Comments on: Basketball Preview: #5 Texas Longhorns (9-2) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (9-2)

By: Trips Right

Trips Right — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:49:36 +0000

He’s our key, Bob. One worry I have is AJ reverting back to his non-shot selection havin’ self. It’s quite possible he’ll turn back into the gunner after the disappointing loss. A game in which he was very patient.

By: Bob in Houston

Bob in Houston — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:45:31 +0000

Let’s see if Johnson can “back up” the 20-point game, like they expect you to do in drag racing (don’t ask).

If he does, IMO, that’s a really good sign for the next three months.

By: Kafka

Kafka — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:35:16 +0000

Great pre-game analysis, Trips. It gives me an idea of what to look for in the game.

I look forward to this game. The horns are facing another great coach who has learned a bunch from the Mich State game. Have Barnes and the horns also learned a lot from that game? We’ll see.

Wisconsin surely learned the benefits of over playing Abrams to deprive him of shots. Will UT be able to take advantage of the extra attention that Wisconsin gives Abrams? For example, will screeners for Abrams get passes when they dive to the bucket?

Will Mason try to penetrate into the paint to finish or dish tonight?

I agree that the horns should pressure and run relentlessly. If the game is played at a half court tempo, then Wisconsin wins. If the game is harum scarum, then UT wins.

Will Dex be able to score efficiently? If not, he probably does not play much but Gary will play a lot.

By: Bob in Houston

Bob in Houston — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:53:01 +0000

TR, I think you’re on target with the analysis and the likely outcome. Ryan has very little in the way of experience on the bench. Texas has to take advantage of that.

But if they don’t do the things that break down Wisconsin’s D, they just won’t be able to score, and the home court will give the Badgers a boost. I think (expect… welllll, hope) that Texas will come into the game with a different mindset, based on the by-and-large tentative effort against MSU, and having lost.