Basketball: Kansas Jayhawks @ Texas Longhorns Preview

There is no tomorrow for Texas Longhorns Basketball.

Win tonight and we can more than likely get back in the hunt for a protected 2 seed that goes through Houston. Lose, and you’re probably going to end up a 5 seed, and if the wheels really come off against Nebraska, you’re staring the NIT right in the face. If the NIT is Darrin Hancock and you’re trying to take a charge on the break, then you’re staring the NIT right in the nuts. Been there done that.

Not fun.

On a macro level, we’ve talked about the Horn’s problems for the better part of two months, so we’ll try to keep focus on the Jayhawks in this preview, and how I’d try to attack them in a monumental effort to save the season.

The Personnel…

The Backcourt

If you’ve had nightmares about Tommie Mason-Griffin and his T-Rex arms I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t get any easier with Sherron Collins. He’s got every bit the game TMG does only he takes better shots, has a better supporting cast to deliver the ball to, and he’s a much more experienced player. His arms are remarkably normal, and uncarny-like so we’ve got that going for us.

Even better news is that Collins is a much better matchup for Balbay than TMG was, because Sherron is not quite as quick and tries to body defenders that can stay with him.

Also, Collins is different than TMG because he loves ballscreens so our bigs better be prepared to do a lot of hedge and recover. I’ll talk more about this in the keys section.

But straight up, you cannot let Collins into the lane because he finishes well for guard with his tremendous upper body strength. If you over help he loves to dime to Aldrich or Morris for dunks. You have to make him try to beat you shooting over the top.

Morningstar and Reed are basically the same player in that they are less dribble drive oriented and more catch and shoot guys. Simply put, you cannot leave them and help away from them or they will kill you from behind the arc. It’s another reason keeping Collins out of the lane is so important. When these two do catch it, chasing them off their jumpers should be the focus. You must make Morningstar and Reed make plays in the midrange and dribble game.

The fourth guard is Tyshawn Taylor and he’s a kid that you hope doesn’t come out with his head in the game because he can flat kill teams with what he does. He’s so quick that when he’s on the floor with Collins I shudder to think what he can do to our help and recover defense when their penetration gets us in proverbial cement mixer. I make Taylor make a couple 3′s before I really get into his jersey defensively and stop penetration at all costs. He’s that good on the bounce. If he’s hitting form deep, we’re porked anyway.

The Frontcourt

It all starts with bellcow back to the basket guy Cole Aldrich. On defense he’s a one man wrecking crew patrolling the lane as a shot blocking eraser, while his dominance on the defensive glass allows the other four Jayhawks to leak out early and get into transition before you can get back. Texas has to put pressure on the KU rebounders by attacking the glass in an effort to keep them honest. I’m mainly talking about Pittman making Aldrich work because James will battle. Shot selection will play a part in our ability to rebound but I’ll talk about that later.

On offense, Aldrich has elite touch around the basket and a variety of post moves. More importantly, the KU supporting cast understands ball movement and entry pass angles so our post defenders must play fundamental post position defense or they’ll be pinned by a combination of Aldrich and superb ball reversal. Scared yet?

On the weakside glass, the Morris twins thrive on creating position and cleaning up the garbage for easy putbacks. Marcus Morris is the better offensive player of the two, so Damion James can’t sleep on him. One interesting battle will be our third guard or small forward depending on personnel vs. either Morris on the weakside glass. There will be a dozen or so plays where James is forced to help penetration or help to Aldrich so it’s important our third guard or forward slide down and really put a body on Morris so he doesn’t get anything cheap.

Xavier Henry is the last player I’ll cover and he may be the key to the Longhorn’s chances of winning this game. Right now Xavier is in a J’Covan Brown like funk, so he may be source of help if he struggles early on tonight. He’s a terrific athlete and a solid shooter, but in games played in 2010 he’s been a woeful 30 for 92 from the field. If Texas can force Henry to play a big role in the offense, they have a great chance for the upset.

The Keys to the Game

1) Shot selection. Texas must take shots going to the rim and attacking the paint. I can’t emphasis this enough. Not only are these better shots intuitively, but they allow you better opportunities to rebound offensively which helps mitigate the KU break. They also force Aldrich to play defense, increasing his chances of getting in foul trouble. If we make it easy on KU with step back 3′s from Hamilton or fadeaway midrange shots from James, we’ll lose. Who knows, maybe we’re due for some home cooking with the officiating.

2) Playing the ball screen. We’ll see a lot of it, especially when Pittman’s in the game because KU wants to pull him away from the bucket. If I’m Texas, I’m trapping all ballscreens involving Collins and forcing someone else to make plays. We may end up with James on Aldrich in some cases, but I’ll take my chances if Xavier Henry or Brady Morningstar is the one creating. If Taylor is getting the screen, I hedge it and have my guard go under the screener, enticing Tyshawn to shoot. I know Taylor can shoot it, but we have to pick our poison and manufacture misses because our off the ball defense is horrible.

3) Play Fast and Loose. Physically and mentally. We’ll have a raucous crowd and we really don’t play well on either end in the halfcourt so let’s press and run and let it all hang out. I get that playing loose can be detrimental to shot selection, so if I’m Barnes I tell the kids that anything coming off of penetration is a good shot. Whether that’s a floater, an entry pass, or a kickout for 3 take it. No one’s shooting unless we’re doing it as a result of attacking the rim.

Prediction. I couldn’t begin to tell you. We could get beat by 20 or we could win going away. It depends on the mindset of the kids and the coaching staff. What I do know is that this is the season boys. Our hope springs eternal offseason has come down to one game.

There is no tomorrow.

For some thoughts on Kansas basketball check at our friends at Oread Boom Kings.

Article Tags:

Bill Self, Cole Aldrich, College Basketball, Kansas Jayhawks, Sherron Collins, Texas Longhorn Basketball, Texas Longhorns, Xavier Henry

42 Responses

nordberg said:

February 8th, 2010 at 10:20 am

If we win, will you post a clip of Rocky and Apollo hugging on the beach?
ballrific said:

February 8th, 2010 at 10:28 am

“Texas must take shots going to the rim and attacking the paint.”

normally I’d agree with that but this presents one tiny little problem. It might put on the line alot, where we’re basically fucked then.
ballrific said:

February 8th, 2010 at 10:29 am

put us on the line…sorry, not enough coffee yet and my stomach is full of king cake and jalapeno poppers. ugh…
Ecurbmanchild said:

February 8th, 2010 at 10:31 am

It is the “NIT” shit that tends to make me read your “blog” with disdain. NIT aint going to happen and you know it. (By the way, Trips. If you were just being sarcastic, forget all the drivel I just shoveled out).
nordberg said:

February 8th, 2010 at 10:36 am

If we lost to KU and Nebraska, we’d be sitting at 19-6 and 5-5 in conference. The NIT would be doable at that point.
ballrific said:

February 8th, 2010 at 10:55 am

I can totally see us getting a win tonight, it’ll get the attention off Barnes, the blue hairs will think all is fine and dandy and then we’ll see the same ol’ shit next week or even in the next game. Not sure what the hell crawled up Barnes ass this year but the whispers of “great recruiter, avg coach” over the years are looking fairly obvious now, especially when they can’t be masked by an all world playmaker like TJ or DJ.

Hell, I get an ulcer watching Barnes try to draw up inbounds plays….there’s been a few this year where after a time out we can’t even get the damn ball in…
kevwun said:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:08 am

I remember when I looked forward to this game. It seems like a long time ago.
huge said:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:11 am

I expect us to win tonight, masking some things and it will make the tourney flameout all that more painful.
Magnificent Bastard said:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:30 am

We’ll have a raucous crowd

Have we bussed in paid soccer hooligans to generate this raucousness?
milksteak said:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:53 am

Earlier this season I was actually worried about being the first team ever (based on no research) to lose the national championship in every major sport in one year. I feel so ridiculous now.
n-ea said:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:53 am

I hate to say it, but I’ve completely given up on Barnes as a coach.
Bob in Houston said:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:06 pm

I still think it will be a good game. I’m gonna be there, so I need to say that. (But I still believe it.)
Vasherized said:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:09 pm

I’m on the same ledge but not quite willing to jump until I see how we come out for this game and wrap up conference play heading into March — a month in which Barnes’ teams have always played very well.

Remember what this team looked like in December and hold out some slim hope that we can regain that form either by frontal lobotomy, exorcism, or sheer fucking luck.
Leonidas said:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:13 pm

Do we want to re-evaluate whether Barnes gets more effort from his players than Self? As a KU alumnus, I will not be surprised if Texas wins tonight. Texas always gets extra-juiced for this game (especially in Austin) and I’m not sure KU matches Texas’ excitement.
Magnificent Bastard said:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:14 pm

frontal lobotomy

What slim hope remains will be encouraged by the bottle in front of me.
Leonidas said:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:15 pm

In the event of a Texas win, though, it will be interesting to see how many of you feel the problems with Texas’ team are fixed.
free throws are for p*ssies... said:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:38 pm

just sayin…
Eskimohorn said:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:54 pm

If Texas could hit 10 more free throws this year, what would our record be? We’re not that far off, but we’re spiraling downward.
ransomstoddard said:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:58 pm

PLaying us apparently drives opposing players to commit crimes. http://www.newsok.com
TShakCFP said:

February 8th, 2010 at 1:13 pm

I will always be grateful to Barnes for what he has done with the Texas basketball program, especially for recruiting players like Durant, TJ, and DJ. Those three players alone (especially Kevin) have made college basketball and now the NBA much more fun to follow.

However, I’m really beginning to wonder if Barnes is the answer to take this program to the next level. Hope I’m wrong..
Nickel Rover said:

February 8th, 2010 at 1:18 pm

I’m hoping we draw them into an up and down shootout. Good way for Texas to take on the top foes and it’s more entertaining and less grueling than a half-court showdown.
Ag_in_TX said:

February 8th, 2010 at 1:22 pm

As an outside observer, I have a great deal of interest in this game. We find out what kind of heart the Orangebloods have tonight. Y’all do not have to win this game, but it needs to be close. Y’all need to play hard.

If this turns into a KU rout, well…. badness.
Blake Borron said:

February 8th, 2010 at 1:30 pm

“In the event of a Texas win, though, it will be interesting to see how many of you feel the problems with Texas’ team are fixed.”

We could win by 30 and I’m still not buying that there is some magical panacea that Barnes discovered over the end of the weekend. I am tired of getting burned by all these tempting performances by players, only to see them disappear next game (football and basketball, FWIW).
Pederast Hanrahan said:

February 8th, 2010 at 1:30 pm

I hope I’m wrong, but I’m closing in fast on officially saying “We’re done.” Maybe I’ll change my mind tonight, tomorrow or next week. But right now it feels like we’re done.

This team (and coach) have drained all the optimism out of me. Oklahoma is a decent basketball team…that’s it. Decent. As it Aggy. Baylor is better than decent, but nothing special. K-State and UConn are good teams that could go to the SS or better. We’re average, at best, with sick talent. By the way, the big win over a now 10 loss UNC team who may miss the dance doesn’t look that impressive. The win against MSU was the lone exception. It was masterfully coached and impressively executed game against a stout team.

Barnes seems to have caught from Mack Brown (who is all well now, btw) a case of “recruiting genius who manages to turn “A” players into “B” and “C” players”-itis. One or two years under Barnes and then get out while you still have a chance to play in the NBA, or at least in Europe. If you’re a junior or senior and you still call RB “Coach”, just make sure you get your diploma — you’ll need it.

Maybe because it’s Monday or cold and raining…again, but I’m fully expecting KU to beat us like a rented mule tonight. As I said, I hope I’m wrong…
n-ea said:

February 8th, 2010 at 1:36 pm

Leonidas,

For the most part, I think Barnes gets maximum effort from his players, especially on defense. My issue with him is our undisciplined/street ball offense which he obviously allows. There’s never any ball rotation or a commitment to play an inside-out game. The latter for me is especially madening for me when play opponents with inferior interior players.

As for tonights game, I think you guys will win this game by at least 20. I have a good feeling Aldrich has double digit blocks in this one and completely embarrases Hamilton a couple times.
Scooby Sanchez Jr. said:

February 8th, 2010 at 1:40 pm

I expect a UT win tonight. KU has played with dead legs the last two games.
Ike Turner said:

February 8th, 2010 at 1:44 pm

Look, I know what it means to slap some ho’s and ya’ll is gonna get bitch slapped tonight.
Leonidas said:

February 8th, 2010 at 1:59 pm

I will absolutely be surprised if KU wins by 20 or more tonight. If that happens, you truly will have to slap the EPIC FAIL tag on your coach(es). Texas has just as much talent as KU and is every bit as deep. There is no reason this shouldn’t be a close game. And Scooby is right: KU has played with dead legs the last two games. They look uninspired to me as well.
Oread Boom Kings — Blog — Looking at Texas said:

February 8th, 2010 at 2:02 pm

[...] sure to also check out BC for the thoughts of Trips Right and his vast readership council. Trips sees this one with a +/- 20 point range from the axis, and [...]
Fundamentals said:

February 8th, 2010 at 2:09 pm

so i wonder if i will show up tonight….for the home team that is…
travis said:

February 8th, 2010 at 2:26 pm

So what more would a team need to be inspired than to play a top 15 team on the road, on national tv ?

I think anybody saying that KU won’t be ready, or will be taking us lightly, or be tired for this game is not understanding what we are up against tonight.

I see us coming out on fire, playing inspired and loose and taking a lead late into the 2nd half, but our trouble at the line will keep us from closing the door, and KU will make us pay in the end. I think it will be the outside shooting of morningstar and reed that kill us down the stretch
milksteak said:

February 8th, 2010 at 2:29 pm

travis, that sounded like something straight off of texags. I think KU sees us a bit like we see A&M.
Leonidas said:

February 8th, 2010 at 2:34 pm

Travis, what you say makes total sense and it should be plenty enough. But, this KU team just seems ho-hum about things since the Temple game. I hope like hell they get excited and focused like they did for Temple and not in some odd funk like against Tennessee. But, those are two examples of the extremes of this team.
Blake Borron said:

February 8th, 2010 at 2:57 pm

Well now that Xavier Henry is having JCB syndrome and Tyshawn Taylor decided to take the year off instead of becoming the next KU star guard like he played like last year, the Jayhawks only have one consistent player on the perimeter. Reed and Morningstar are a joke and shouldn’t need to play at a place as prestigious as KU and WTF happened with Elijah Johnson?

Marcus Morris is an absolute monster inside and has been KU’s most consistent player this year. I expect him to be Damion James in the following two seasons.

Leonidas–Are you worried about the state of your team after this season?

Imagine this scenario: Sherron Collins is obviously gone. He’s the most dangerous player in the country IMO. Aldrich leaves as a lottery pick and so does Xavier Henry due to his pristine high school reputation (though he may be a lower first rounder if he keeps up his current rate of play). Tyshawn Taylor isn’t the player people thought he was going to be (hypothetical still). The Morris twins are the two best players, but they don’t offer the team that diverse of star power. Elijah Johnson can’t even get in the game over Reed and Morningstar, so…yeah. Your only recruit is moderately-ranked Royce Woolridge, who probably won’t contribute much. Are you completely relying on getting Brandon Knight?

Look, believe me man, I’m DEFINITELY not trying to rag on your program. You guys are the most consistent team year in and year out and Bill Self in the premier coach in the country in every facet of the game. It just seems like Kansas always has guys in the wings or at least in the next recruiting class, but that doesn’t look like the case this year. What’s up?
Hiphopopotamus said:

February 8th, 2010 at 3:01 pm

Travis, milksteak (great name), Leonidas – KU will be fired up tonight and I disagree that we look at Texas like you look at A&M. While still unable to take our throne, you’ve been the only consistent threat and I’d bet our players get as ‘up’ for Texas as anyone on our schedule. I know our NC team did. If we see tired legs, then we’ve actually got very tired legs…it’s not that we’re disinterested. I don’t know how we’ll play or if we’ll win, but I have little doubt this is the game they’ve been thinking about since the final horn in Manhattan.
Hiphopopotamus said:

February 8th, 2010 at 3:10 pm

Blake – Will we see a dropoff? Sure. But I thik you’re exaggerating it greatly.

I share in your concerns with Taylor.

Elijah Johnson has looked a lot like Chalmers did in the early going. The difference, Mario got/had to learn on the job. Elijah hasn’t had that burden/luxury with guys in front of him playing the part well
enough. CJ Henry is a real nice option off the bench as wel and I think you’re underrating the value of Morningstar and Reed in their roles.

Inside, both Morrises should continue to improve and both Withey and Robinson have star potential. They may not be Aldrich, but we’ll be just fine down low with those four.

We’re also redshirting Travis Releford and Mario Little, both of whom could help us in a big way on the wing replacing Xavier Henry.

As for recruits, don’t just rely on the rankings for Woolridge. He’s legit and underrated because of the Phoenix competition. There’s a reason an elite recruited like Self offered him early in his sophomore year. And re: Knight…we may get him and we may not, but we’re also considered the favorite for Josh Selby and remain a finalist for Doron Lamb. I’m not surewho we get, but I’d bet we get one of the three.

we wont have the experience of Collins and Aldrich, but we won’t be short on talent.
Hiphopopotamus said:

February 8th, 2010 at 3:11 pm

Apologies for my poor typing and for three straight posts.
n-ea said:

February 8th, 2010 at 3:40 pm

Leonidas,

I really don’t follow college basketball outside of the Longhorns very well, much less KU, but I’ll take your word for it that we’re equally talented as thats pretty much what the talking heads said about our teams to begin the season. It’s also precisely why I believe this game will be lopsided. As alluded to earlier, our offense is only slightly more sophisticated and disciplined than what you’ll see in a pick up game at the Y. We rely on out “athleting” our opponents and that’s not going to happen tonight.

To top it off, Aldrich is a beast defensively. We already have a tough time getting off good/high percentage shots and it’s not going to get any easier tonight. I know Aldrich can board and I assume with a team as talented as KU is, we will not be able to own the boards and get a bunch of easy put backs and 2nd chances. Likewise, I assume your talent won’t allow us to get a bunch of cheap points in transition either.

I just don’t see how we score enough to keep this one close short of someone catching fire NBA Jams style. I hope I’m dead wrong about my assement of this team and our coaching, but for now I’m just calling it how I see it. Good luck to you guys tonight, but I really don’t think you’ll need it.
Scooby Sanchez Jr. said:

February 8th, 2010 at 3:47 pm

KU will be fine next year. Probably not top 5 fine, but at least top 25 fine.

For crying out loud, KU RED SHIRTED the national JUCO player of the year and #49 RSCI rated guy who dominated Late Night. Elijah Johnson is the best athlete Bill Self has ever recruited and he has not disappointed in the very limited minutes he has played. Self, unlike Barnes, just made the cold hard decision to NOT make his rotation a mockery and decided to play experience over potential as he is playing for all the marbles this year. Self has said that EJ could end up a better player than Sherron Collins.

Not going to win a national championship, but not someone any team is going to enjoy playing either.
RRR said:

February 8th, 2010 at 3:51 pm

Great stuff, Trips. Can’t wait for the open thread and the post-game articles from both you and hiphop. Y’all are money.
Monday Ba$ketball Pick$ said:

February 8th, 2010 at 4:33 pm

[...] Orange Nation naturally also give their two cents in advance of tonight’s showdown. There is no tomorrow for Texas, according Trips Right at the Barking [...]
Barking Carnival — Blog — With Balbay Gone: 3 Ways to Easy Offense said:

February 23rd, 2010 at 1:11 pm

[...] the season ending injury to the only real point guard on the roster I feel the need to go back to citing Rocky analogies. Again. Certainly coming to a an Austin Sports Talk radio show in the next two days no [...]

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42 Responses

nordberg said:

ballrific said:

ballrific said:

Ecurbmanchild said:

nordberg said:

ballrific said:

kevwun said:

huge said:

Magnificent Bastard said:

milksteak said:

n-ea said:

Bob in Houston said:

Vasherized said:

Leonidas said:

Magnificent Bastard said:

Leonidas said:

free throws are for p*ssies... said:

Eskimohorn said:

ransomstoddard said:

TShakCFP said:

Nickel Rover said:

Ag_in_TX said:

Blake Borron said:

Pederast Hanrahan said:

n-ea said:

Scooby Sanchez Jr. said:

Ike Turner said:

Leonidas said:

Oread Boom Kings — Blog — Looking at Texas said:

Fundamentals said:

travis said:

milksteak said:

Leonidas said:

Blake Borron said:

Hiphopopotamus said:

Hiphopopotamus said:

Hiphopopotamus said:

n-ea said:

Scooby Sanchez Jr. said:

RRR said:

Monday Ba$ketball Pick$ said:

Barking Carnival — Blog — With Balbay Gone: 3 Ways to Easy Offense said:

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