Game Thread: Texas hosts No. 1 ranked (current) Tennessee and Rick Barnes

The Longhorns are about in a must win scenario today against No. 1 Tennessee after starting 0-2 in SEC play, and road trips to ranked Oklahoma and Florida to come after today. 

Tennessee lost 73-43 at Florida earlier this week in the worst shooting game ever by a team ranked No. 1. Rick Barnes brings the Volunteeers into Austin in bounce back mode. 

Texas (11-4, 0-2) vs. No. 1 Tennessee (14-1, 1-1)
When: 5pm CST
TV: ESPN
Where: Moody Center (Austin, Texas)
Line: Tennessee -5.5
O/U: 136.5

The line is only 5.5 😂🤣 we are going 0 and 5 in our first 5 SEC games 

Sucks about having our dreams crushed 12 hours ago, but at least we get to play Rick Barnes and his #1 ranked team in basketball today. 

2 hours ago, Joe Zura said:

The line is only 5.5 😂🤣 we are going 0 and 5 in our first 5 SEC games 

OU is far from unbeatable, even in Norman.

Today's game will be strength against strength.  Texas is the 8th best 3pt shooting team in the country.  Tennessee has the best 3pt% defense in the country, but it hasn't played many teams that shoot well from the arc.  Virginia is 60th, but it has so many weaknesses that it doesn't matter what they shoot from the arc.  Baylor is 78th. 

But I'm mostly concerned about getting hammered on the boards again and witnessing way too much one on five offense. 

Too soon Gerry, I need to mourn a little bit more over this football defeat…thank God, I didn’t drive to Ohio and started fighting Buckeye fans.

3 hours ago, Red Five said:

Sucks about having our dreams crushed 12 hours ago, but at least we get to play Rick Barnes and his #1 ranked team in basketball today. 

Speaking of Rick Barnes... I'd take him back in a heartbeat.

I was sure Shaka was going to work out...he does everywhere but Austin.

We were aligned to be a top program until Beard until let his domestic emotions get the better of him.

RT is OK but it just doesn't have the feeling that success is around the corner.

CDC? Do you keep a list in your top desk drawer?

Hook 'Em!

No mercy, I feel, coming from Barnes and Tennessee today. This sucks, but at least we have women's basketball and baseball and softball to look forward to. 😁🤘

Skipping basketball and going right to baseball.

12 minutes ago, Texas84 said:

Skipping basketball and going right to baseball.

Probably the best thing to do. I wish the men's basketball team all the best but I don't think we have much of anything this season. I hope I'm proven wrong. 🤘

I don’t have the fight in me after last night.  Hoping to be pleasantly surprised.  

Belt to add incoming for us as usual. I can’t wait till we hire a competent basketball coach.

Seeing a little improvement in the offense from the last game.  Last play included a clear attempt to screen away from the ball to create an open shot for Mark.  He missed, but it was several degrees of complexity beyond the one on five we saw in the first half against Auburn.

On an earlier possession, Johnson had to beg Mark to drive for the bucket.  He did and got it.

Maybe the chemistry can build for these guys.

 

Nice pass by Larry to cutting Kent.  Tennessee had to foul him to prevent layup.

Much better motion on offense.  Too much moving ball with dribbles, instead of passing, but we aren't stagnant.

Nice drive and dish by Tre followed by a 3 by Tre to stop a Tenn run. 

Tre hugging Pope after Pope missed a transition 3.

Liking team body language right now.

Next time down, Pope buries the three with 0 hesitation.

Then Pope clears lane for Kaluma to follow and hit reverse layup.  Then turnover, transition 3 missed, shedrick offensive rebounds, kick out for a 3.  Texas up 5.

13-2 run

Forced shot clock violation.

And suddenly back to no one moving on offense

Ziegler has no chance to defend Tre.

Ziegler on the floor after getting crunched between Mark and Johnson on a rebound.

Kent's ability to finish in the lane is questionable.

Down 2 at the half in  game the opponents hit 6/11 3s to our 4/13.

Our hot stretch was fueled primarily by turnovers and transition offense.

 

Barnes with short fuse early.  Pulled guy after one possession for a dumb pass.