The challenge for Matas will be to be physical without fouling.

We're winning! 😉

🤘

 

ICYMI, Lassina Traore is out for tonight's game.

Heide has at least held his own defensively early on.

Texas is 2-for-2 from 3-point range, 4-for-8 from the field in the first four minutes.

Texas 10, Florida 6

15:16 to go, 1H

Sean Miller couldn't have asked for a much better first four minutes. He challenged the starters to be better than they were to start the Georgia game and they responded.

2 hours ago, MarkInAustin said:

Jordan Pope is not a defensive threat against most of the guys he must cover in the SEC.  In fact, he is a liability.  He physically cannot defend the three point line because he must be in the face of the shooter to defend it, which guarantees a foul.  He is better off leaving his man open for three and crashing the boards - it is that bad.  I write this as someone who had the same problem defending guys three inches taller than I on the perimeter.  Might as well race to the boards as the shooter committed.

[That was in City League, I never played in school].

There are some good man defenders on the team.  What I find disappointing are team lapses - open lanes, open baselines, allowing a man to get behind the entire team at the basket... .  Two of the best man defenders are the engines of the offense, Swain and Mark.  They may suffer fatigue in grueling games, which shows on defense first.

I think Matas is quicker than you think he is, Jordan, but I think he simply hasn't mastered the game yet as he is still relying on his height and strength, rather than his positioning.  I believe he is often guilty of [fortunately for Texas uncalled] three second violations, btw.

I agree, Matas just needs to play more basketball. 

On the floor out of the media timeout: Wilcher, Weaver, Swain, Heide and Codie

The Longhorns have made their last three shots and five of their last seven.

Hellacious start for the Longhorns!

Texas 18, Florida 12

11:22 to go, 1H

 

 

It was an 8-0 run by the Longhorns before that second-chance bucket (and Matas' first foul).

A pull up jumper prevents what just happened.

6 hours ago, Jordan91 said:

Texas has no defense. They win when they are shooting well and find a way to be at least average on defense. The current team will not step up and be consistent for the rest of the season on defense. When a coach has to talk about over and over it means they can’t do it. Florida is excellent at positions Texas is the weakest at. Matas can’t handle their forwards and centers. He doesn’t have the quickness to stay in front of them. He’s slow to rotate to begin with. He’s still learning the game so based off that he is doing very well. This is not something he’s ready for. defensively. Texas has no power forward so good luck with that. Texas still has the punchers chance though. If they light it up from three and Florida just has one of those nights where the ball just won’t go in they can win. I hope they win, but I am not expecting that to happen. I will watch and root for them though. Also Texas crowd doesn’t get that loud anymore anyway. It’s not like Texas has a sizable home court advantage. They cheer on dunks and when the game is close and it’s winning time. Texas is still building in all phases. Hoping for the best. 

Our student section is the worst. Do they know you’re supposed to be loud all the time? Not just when you have momentum or in big moments. Drives me nuts!

Texas with nine points off four Florida turnovers after Swain's run-out dunk.

Lee’s hair is so bouncy.  Don’t know how you can play like that 

Tramon Mark already has 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting (2-for-3 on 3-pointers).

Texas is 12-for-20 from the field after Matas' bucket.

Texas 27, Florida 26

6:58 to go, 1H

Pretty competitive first 13:00 minutes.

Like what I am seeing from the defensive rebounding perspective.

Texas will certainly need any and all lenient officiating crews in the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament. 

Only one whistle so far on Texas, which is a huge bonus.

Starters are back on the floor, except Codie is in for Matas, coming out of the media timeout.