get Texas to eat shot clock usually beginning the offensive possession in the attacking area with anywhere from 18-22 seconds on the clock, instead of 24-27. For a team where the ball sticks a lot anyway, this creates a sense of panic and usually ends up in one ball screen, against loaded help, and hoping to make a tough shot. A&M is far too good defensively for this to be effective. Texas must get the ball quick and advance with the pass as early as possible. Against the pressure, Texas guards were far too passive in the first matchup. You have to attack pressure to score, and while you don't want to turn it over to give up transition points, the defense has to feel the stress at some point of expanding their coverage area. Otherwise, success will remain hard to find at a sustained rate. Defensively: Keep A&M in front of you and off the foul line. A&M crushed Texas in the paint and at the foul line. While the Horns will never have a premier interior defense, the effort level to "guard your yard" has got to be better out of the perimeter and POA defenders. Missouri level defensive effort is a must. A&M is not a great or prolific three point shooting team (30% on 22 attempts per game), and they love playing grind it out games. If Texas can wall off the paint, it should lead to success defensively as well as allow them to run a bit in transition. Could we see some zone from Texas? Would not be out of the realm of possibilities if I was guessing. These are just two things I am interested in looking for in the matchup. Huge game, arguably a must win for Texas. What are you guys interested in seeing? Hook'em!

Honestly? I do not have a ton of confidence in that. Could it happen? Sure. But would require some wholesale changes and those seem less likely with each passing day. Talent wise, they can compete with the best which always gives them a chance. They can definitely get in, Tre get hot and win them a game or two. Would I phrase that as likely? No, more like 10-20%. More likely, is them continuing to be maddening and either being an NIT or First Four team with an exit to a team way less talented.

Another good question! Obviously, I don’t know RT or his thinking on it but from a guy who’s passion is offense, I can see the thought process being they struggled in clutch moments getting a basket last year because their primary POA guy was 5’10 and not a finisher. So, in theory, going out and getting a group of 1v1 shot creators makes sense. The problem they have is two fold now, though: 1) inefficient dribbles and possessions cause frustration which leads to the ball sticking and getting into “your turn, my turn” which is no good; 2) they rely to heavily on the POA player to create EVERYTHING on their own. If you’re a football guy, think of a coach giving a QB an access route or a check down they know they have whenever. It’s almost a cheat code! That is what iso manipulation and creation can be with good ISO guys in basketball, but the way UT is currently doing it, it is making the game look and feel a lot tougher than it actually needs to with the level of individual talent they have.

It’s actually a very good three point shooting team, so Gerry was spot on with that. What it is not, is a great team at creating the best three point shot (inside out catch and shoot). Part of it is playing styles of the guys that primarily have the ball, but also because these guys take a ton of off the dribble threes. Kaluma and Tre passing out of their mid-post ISO’s when defense declares where the double is coming from has been a welcome revelation lately, and should lead to more effective catch and shoot/driving of close out opportunities.

Great question! So a lot of it is a philosophical approach made by RT this year, as is most clearly evidenced by the types of players he filled the roster with. For example, go look at the shot profiles and usage rates of Mark(at Arkansas), Pope, and Kaluma prior to coming to Texas. All three are iso, ball dominant scorers. Add in another of those types of guys, Tre, who is even better at it than they are and you paint yourself into a corner with what, in theory, gives you the best chance at success. Second, from a strategical standpoint, the standing is somewhat beneficial to the downhill drivers in the ISO situations. By holding the corner, for example, you allow the driver to be able to clearly see where the help side defender is rotating from and be able to “spray” the ball out to the right spot and keep the possession moving. Texas big issue offensively is the stagnation occurs at times when false motion or actions to create advantages for the guy with the ball would be very beneficial, which results in a lot of neutral/non penetrating dribbles and passes.

Figured I’d start this thread and see if anyone has questions about the X&O’s aspect of what we’re watching with Texas, or in basketball as a whole. I know there are a bunch of basketball fans out there, so wanted to give a space for conversation and see if I can help anyone gain a better understanding for what we’re seeing (or not seeing). Hook’em!!

He can win the press conference, but his program isn’t conducive to winning college basketball games at a high level anymore.

If you guys think Texas has roster construction issues, try being an Arkansas fan. They spent a good bit of money on guys who had produced numbers but have no fit together. Cal is actually not as much of a DDM offensive guy anymore as what he’s been known for in the past. His refusal to adapt or progress has really put a halt to his ability to have success in the college game.

Understand your sentiment, but I would emphasize the necessity of scoring and pressuring the rim through gap creation exploitation by all the ISO, mismatch scorers you have recruited; not the "post players" who are incapable of efficiently operating out of the "post."

My biggest issue with Shed/Onyema is their usage, not them. I have no problem with them as players, or even their skill sets. I have issues with the way they are applied. We run rip screens to get 1v1 matchups for these dudes with their backs to the basket, yet they are not back to the basket players from what I have seen (or what their career numbers say). We have a team full of ISO ballhandlers and scorers, why are we eating up space on the block and throwing it to someone who is incapable of averaging 1.0 PPP on their 1v1 postups? It makes zero sense and is such an antiquated look at the game.

@bierce I would be happy to do it and start the topics and answer questions people have. Just seems the fan base doesn't have the same deeper interest in the why, like they do in football.

I wish there was a site that provided nuance and breakdown stuff for basketball the way that they do for football. I get that it appeals to a much wider market and it is the bell-cow, but would be fun to engage in meaningful, educated discourse around hoops that was more than "bring Beard back" or "set more screens".

College basketball is a 21-23 year old’s game right now. Tre isn’t this team’s issue, neither is talent for most part. Execution, buy in, consistency, front court presence/depth. Don’t allow yourselves to get caught up on small size or be prisoners of the moment. Tre is awesome, and this team has plenty of older firepower on the whole to be a solid team.

That’s a good win.

The reject, the throw and go off the horns set. All of that is great read teaching/false motion window dressing. Why can’t we get those type of quick creates all the time?

There we go, RT!!!! ATO, huge possession; horns set, zoom action, reject into pick and roll, down screen for a wide open three for your lottery guy. Who cares it didn’t go in; where is that all the time?!

Great defensive possession by big to big switching and by Tre Johnson. Board given up by Larry, but his effort was undeniable.

His seal on hi-lo is so piss poor it’s not even worth commenting on.

I am the furthest thing from a Shed/Onyema fan. Kaluma is awesome.

A lot more two post, high low flash tonight. Do I love it? No. But at least it’s an identity we can go to when in flux.

Larry is from Frisco, went to Lone Star and the iSchool. Idk about Kent.