This is the most I’ve been excited about Texas basketball. Even more so than the 05-06 season. And I’ll tell you why: I love the way this team fights. They are absolutely tenacious on defense. The rebounding woes we suffered early in the season are now a distant memory. We may not out-rebound every team every night, but we hang tough on the boards (last night, we won the rebound battle 41-37).
Our help side defense is tremendous. There were numerous times when a KSU player would drive the baseline only to be cut off by a Texas defender and a second Texas defender comes over to harass. The KSU guy would pass out and our defense would rotate back to man or to the zone. It was fantastic.
We may not contest every shot, but that’s OK. The pressure defense alone will cause shooters to rush shots, or not feel in rhythm. Making a shooter work hard to get a shot is just as good as contesting the shot. So, despite our smaller sized guards, the on ball defense contributes most to limiting opponents FG%.
Our zone is moving to the ball much more quickly and tenaciously. But, the best part of that zone is our rebounding. We have really improved our rebounding when we’re in zone.
Texas plays hard and tough. They can finesse you with shooters, or bang inside with some big guys. Our guards are obviously our bread and butter, but the contributions by Chap, Alexis, Dex and mainly Gary are key and should not be overlooked.
If we continue this intensity, toughness and courage, there is not a more dangerous team in the country. We could lose in the first round, but the way this team has evolved, it won’t happen.
As Coach Norman Dale said “My TEAM is on the floor”.
Our help side defense is tremendous. There were numerous times when a KSU player would drive the baseline only to be cut off by a Texas defender and a second Texas defender comes over to harass. The KSU guy would pass out and our defense would rotate back to man or to the zone. It was fantastic.
We may not contest every shot, but that’s OK. The pressure defense alone will cause shooters to rush shots, or not feel in rhythm. Making a shooter work hard to get a shot is just as good as contesting the shot. So, despite our smaller sized guards, the on ball defense contributes most to limiting opponents FG%.
Our zone is moving to the ball much more quickly and tenaciously. But, the best part of that zone is our rebounding. We have really improved our rebounding when we’re in zone.
Texas plays hard and tough. They can finesse you with shooters, or bang inside with some big guys. Our guards are obviously our bread and butter, but the contributions by Chap, Alexis, Dex and mainly Gary are key and should not be overlooked.
If we continue this intensity, toughness and courage, there is not a more dangerous team in the country. We could lose in the first round, but the way this team has evolved, it won’t happen.
As Coach Norman Dale said “My TEAM is on the floor”.
