A thought on the Texas game

[DenverSooner]

Kentucky beat Texas 63-51 in Lexington. I realize that doesn't mean a whole lot in terms of how OU would fair against Kentucky but it does demonstrate what a whipping that was.

 

[usedtobe1]

I agree. Texas went to Lexington and lost by 12 without their best player, Isaiah Taylor. Last night they lost by 21 in Austin with all hands on deck. They looked awful last night.

OU's starting 5 is pretty good.

 

[AdaSooner]

Here's a thought I had after last night's game. Defending UT's bigs could be the blueprint for the way we'll need to play any opponent with really good post players, and that includes KU.

I realize the outcome may not be the same. But I see no reason for OU to fear any team they'll face with bigger players.

 

[IndySooner]

It was the first game all year where we looked competent against length. That's a GREAT sign.

 

[usedtobe1]

Texas didn't have anyone who could create a shot off the dribble except for Taylor. Our bigs didn't have to help out on defense so they didn't get in foul trouble. Texas has a horrible half court offense.

 

[jaymOU]

Hate to say this, but how good is Texas. I found myself thinking this was Lon's best win - and I believe it is - but how good is Texas really?

They looked pitful on offense last night - worse than some of Kelvin's offensively challenged teams.

I am not sure OU even played "great". Played great "D", but offensively Sooners can be better. OU shot 41% and still won by 20+ on the road versus a Top 15 team. Wow!

 

[NickZepp]

Texas is a really good defensive team. Probably the best we'll play all year. I don't know how good they are offensively and they will probably be better once Taylor gets in the swing of things a little later this year. But that was a legit win against one of the top teams in a loaded conference. Texas, ISU, KU, and OU are pretty much the top tier of the conference. And OU has by far the best win so far of course.

 

[opsooner]

I listened to the Texas radio broadcast for the 4th quarter of the game. They said that the defense we played last night was the best they have seen, including Kentucky.

 

[opsooner]

Here's a thought I had after last night's game. Defending UT's bigs could be the blueprint for the way we'll need to play any opponent with really good post players, and that includes KU.

I realize the outcome may not be the same. But I see no reason for OU to fear any team they'll face with bigger players.

It may be and in the Big 12, especially. Outside of the conference, however, there are some big men with much better offensive skills that Texas has and that still concerns me. We already saw that to some degree against Washington. Nevertheless, I did not expect us to defend the Texas bigs that well so I am anxious to see how we continue.

 

[campbest]

Last night was a perfect storm for OU and the score reflected it. OU really came to play and UT stunk up the joint.

Outside of Taylor, no one can create for UT and he still doesn't look right. Consequently, OU was then able to pressure the other guards for TOs and not allow easy entry passes to the post, which negated much of UT's advantage down low. Once you get UT down, as long as you run Felix/Holmes/whomever off the 3pt line, they don't have much shot at getting back in the game.

OU's half court offense needs to get better though, we are taking too many low % jumpers...some of those went in last night (Cousin's step back iin the first half out of the timeout comes to mind). Really encouraged by what we saw but a let down vs. K-State negates any positives this game provided.

 

[AdaSooner]

It may be and in the Big 12, especially. Outside of the conference, however, there are some big men with much better offensive skills that Texas has and that still concerns me. We already saw that to some degree against Washington. Nevertheless, I did not expect us to defend the Texas bigs that well so I am anxious to see how we continue.

I don't think UW's bigs are as good as UT's post players. OU just didn't play nearly as well.

If we played the Huskies again and defended their bigs with the same intensity and help defense as we saw last night, the Sooners would win by double digits.

 

[NickZepp]

The 2nd half of the Washington game we played much better and defended probably about as good as we did last night. But it was too little too late after falling behind so much.

 

[coolm]

OU is a hard matchup for Texas. We are strong where they have issues.

 

[opsooner]

I don't think UW's bigs are as good as UT's post players. OU just didn't play nearly as well.

If we played the Huskies again and defended their bigs with the same intensity and help defense as we saw last night, the Sooners would win by double digits.

I agree that we should have won that game. I do think Upshaw is better than anyone at texas though. Also, when Washington kicked it out they were hitting the 3s in the first half. If the ball goes in the basket it makes all the difference in the world. :ez-laugh:

 

[DenverSooner]

Hate to say this, but how good is Texas. I found myself thinking this was Lon's best win - and I believe it is - but how good is Texas really?

They looked pitful on offense last night - worse than some of Kelvin's offensively challenged teams.

I am not sure OU even played "great". Played great "D", but offensively Sooners can be better. OU shot 41% and still won by 20+ on the road versus a Top 15 team. Wow!

Kelvin's offensive challenged teams were generally top 36 or better teams. They got 9 seeds or better most of the time.

 

[Hotrod33]

I saw a completely different team last night than we did early in the season. I would compare this game to Creighton. We blew the lead on the road and didn't know how to manage the game in the second half. We almost did the same thing last night by playing a little conservative but snapped out of it and played more aggressively. This team is just improving at a steady rate. I wouldn't be surprised if this team(barring injuries) is really clicking by postseason.