UT hosts UTSA Saturday night

BabHorn

BabHorn

10,000+ Posts
For the third year in a row, UTSA and Texas kick off the season. This season, the game is this Saturday at 7 pm in Austin. The Roadrunners are coming off a 16/15 season while Texas reached the Sweet Sixteen last season. Last year, the result was a 68-48 win for the Longhorns. Texas is ranked #11 in preseason polls while UTSA is unranked.

UTSA lost three starters from last year, including their leading scorer and two others among the top five scorers. They do return their leading rebounding in Akunna Elonu (#21.5-9 Sr. F). Tesha Smith (#30, 6-1 Jr. C) was second in scoring last season at 7.6 ppg . Mathilde Hergott (#2, 5-10 Sr. G/F) joins Elonu as a returning starter. Carlie Heineman, (#31, 6-0 Soph. G) (22-65. 33.8%), Mathilde Hergott (# 2, 5-10 Sr. G/F) (23-86. .26.7%) and Niaga Mitchell-Cole (#12, 5-10 Sr/ GF) (4-31, 12.9%) are the leading returning 3pt shooters for UTSA.

There are 13 players on the roster. One will sit out this season as a transfer student. Smith, the Roadrunners top returning scorer from last season, did not play in either of the two exhibition games UTSA played earlier. The tallest player on the Roadrunner roster is 6-2 Taylor Williams, (#25, Sr. F) who played in 20 games last season. She did not play in either exhibition games. Dempsey Thornton (#23, 6-1 GS C) has started both exhibition games. She was a four year VB player taking her last season of eligibility in WBB. Alexus Dukes (#3, 5-6 Fr. G) and Sara Anastasieska (#11, 5-11 Fr. G) are the two newcomers to the team. Dukes has started both exhibition games.

Projected starters: based on the second exhibition game starters for UTSA and the second scrimmage for Texas.

Texas.............. UTSA
Imani................Thornton
Kelsey............... Elonu
Empress............ Mitchell-Cole
Celina............... Hergott
Brooke............. Dukes

Heineman was the leading scorer for the Roadrunners in last season’s game by hitting 5-10 3pters. Two years ago, Imani led Texas with a double double. Last season, Kelsey was the leading scorer for Texas. UTSA had trouble stopping Imani and Kelsey inside. That should continue in this game, especially if both play together.

UT has beaten UTSA by at least 20 pts the last two seasons. It should be at least that margin, probably larger, as the Horns mix and match player rotations throughout the game. I expect a lot of fastbreaks off rebounds as the Horns dominate the boards.

Sure hope that a record number of season tickets sold results in a bigger opening game crowd than the 2400-2500+ the last two seasons.

One big change: The radio station carrying the game will now be 104.9 FM “The Horn” instead of KVET. The LHN will carry the game. Game time is 7 PM CST.

Texassports.com pregame story: http://www.texassports.com/news/2015/11/13/WBB_1113151330.aspx

UTSA pregame story: http://www.goutsa.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=55692&SPID=5989&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=210494545&DB_OEM_ID=13100

Daily Texan pregame story: http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/11/13/no-12-texas-prepares-for-home-opener-against-utsa

AAS story: http://www.hookem.com/2015/11/13/expectations-soar-for-texas-womens-basketball/
 
I'm driving in tomorrow - will stick around for Wednesday's game as well. Has the drive from DFW to Austin become as bad as all the horror stories I've been hearing?
 
DFW_Horn said:
Has the drive from DFW to Austin become as bad as all the horror stories I've been hearing?
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I did it 10 months ago when returning to the State, had not done the drive in 20 years, and it was terrible. I don't recall if it started in Waco, or just outside, or how long it lasted - perhaps as far as the Salado area - there was a lot of construction and just sitting in traffic. And this wasn't during peak hours. You might have expected it to improve by now, but a friend just did the drive a few weeks ago, and had the same experience. Hopefully you'll get lucky and hit the road at just the right time!
 
DFW_Horn said:
I'm driving in tomorrow - will stick around for Wednesday's game as well. Has the drive from DFW to Austin become as bad as all the horror stories I've been hearing?
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I have been making that trip almost every week this fall to see football in the DFW area during the weekends. The car trip is OK except for the construction from south of Waco to near Belton and then the traffic in the Round Rock area. Look for the accidents on Google maps and try to time your trip stops. If your destination is in south Austin, then the toll cost of $6 on SH130 is worth it depending upon the traffic in the Round Rock area.

Timing is everything to avoid congestion in the Waco-Temple area. Saturday PM driving and late Sunday are the "pits" for that construction. Also try to avoid that area during rush hour traffic. Going through Waco is OK during that time, but south of there could be a big problem and depending upon accidents.
 
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Babhorn - can't tell you how much I look forward to your game previews. It's got to be a lot of work for you; all I can say is thanks!
 
Thanks, skykingtx. Sometimes the timing is a bit tight.
Woohoo! FB this morning, WBB this evening. Awesome Saturday.

Watched the MBB team lay an egg in China. Hopefully, it was just opening night jitters along with a new system.

Horns shouldn't have that problem playing at home in a system they are now four years in.

Can't wait for this season to get underway. I want to see how we look as a team compared to what I saw last night of Baylor and OU.
 
BabHorn said:
Thanks, skykingtx. Sometimes the timing is a bit tight.
Woohoo! FB this morning, WBB this evening. Awesome Saturday.

Watched the MBB team lay an egg in China. Hopefully, it was just opening night jitters along with a new system.

Horns shouldn't have that problem playing at home in a system they are now four years in.

Can't wait for this season to get underway. I want to see how we look as a team compared to what I saw last night of Baylor and OU.
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I am guessing we will start Imani, Sara, Brianna, Lashann, and Brooke.

I believe Brady was cleared to play, but Ariel and Diani have not. No word on why Jordan didn't play the last game, so I assume she won't be available today, either.
 
I think Ariel will be cleared the week of the Tenn if not a few days earlier. No idea on Diani other than she will "miss the early part of the season." I wonder if she will be ready to go by conference. I hope Jordan will play this game. Missed her getting PT vs UT-Arlington (scrimmage).
 
BabHorn said:
http://www.hookem.com/2015/11/13/position-by-position-breakdown/
Kinda wonder why they have Diani listed as a C. No way will she play at C once she comes back. Not much of a breakdown, basically listing the players and their positions.
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Center? It's a small sample size but based on last year's results, I'm not sure she can play the 4. Based on Jordan's, Sara's and Joyner's skills and athleticism, Diani might be buried on the depth chart for the foreseeable future. That's not even factoring in the twins.
 
DFW_Horn said:
Based on Jordan's, Sara's and Joyner's skills and athleticism, Diani might be buried on the depth chart for the foreseeable future. That's not even factoring in the twins.
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I agree with that assessment but that still does not make her a C. And she will lose another semester maybe to injury for the second year in a row. I wonder how much she will be able to come back. Hopefully, she will come back strong and make a case for PT. That will only make us better in the frontcourt.
 
I won't count on Diani to contribute until she gets healthy and in better condition. Unfortunately, that might be too late if she loses another season of eligibility with just a few minutes here and there. Unfortunately, some players can't get past injuries and it changes the course of their careers and priorities.
 
BabHorn said:
I think Ariel will be cleared the week of the Tenn if not a few days earlier. No idea on Diani other than she will "miss the early part of the season." I wonder if she will be ready to go by conference. I hope Jordan will play this game. Missed her getting PT vs UT-Arlington (scrimmage).
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Only players not stretching are Ariel, Diani and Khaleann so Jordan might get some PT.
 
Lashann had a tough first half but had a much better second half, she is a good defender and I am excited to see how she progresses this season. Brooke looked great all night, I think she went 4-6 from 3 pt line. I was also pleasantly surprised with Celina, she looked good tonight too. So glad the season is finally underway!
 
DFW_Horn said:
Center? It's a small sample size but based on last year's results, I'm not sure she can play the 4. Based on Jordan's, Sara's and Joyner's skills and athleticism, Diani might be buried on the depth chart for the foreseeable future. That's not even factoring in the twins.
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TOTALLY AGREE. Diani isn't athletic enough. I think with 4 new scholarship players coming in next season and only 3 seniors (assuming Sarah Hattis remains), Diani will probably get the talk and transfer out. Just speculation based on past observation.
 
loyallonghorn said:
TOTALLY AGREE. Diani isn't athletic enough. I think with 4 new scholarship players coming in next season and only 3 seniors (assuming Sarah Hattis remains), Diani will probably get the talk and transfer out. Just speculation based on past observation.
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We have 4 seniors; Imani, Empress, Brady and Celina. But, I do understand what you are saying about Diani.
 
I hope the outside shooting tonight wasn't a fluke. This was the most complete Texas team I've seen in a long time! :hookem2:
 
A lot to like in this game. Brooke and Celina looked much more confident, and it was great to see them putting up (and making) shots. More of that please! This game confirmed my initial impression of Lashann, and showed why she's so dangerous. On a night when her shot wasn't falling (0-5 from BTA), and having scored just one point at the half, she came out after the break and got right back after it. She is fearless, perhaps a little too much so at times, but that's early season frosh stuff. She finished with 11 pts, 4 steals, 3 rbs and an assist.....on a bad night (for her) and in just 19 mins of play. As the season progresses and her selection improves a bit, and she takes care of the ball a tad better, watch out. I really like Jordan, and what she brings to the rotation; 8 rbs in just 13 minutes. Just 11 TOs for the game. Most exciting of all is that we should have Ariel back very soon; Coach Mays said before the game that she has been cleared for full practice
 
Good overall performance. I laughed after Empress drained a 3-point shot for the first basket of the 2015-16 season; way to go ED! That set the tone for several players hitting 3-pointers early in the first quarter.

Imani looks like she dropped some weight. Seems to be in the best shape of her college career, and really ran the floor well. She seemed frustrated tonight based on whatever UTSA defenders were doing.

Not to upset anyone, but Tasia still looks very small. Even next to Brooke she looks significantly smaller.

Brooke was fantastic. She just has such great court awareness.

Seemed like the whole team fell in love with the 3-point shot; while some should have the green light, not sure Lashann needs to jack up so many so early in the shot clock. Needs to penetrate and go with her strengths.

Hosey doesn't seem to be 100%; or perhaps, just needs to develop more confidence.

Celina's shooting really has improved so much since she was freshman; good to see her have success tonight.

Brianna didn't seem to have a memorable performance; she brought such a spark more often then not when she entered a game last season. Perhaps we just didn't need a spark last night.

I realize the starting lineup last night has partly due to injuries to other players. And, the lineup can work in certain situations. What I don't like is that you are basically starting your two best Centers and two best point guards. If one gets a foul early, and gets sent to the bench, chancer are the other will get their first foul shortly afterwards; then what?
 
Moooooo said:
Good overall performance. I laughed after Empress drained a 3-point shot for the first basket of the 2015-16 season; way to go ED! That set the tone for several players hitting 3-pointers early in the first quarter.
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I was at the game. When they started out shooting 3-pointers, I thought, "I wonder if they're reading an obscure fan site that was talking about how poor 3 point shooters they are?"

In the after-game fan meeting they have at the Erwin center, Aston came in late because she had to do media. I was going to ask her about the 3-pointer barrage to start the game, but she got to it first. She said that they like to score out of the post, but the look that UTSA gave her team right at the start of the game was explicitly to cover that option. She said that she was proud that the team went immediately to the 3-point shot. She said they didn't discuss the possibility that UTSA would crowd the paint like that during the week and that the team just went to the other option immediately without hesitation.
 
Between her 3-pt shooting and that little floater from the baseline, Brooke is going to give a lot of defenders headaches. Close out on the 3 too aggressively, she dribbles past, hang back to defend the drive and she gets the little added space she needs to shoot BTA.

We saw both sides of the 'change gear' remark made by Coach Aston regarding Lashann. I hope we see more of the havoc she caused in the 2nd half rather than her frenetic play in the 1st. Maybe Coach Thompson told her at half the same thing she's said on LHN,"Play fast but don't hurry."
 
Moooooo said:
Good overall performance. I laughed after Empress drained a 3-point shot for the first basket of the 2015-16 season; way to go ED! That set the tone for several players hitting 3-pointers early in the first quarter.

Imani looks like she dropped some weight. Seems to be in the best shape of her college career, and really ran the floor well. She seemed frustrated tonight based on whatever UTSA defenders were doing.

Not to upset anyone, but Tasia still looks very small. Even next to Brooke she looks significantly smaller.

Brooke was fantastic. She just has such great court awareness.

Seemed like the whole team fell in love with the 3-point shot; while some should have the green light, not sure Lashann needs to jack up so many so early in the shot clock. Needs to penetrate and go with her strengths.

Hosey doesn't seem to be 100%; or perhaps, just needs to develop more confidence.

Celina's shooting really has improved so much since she was freshman; good to see her have success tonight.

Brianna didn't seem to have a memorable performance; she brought such a spark more often then not when she entered a game last season. Perhaps we just didn't need a spark last night.

I realize the starting lineup last night has partly due to injuries to other players. And, the lineup can work in certain situations. What I don't like is that you are basically starting your two best Centers and two best point guards. If one gets a foul early, and gets sent to the bench, chancer are the other will get their first foul shortly afterwards; then what?
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Yep, it was funny and I was hoping that she would prove me wrong but she hit the first one and then didn't fare too well after and shot her typical 2 for 7 or 2 for 8 from the field. In my opinion she still needs to stop shooting 3's and focus on the mid range. Lashann was solid but she needs to slow down and play more under control. Also her shot selection needs to improve, and I would also like to see her focus more on trying to master the mid range. Brooke shot the ball well, and it was nice to see Coach Aston actually trying to run plays to get her more shots.

If Brady and Ariel continue to be out and Celina and Brooke play together Celina will be the most important player on the court. I just want to see if anyone outside of Brooke will be able to shoot the ball reasonably well consistently from the three point line. Celina has shot the ball well before in games, now let's see if she can do it consistently against better competition, that will be the key.

I thought Jordan played well, she just needs to finish better around the rim and make her free throws. But the thing that impressed me the most was the offense that Coach Aston ran. I liked the little things that she did, like running more high ball screens above the three point line at the top of the key for the point guards. Also setting ball screens in the middle of the court for the guards.

But what I really liked was that they were actually running real two man game. and there were opinions off of that. The point guards would throw the ball to the wing and go to the opposite side which creates more space and they could actually run real two man game. The players just looked and played with more instinct on the court. They didn't look like they were thinking and playing like robots the way that they have in Coach Aston's system since she's been the coach at Texas.

The best play of the game in my opinion was when Brooke caught the ball on the wing and drove base line and kicked the ball back out to Celina for the three. That was an instinctive play that you didn't see last year. We'll see how the offense looks and whether or not they can shoot the ball well against better competition. But for now, the offense looked really good.
 
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Sangre Naranjada said:
Why do you think if one player gets an early foul another player is more likely to follow suit?
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Because players commit fouls, especially post players who attempt to block shots or establish position in the paint. I doubt Kelsey or Imani have ever gone the first half without committing at least one foul each.
 
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