Game Analysis (Texas vs. Illinois)

BevoNation

BevoNation

500+ Posts
I hadn't really been following basketball as the opening games are just meaningless fluff and I hate it. Yesterday we got quite a treat and these are my layman observations:
1. We have talent. Maybe not as much as last year, but it's definitely there.
2. We're sorely lacking depth. Towards the end of the game there was a lot less movement without the ball that led to some very bad shots.
3. This feels so much more like a team. I loved seeing the guys' interactions between plays and watching some of the younger players start developing into vocal leaders. If only our football team could take a lesson...
4. The new scheme, whatever we're doing, is so much more fun to watch.
5. So far, we seem to be doing alright without a true big man. Thompson is doing a stellar job protecting the post and he's getting double help when he needs it, really impressive individual and team effort.
6. I knew Balbay was good at defense but HOT DAMN he was a complete stud last night, especially in OT.
7. We still can't seem to put the "charity" in "charity stripe".
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What were y'alls observations of this team from last night's game?
 
The bungled play that could have won the game in regulation stuck out. Barnes immediately looked at the floor to scream at someone.

The calls were quite one-sided for most of the game. It's probably because Illinois is so physical and bigger, but it got a little ticky-tack at points.

We were 6 FTs shy of my "acceptable" mark for a game, which lies mostly on Thompson and a little bit on Hamilton and Johnson. It's funny how you can come up with a scrappy win in regulation just by hitting 1 or 2 more shots from the stripe early. Thompson is throwing the ball at the rim like Shaq, except Shaq is 7'0" 300 lbs and Thompson should have a hair more arc on it.

Lucas's line looks bad (0-2, 2 reb, 0 ast) but he really provided a spark when he was in there. If he became a threat on either side of the ball, it would be great to have another player to account for.

Joseph is trying too hard to make stuff happen. He's really not a PG, but with our new "Utah Jazz" offense, he's forced into a role that he's not old enough to get yet. Poor shot selection, kind of like Bradley in 90% of our games last year.

If Hamilton develops some ball control to his game, he'd be an easy lottery pick this year. Like, top 5 if he cuts back on the mistakes and plays better D.

I'm really, really glad the team won a game like this. I just hope it's not like a UNC debacle where we get all high and mighty and then realize it was just one good game.
 
it was a good win for a young team. i liked out movement and attempts to get inside early. we have talent, we moved the ball around well early but we also hit some bombs. i'm curious how we will play/adjust to having an off night. we looked awesome last year early too. didn't we beat pitt last year? i think we match up well with them tonight. balbay is a great defender because of his effort. defense on the court is all about effort. you do not even need any talent to do it either. but watching balbal on offense is about as frustrating as it gets. teams will eventually adjust like they did last year because he is absolutely no threat to score. teams will be able to lay off him as if shaq was standing out at the 3 line.
 
1) I saw us get tired, but I know that Todd Wright will address that. If we could have the depth that was mentioned above, this wouldn't be a problem... No more DJ Augustine type playing for 40 minutes from this group.

2) Does anyone remember a time where we were able to hit free throws super awesome? I remember some spot performers on teams here and there, but it has to be since our 03' team or even the Fightin' Brandy Perrymans from back in the day since I felt like we could win a game by making free throws.

3) Illinois will win some games and help us with the ol' RPI come March, but they made some serious mistakes in this game. I kept waiting for us to get blown out and it just didn't happen.

4) That overtime was just awesome basketball.

5) I may be overly optimistic here, but I believe we keep the Pitt game close tonight enough to win it late but we lose our legs and lose the game. Could you imagine if we win this freaking game?

6) The only thing that will keep this team from winning games is if it starts getting in their head.
 
I like what I saw in spurts. The offense at times, looked like we had an offense, but I again saw visions of last season for 3-4 minute stretches.

I will not get too high on this team after the way they started last season, but it does look like Hamilton is making better decisions (at times), but when he makes a bad decision, it is usually followed by him trying to make up for it, and making another one.

Obviously, it Texas can solve the lapses it has on offense, I think they could be a top 10-12 team, but I am afraid of what will happen when teams start defending these guys better and the shots do not come as easy. I hope they can be patient and find the open shot.
 
1. Agreed we have ton of talent but I actually think we have more this year. We had nobody that could play like Thompson last year and Hamilton has taken his game to another level. Joseph is going to get better and better.

2. Depth in college basketball is a bit overrated. As long we don't have injuries that is.

3. Agreed. Team basketball on offense and defense.

4. Agreed. heard they worked with Jerry Sloan in offseason to figure out how to run an offense. seems to be working.

5. This may hurt us depending on who we play.

6. Balbay is great at defense. But still a liability on offense.

7. Team is shooting 61% from line. Thompson and Johnson are the 2 that hurt the most. They shoot the most FTs and are by far the worst. I would like to see Brown get more attempts.
 
My analysis:

Same as above, except like to mention that this team is not a good 3 point shooting team right now. Would like to see 1 or 2 guys step up there (Hamilton, Brown). Also would like to see more assists and somebody to step up there as well (Brown, Joseph).
 
When Cory Joseph finally gets it and becomes both a scoring and distributing machine...watch out. After Pitt we should 6-7 cupcakes to practice on...i figure he will start to feel more comfortable with the offense and the college game. With 4 legit scorers and Balbay's defense and rebounding this team will be stout.
 
I am very pleased at the changes that Barnes has instituted. Its good to know that he has been able to step back and realize that the offense had become so stagnant. He appears to lack a big ego and stubborness and has made the needed changes and that bodes well for the future
 
It felt so good to watch this game yesterday. I expected Texas to win, despite being the lower ranked team. That was a feeling that I used to feel all the time when I watched Texas sports, hence why 2010 has been such a weird year.

You know, thinking about it, 2010 began terribly because of Texas Basketball. Maybe Texas Basketball will be the jump start to an awesome 2011 season.
 
Did anyone else notice the complete lack of screens (on-ball or otherwise) for Hamilton and Brown?

Neither one of those guys are good 1-on-1 players and force way too many shots when put in a position to try and take a defender off the dribble. Both are excellent rhythm shooters, and yet we completely abandoned the Abrams model of setting screens to allow open looks from deep.

In my opinion we still rely way too much on 1-on-1 battles to score, which leads to big scoring droughts like we had last night. Am I making this up?
 
My analysis....

"i dunno"....but I really enjoyed watching this team. It was fun. Not sure where we are going but I think it is going to be a fun ride. They seem very likable.

Glad to have something to look forward to.
 
I'm pleasantly surprised - the "new and improved offense" is actually new and improved. Our ball movement is a lot better than it has been since ... maybe ever.

Balbay is an amazing defender. He's a pretty good passer too - his lack of outside shooting makes him look like a worse passer than he is because he has to get right at the rim before defenders will sag off or rotate.

Tristan Thompson looks a lot more crisp than I expected. I knew he was tall and athletic, but he seems to be maturing fast as well. My only worry is he seems to end up moving away from the rim when shooting a bit too much. Reminds me of LaMarcus in that regard - it worked great at times, but when he was off with that shot, not only was he taking himself out of the picture to follow his shot, but he was letting physical defenders dictate his game to him (see the LSU loss for the example #1, but there were others).
 
J Brown isn't turning it over as much but he stiill takes too much risk with the ball. He is one secret to the Horns success. this because he can provide significant, effective, minutes if he would not turn the ball over. barnes won't give him much time if j'turnover brown is at play.

Hamilton is playing much better at times. I like what he is doing but he needs to convert more in the crunch times if he is going to try and be the take over the game guy.

Tristan is the real deal. The form on the FT is pretty close. he just needs to arc it a bit more as said above and practice it.
 
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