Basketball Articles
Halftime Oklahoma Thoughts
Posted by Trips Right on January 12th, 2009 under Basketball
We’re competing. It’s not pretty but we’re competing.
You can tell Barnes asked his kids to play faster. There were a few uncharacteristic turnovers because we’re playing faster, but the uptempo, lots of bodies strategy should bear fruit in the second half as ou gets winded. I predict some tired jumpshots if we can keep this going. It’ll be net positive if we can take care of the ball better.
Homecooking going on. Y’all know I don’t get on the officials in these things, but the officiating has been shit. We’re going to the hole and crashing the boards with the same frequency as the sooners. Our athletes are similar. Call it both ways. OU gets to the double bonus with two minutes to play. We get into the bonus with 30 seconds left. That’s not whining, that’s bullshit.
Balbay and Mason can penetrate against this defense. It’s not one of ou’s better defensive teams. Connor really opens the floor.
Kudos to Harrison Smith and Dogus Balbay showing up to play. Damion James? Quit being a pussy.
If we take care of the basketball and get a call or two, we’ll stay in this thing. OU’s getting tired.
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Activity
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post The week in news- Pariahs, Malcontents and Power Hour 1 hour, 16 minutes ago
Outstanding “around the horn” type article. Can’t believe it’s almost 6 months until college football. The “U” from ESPN, while fun was nothing more than a 90 minute commercial for the greatness of Miami football. It would have been better if someone, other than a fan, took a critical look at that
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Black Scholes commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Hearing nothing that leads me to believe Cory Joseph is on his way to save Barnes’ ‘offense’. Hope this staff is making some contingency plans.
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 1 hour, 24 minutes ago
Nickel,
Yea, I think AB may move if he can get assurances he won’t slide past the teens. Going 25 or so is a much different story. I think he should probably come back if he’s in the mid-20’s but not having a clear vision of what the rookie salary scale might look like
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GoHornsGo90 commented on the blog post Bradley or Hamilton? 1 hour, 32 minutes ago
The great thing about Joseph is he is a hard worker and great defender, just like Avery. This means he won’t be in the dog house like JH and JBC were all season fro their terrible defense and effort. He is also a perfect pick and roll/pick and pop PG who is smart and always
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GoHornsGo90 commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 1 hour, 37 minutes ago
Don’t see Bradley as a kind of guy that goes through that kind of disappointment, sees how unprepared for the NBA he is, and goes to “get his” in the draft. Maybe Hamilton, but not AB.
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dick commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 2 hours, 11 minutes ago
we will be better than an 8 seed if all 3 of those come back. i’ll be adjusting my expectations accordingly which will make season much better
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Nickel Rover commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 2 hours, 25 minutes ago
Hmm, great article, more or less of the same subject I wrote on for today.
I think we are in exact agreement that Bradley should probably go if his draft grade holds steady in the 15-25 range because he’ll probably not get a better contract if he waits but simply demonstrate his ceiling as a player. -
uthookem commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 2 hours, 51 minutes ago
…but by conference play, we will HAVE to start Thompson if we want to optimize our potential.
Ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha!
Pains me to hear that, as we all pined for Hamilton to start all season long (except ipowers, that is). What makes you think it will be different with a
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Nickel Rover wrote a new blog post: Bradley or Hamilton? 2 hours, 52 minutes ago
Basketball:
Bradley or Hamilton? In an ideal world they are both back next season. Withought knowing how well they are responding to Barnes’ style or what kind of draft grade they are looking for it’s hard to project what they will do.
Bradley has been listed as a mid-first round guy but I have trouble seeing it.
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Trips Right commented on the blog post Second Round Bets 3 hours, 31 minutes ago
What a horseshit bank, but Mary’s the right side
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Hiphopopotamus commented on the blog post Big Dance: Day Two 3 hours, 47 minutes ago
Was pretty disappointed with OSU’s shitburger last night though. I’ve never seen Anderson so bad…almost looked hurt. 5-2 first round isn’t bad though.
We really ought to get 4 team into the Sweet 16 though, with only Missouri having much of an excuse to not advance.
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Hiphopopotamus wrote a new blog post: Bid Dance: Day Three 3 hours, 50 minutes ago
A little late getting this up today, as our first game is already in the second stanza, but we’ve got plenty more to keep us all fat and giggly.
Lunch
2) Villanova v. 10) St. Mary’s – I like this to be a highly entertaining, competitive game from beginning to end. St Mary’s will likely jump out
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NorthDallasSooner commented on the blog post Rumor Alert–TMG 3 hours, 56 minutes ago
Cameron Clark, #5 3-position player in country (Scout) from Sherman, Committed. T.J Taylor, 3 star two guard from Denison, committed. We seem to have Texoma bottled up. Lots of others “interested.”
This is a rumor at this point and not confirmed, so we’ll see.
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 4 hours, 10 minutes ago
Texoz,
As much as we need to find an identity on offense, we also need to address our defensive schemes. If JCB and JH are two big contributors and we play a 6′6″ guy at 4 and a foul prone freshman in the middle then we need to re-examine our principles on defense. We
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dick commented on the blog post Second Round Bets 4 hours, 25 minutes ago
I ended up going the other way and taking St Mary’s. Unfortunately, we’ve all become experts at basketball team collapses this year and Villanova’s collapse looks too familiar.
I really like Washington today for the reasons you mentioned. I have them in my Calcutta too so I have a lot riding on them.
I am
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Recapping the West 4 hours, 27 minutes ago
Yea, Mack was very good. He got really hot in the right game. Aubrey Coleman was pretty good too. And your definitely right Jordan Crawford. He’s fun to watch….
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Jorgrama commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 4 hours, 48 minutes ago
Barnes has lost two longtime assistants and gained Paulino and Ogden–two guys who really only know what he’s taught them. Seems like he should look to the outside for some methodology.
Two, got to recruit fewer projects. Fewer spindly white guys that need to gain 30 pounds of muscle. Fewer all-purpose guards who you
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post Recapping the West 4 hours, 49 minutes ago
Thanks Patrick. UTEP played dumb and Butler was en fuego. Be nice to have a Shelvyn Mack on this Texas team, huh?
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Kevin Berger wrote a new blog post: Recapping the Midwest 4 hours, 51 minutes ago
There were lots of fireworks and exciting games in this region. Let’s start at the top.
Kansas vs. Lehigh
Lehigh never had a realistic shot, but I’m sure they gained Kansas’ respect as a sixteen seed. They’re pretty athletic, especially inside. Again, I ask the tournament selection committee; this was the worst team in
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Recapping the West 5 hours, 12 minutes ago
Great recaps, Trips, er Kev. Keep pumping out the great content. Sorry about UTEP…..
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Rumor Alert–TMG 5 hours, 17 minutes ago
NDS,
What will your team look like w/o those two guys? Who do you have coming in???
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Nike U in Turmoil 5 hours, 28 minutes ago
Getting off a sinking ship. Bellotti is supposedly very much like Mack in his affinity for the media. I’ve always wondered about the assumption that Mack would be happy as the Texas AD when he could just go get a cushy analyst job. Mack clapping in studio would be great TV, no??
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Kevin Berger wrote a new blog post: Recapping the West 5 hours, 30 minutes ago
The Wild West was anything but considering all games played according to seed except for Vanderbilt and Murray State. Let’s start with the big dog.
Syracuse vs. Vermont
The Orange took an early first half lead and never looked back. Using five players with double figure scoring, and a new-look zone missing interior presence Arinze
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 5 hours, 30 minutes ago
AAS wrote a dumbed down version of this subject today. Barnes says he’s bringing in another guard. Good, because I feel very confident in our depth in the front court. Alexei, white stiff #1, and white stiff #2 make me ooze with confidence especially behind a true freshman and undersized 4…….
Barnes, asked
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Farmer Ted wrote a new blog post: Suh Meets with Lions 5 hours, 50 minutes ago
Not too long ago we laughed at the idea that a team would consider taking anyone ahead of Ndamukong Suh in the NFL draft. Now it appears very possible — even likely — that the Rams will take QB Sam Bradford with the #1 pick, which would give the Lions the next shot at Suh
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
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Black Scholes commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 5 hours, 53 minutes ago
Hamilton needs 1-2 years to seriously work on the deficiencies in his game. He goes now, and in a couple of years he’s “whatever happened to …?”. The risk is while he might get drafted now on potential, if he can’t/won’t develop as a player he won’t even have that to offer in
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NorthDallasSooner commented on the blog post The week in news- Pariahs, Malcontents and Power Hour 6 hours, 19 minutes ago
“Coincidentally I maintain a subscription to Texas Monthly magazine in an effort to keep up with my roots in some way, shape or form. The April issue showed up at my house this afternoon and features a fairly in depth article about the ongoing drama between Texas Tech and the Dread Pirate Leach. The more
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Kevin Berger wrote a new blog post: Recapping the East 6 hours, 22 minutes ago
Again, no news is good news when you’re one of the top seeds in the region. That motto holds true in the East as the top four seeds advanced.
Kentucky vs. East Tennessee State
This was a blood bath from the tip. Anyone that thinks this young Wildcat club may have one eye on the
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
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NorthDallasSooner wrote a new blog post: Rumor Alert–TMG 6 hours, 31 minutes ago
It’s certainly unconfirmed, but I got this email this morning from a friend who follows the hoops program very closely. Stay tuned……
“A very reliable source close to the OU BB program told me yesterday TMG is gone. He packed his bags and unless Capel can talk him out of it our PG for the future has left
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Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post The week in news- Pariahs, Malcontents and Power Hour 6 hours, 49 minutes ago
Great survey, whiskey. I miss football a lot.
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Work said:
January 12th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
At least were getting our “early conference road blowout” done with, well, early.
ponderos said:
January 12th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Barnes looked pissed.
RansomStoddard said:
January 12th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Some people think James is an NBA prospect. Based on what? What skill level does he possess that the NBA is crying for? Good grief. He MIGHT be a European league player in a year but he has no handle, can’t shoot particularly well, has no toughness and is not a leader. Other than that, he’s a nice, gentle kid.
Work said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Damion is freakishly athletic with a decent, quick release jumper…and we all know he has (unrealized) potential. Scouts love that shit. See Tyrus Thomas.
Bob in Houston said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
“Barnes looked pissed.”
Wouldn’t you be?
RS: You ever seen a Longhorn this side of VY that you liked?
ponderos said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
In case it gets out of hand, they’re replaying the Texas-Ohio State Fiesta Bowl on Fox SW.
RansomStoddard said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Well, I’m a huge Colt McCoy fan but he didn’t suit up tonight.
Trips Right said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Ponderos,
What bowl game do you watch to feel better about your basketball team?
ponderos said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Don’t need one tonight. I’ll just watch the basketball game. Thanks.
mysterious package said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Good play by the Griffin brothers.are they white or black?
ponderos said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
dad is African-American, mom is lily white.
Trips Right said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Maybe you should post your own halftime thoughts. Or stab yourself in the carotid artery. It makes no difference to me.
DBH said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Colt could probably teach them a little something about heart.
Crown & Coke said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
As always, Trips’ pre-game breakdown was spot on.
The only thing I can’t account for is why Connor’s game has completely vanished. Dude is barely a shadow of what he was against KU at the FEC last season.
Also, anyone who would assert that Damion James doesn’t possess any NBA-caliber skillset should be permanently relegated to middle school-themed AOL chatrooms.
Bobby Jack Akina said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Barnes didn’t just look pissed, he sounded it, too. “If they don’t want to do what we ask them, they can sit on the bench with me.” Or something like that.
Bobby Jack Akina said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Barnes didn’t just look pissed, he sounded it, too. “If they don’t want to do what we ask them, they can sit on the bench with me.” Or something like that.
Work said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Not only did coach look upset at halftime, you could hear it in his voice.
Trips Right said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Barnes was pissed and it’s seemed to light a fire under DJ. Pittman is having a huge impact this game. He’s making Griffin work on both ends of the floor and really opening up offensive glass for an athlete like James.
Trips Right said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Griffin is a weird cat.
DBH said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
And now Pittman goes out with four fouls.
Work said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
B Griff is tired. Real tired. SOmeone in the OU huddle tellin him, “we got 10 minutes man”
Bartoncreek said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
aj gonna shoot us out of it now, but we can’t do much offensively with balbay and mason on the floor at the same time. balbay is a killer in the half court.
Bobby Jack Akina said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Shit. Sorry about that double post. I blame the scotch.
Trips Right said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Barton, yep, and lack of a playmaking lead guard is rearing its ugly head.
Texas really needs to think of pressing right now. Ou is dog tired.
Trips Right said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Dogus with a J. We need that.
Can Atchley to the NBA talk end now?
ponderos said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Blake’s mom was/is a big fan of Charlie’s Angels.
Trips Right said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
We’re pressing. Should have been doing this all game.
Crown & Coke said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Connor appears to have been neutered over the offseason.
What an incredibly disappointing couple of weeks this has been
DBH said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Trips said it all in the first sentence of his preview. “Enigmatic.” This may be a long season.
dick said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Dexy with no rebounds and 6 points on 2 for 7 shooting. Good job on defensive end there for a while. I knew the ticky tack fouls he got called for would bite us.
Bartoncreek said:
January 12th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
3 for last 16. Fitting way to end for one of the worst shooting teams I have ever seen.
exuLt said:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Down the stretch they couldn’t buy a bucket in a hardware store.
Bartoncreek said:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
My 10 year olds are hitting a higher % than these guys. Seriously. They really are. 4 of my 7 players are hitting 50% or better. But we are undefeated and play with a lot higher basketball IQ. Of course we pass, run and fill lanes and I won’t let them shoot from outside of 15 feet. Maybe the Horns should try my method. FRUSTRATION.
RansomStoddard said:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Still looking for those skills of James that have the NBA scouts drooling…
Bartoncreek said:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
He has an NBA body. He has a 38 inch vertical, 3-point range, ability to score off the dribble either on pullup js or finishing at the rack. He is wildly inconsistent and surprisingly poor in the open court. That is why he will go 11-20 instead of top 12.
flamingmonkeyass said:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Don’t forget that he’s usually a fantastic rebounder, unafraid to go up against the bigs, and is an above average defender.
Ransom – you say you like Colt now, but we all know that before this season began you didn’t. You’re not just a glass-half empty guy, you’re the guy walking around screaming “Who drank half my fucking milk?”.
If watching Texas’ sports pains you so, why even bother watch?
Then again ponderos still shows up around here, even after Bob Stoops has once again shat the bed in a big game. Perhaps asking why in regards to human behavior is a futile endeavor.
uthookem said:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Well, we played like shit on offense tonight, but at least we backed it up by playing equally poor on defense.
Hook ‘em!
longhornmatt said:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
James was our best player when he was actually on the floor. Unfortunately, he was the victim of this year’s, “I’m going to fuck with one of my player’s heads and pull him every time he makes any kind of mistake” Rick Barnes special. James played the exact same way he always does when he actually got to stay on the court longer than 90 seconds at a time in the 2nd half.
James only played about 3 minutes in the 1st half, and best I can tell he was pulled for getting caught on a screen and letting Austin Johnson drive by him for a layup. Which by the way, in the 2nd half AJ got caught on a screen, let Austin Johnson drive by for a layup, and then compounded the error by fouling him for a 3 point play. I was shocked, shocked I tell you, that there was no similar punishment for that defensive lapse.
longhornmatt said:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Also, while you can’t put this loss on him, AJ Abrams is just flat out not as good a shooter as he or Barnes thinks he is. He actually got a lot of open looks tonight, and he went 8-27 and 3-15 from deep. He came into the game shooting just under 40% from the field, and that will go down a couple of points lower now.
His first three years he shot 40.1%, 39.7%, and 42.4% from the field, and that was with future lottery picks drawing the defense’s attention and setting him up for open shots.
He is not a guy like JJ Redick or Reggie Miller or Richard Hamilton who is such a good shooter that he deserves to have the offense revolve around getting him open for jumpers. He is not even close to that level, really.
Also, his refusal to ever draw contact and get to the FT line when he drives is fucking ridiculous. FT shooting is the one place where he does shoot an elite percentage, plus he is hopeless when it comes to actually finishing inside or even from midrange. Shooters like Redick made a living on the FT line becomes defenders had to closeout on them so aggressively that they were prone to fouling on any kind of shot fake. AJ, on the other hand, basically never gets to the stripe unless teams are fouling him on purpose late in games.
From now on James, Johnson, and Pittman need to start and we need to pound the ball to them inside. Forget wasting the first 20 seconds of every possession trying to free up AJ. Definitely forget the screen and pop game with Atchley and Mason/Balbay, who are our worst offensive players at this point.
Scipio Tex said:
January 12th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
longhornmatt:
Damion got used defensively multiple times. The Austin Johnson layup was just the eruption point. I counted 21 points scored on him by Johnson/Crocker.
You make a great point about Abrams though. 8 of 27 is a selfish statline that would make Iverson circa ‘02 wince.
Trips Right said:
January 12th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Watching AJ Abrams makes me understand why Bob Knight choked Neil Reed. And reading Tigerbait makes me understand why Knight would throw an LSU fan into a dumpster.