Thoughts on the big UCLA win

UCLA’s strength is not long range shooting so that might be why our zone was more effective last night. But we also played the zone much better, which comes with the entire team being one year more experienced. I was really impressed with how Wangmene and Chapman looked last night banging with one of the best frontcourts in the country. The moment was not too big for either of them. I can’t wait to see Gary Johnson.

Two things I liked about Barnes and his coaching decisions.

1) Having Atchley take it right to rack against Luv early and often. Nice mismatch of athleticism and foot quickness. Luv is solid construction concrete from the waist down.

2) Knowing when in the 2nd half to use zone and man. UCLA would bring in their slower shooter (Ball I think) and Barnes would go to zone. Shooter goes to the bench and Slick Rick calls for man.

Bill Simmons eat your heart out.

Good take.

Nice to see the off-season noise about Mason’s development had some merit. Now I’m looking forward to watching the kid develop in the program over the next 2+ years.

Amazing to think what this team has done with what was projected to be two of the 7-man rotation (Johnson and Balbay) not available. Barnes just gets it done.

Curious as to what people thought of Love.

Nice to see John Wooden in the stands. Good stuff.

best game I’ve seen a Texas basketball team play in years.

I love you guys.

I was wondering why UCLA never went in to a fc press, but I guess they figured our speed would beat it. I can’t remember the last time we hit as many clutch buckets and it seemed as if Barnes was one step ahead than he usually is. What kind of impact will this have on future recruiting?

Atchley has completely overwhelmed my expectations so far this season. This is what Rick must have seen when Connor was in high school against smaller, slower, weaker opponents. Connor has finally matured to the point that he is more than competent as the starting 5, and he made the shot of the night with the 3-ball to tie it at 61.

Hook ’em!

A little LASER-LOVE! Really? Is that so? Did that guy named “Love” throw a basketball so hard it was like a laser?

“What kind of impact will this have on future recruiting?”
Huge.

Some CA recruits were at the game.
Jordan Hamilton (#8 National Rank) and (#1 National Rank) Renardo Sidney were at the game. Hamilton already puts UT on top of his list. Sidney has us on his radar.

That win had to help with those guys. Toss in Durant’s constant praise of UT & Rick Barnes during a halftime interview and you get the idea that UT basketball has a bright future.

Nice to see a UT coach who can coach and win a big game. Great win for the, Runnin Horns !!

You owe Tom Penders a nickle.

Tom Penders died for your basketball sins.

Thank God we went to a basketball school (#4 with a bullet, baby!). I can only imagine what those poor “football school” fans do when December comes along.

I remember that picture of Tom. It was taken in the bar at Jaime’s after many, many pitchers of Jaimeritas celebrating Cinco de Mayo. TP never could hold his tequila.

Now scotch, that’s another story. The man was born to drink scotch.

Wow. A Texas coach who continues to have gritty teams that win even though they lose not one, not two, but three studs in as many years to the Pros. The team reflects the coach.

Mack Brown note to self: remember to ask Rick Barnes what it takes to not be a pussy.

Excellent take – awesome as always.

If you want to compare the two UT coaches then start with Wright vs Mad Dog.

Nice thoughts everyone.

This team seems to have some chemistry to it and most of it comes from DJ, who happens to be a player of the year candidate early on.

We get more good news with Gary Johnson’s seemingly imminent debut. I’m excited to see what kind of flexibility he’ll add to the team both offensively and defensively. Good time to be us, for sure.

Marques Johnson said 18 times

“Laser LOVE!”

Vomit

In March, orangebloods were crucifying Rick. Now, we him to pull double duty and coach the football team too.

Amazing what a couple of high profile wins before Xmas will do. Believe me, I’m as excited about this team as anybody, but the knee jerking about our coaches is hilarious as always.

Ronald Reagan in his final weeks had a stronger memory than most Longhorn fans.

I don’t know where you are coming from tummer. Rick Barnes has never been accused of being light in the scrotum. He has always made his teams better than the sum of their parts. That’s called “synergy.” Mack Brown has only had one season that his individual players even played up to their potential. That’s called “you suck as a head coach.”

If you’re going to invoke the name of the Gipper, at least get your facts straight.

He was called out A LOT last year very unfairly for his inability to get Durant 75 shots a game.

I called him out several times last year for defensive breakdowns at key moments in a couple games. Looking back, the breakdowns were probably a function of the team’s inexperience and youth, because they’re guarding better than I’ve seen them in a good while. They’ll straight up guard your ass and get in your jock, but I’m not just talking about effort on defense. I’m talking about guarding smarter as in recognizing shooters, when to switch, when to hedge, etc., and that’s just on the perimeter.

Interior players like Atchley and James are playing great position defense making post entry difficult, especially in the UCLA game. They’ll have to continue to play smart and stay in sound position down low because right now we can’t afford those two to get in foul trouble with a couple cheapies. Not until the cavalry arrives in the form of Gary Johnson taking the floor and Chapman/Wangemene getting their sea legs.

You may have called him out last year for a few deficiencies you saw; however, Barnes is not one to be content with the status quo — especially when the status quo is not good enough. There is no comparison between what happens between the baskets and what happens between the hash marks.

Barnes is not satisfied with playing second fiddle to any Big 12 coach. Brown is content with his consecutive 10-win seasons while his “Daddy” north of the boarder consistently spanks his little bottom. Oh, let’s not forget his new “daddies” at Kansas State and A&M.

Barnes’ players reflect his zeal. Brown’s players reflect his lethargy. If you doubt me, just rewind to some of their respective player’s statements after losses. While Barnes’ players are hungry, Brown’s players have it ingrained in their heads that “oh well, it could have been worse.”

Bottom line: Barnes = Alpha Male; Brown = Beta Boy. Nothing’s going to change that.

I may make it a Carnival rule that nobody bags on Mack to build up Rick. It’s tiresome and not fair to either guy.

It would be our first rule, so I will take it to the Nicaean council of Barkers.

You’ve got it backwards Sailor. We don’t need to bag on Mack to build up Rick. Rick is already “built-up” by his own performance. The comparison is the other way. Mack needs to be compared to Rick so that his performance will rise to that of Rick’s. Not the other way around. If the football team outperformed their talent level day-in and day-out and the basketball team was full of goldbricking bluechips we would have to call Rick on the carpet for his lack of coaching and motivation.

Mack needs to learn from someone. I can only assume that it is easier for him to drive across campus to the dome than for him to drive up I35 to Norman for some lessons in coaching. However, Mack will have some time on his hands again this year during the BCS bowls. So, maybe he can take some notes during those games.

It is good, however, to see that someone is making some rules on this site. I grow weary of all of the free expression.

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