Texas Basketball NCAA Tournament Preview: Breaking Down Oakland

It will be important for the team, and J’Covan and Hamilton in particular, to understand that OU will get on a few runs where they put several 3’s together, and we don’t have to come down and respond with off-balance 25 footers of our own. If we start trying to shoot 22 three’s, we’ll get run out of the gym. Against OU’s defense, good shots will be plentiful

“If we start trying to shoot 22 three’s, we’ll get run out of the gym.”

Yeah if Doge is taking all of them. If they’re leaving Hamilton and/or Brown open behind the arc I want them shooting.

“Oakland’s defense is built around blocking shots (Benson gets almost 4 a game) and funneling dribblers into his house. They don’t do much else well and they’re not a cohesive team defense. They primarily man and they don’t pressure or trap that effectively.”

I’m lost. Seems like if they wanted to funnel someone inside, they could play zone. My guess is they save their legs for the offensive end and zone except from the guard position would do just that as well as keep guys in position to rebound. Why would they play man if they have difficulty on the defensive side? This should be an interesting game that all eyes will be on.

If we attack the basket like they’ll allow us to, I set the over/under on Benson fouls at 4.5.

If the officials let ‘em play, it’s advantage Texas anyway. This is a bad matchup for Oakland. They needed to draw BYU.

Great post. Spot on.

Looking forward to a fresh-legged Texas team shutting up the critics. How could this team not have a chip on their shoulder? #4 in Kenpom, #11 RPI, #8 AP… 4 seed. Go get some.

Will there be a BC Bracket group this year? I want my tote bag, dammit.

Thanks Scip, your breakdown makes me feel more comfortable about Friday. My concerns don’t exactly have to do with the drill -down look at x’s and o’s of your report.

I have been with enough teams at the NCAA’s to know that I hate the early morning tip-off. My experience points it to being especially difficult for the higher seeded team. Teams like Texas are not used to the early morning wake up calls, the arena will be half empty (say, maybe that will be an advantage for us – it will look just like the Erwin Center), and the lower-seeded team is usually a little more emotionally involved at the begining of the game.

I also believe in conspiracy theories and the NCAA loves to put 4-13, or 5-12 matchups in the early morning slot, because it helps to build the “Cinderella Factor” into the tournament.

The recent past has seen several #13 seeds win over #4 seeds. Last year Murray State took out Vanderbilt 66-65. In 2009 Cleveland State took out Wake Forest 84-69 and back in 2006 Kansas was the victim, losing to Bradley 77-73.

As for Oakland playing good teams, against Texas comparable programs – West Virginia, Purdue, Cincy, Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio St – they went 1-6 with one big win over Tennessee in Knoxville and an average loss margin of 16.3 points.

True, but all were in hostile environments. and Oakland coach Greg Kampe is being smart by selling his team on the idea that wae are built along the lines of Tennesse — the one team Oakland did beat on the road.

He is using another little emotional trick for his team — the disrespect card. Rick Barnes mentioned that he got to know Kampe a few years back when Texas played Michigan up an Auburn Hills. Oakland played Oregon after our game and beat them. Barnes said they have talked on the phone a few times.

Kampe says that last year when Barnes called to talk about how Oakland attacked the 2-3 zone of Michigan he tried to set up a game with Texas.

“The funny thing about it was, after I got off the phone a little bit, I called him about playing,” Kampe said.

 "And he was like, ’We’re never playing you guys.’ It was about two years ago. They saw us beat Oregon. I said, ‘How about coming to play us at the Palace; we’ll do a two-for-one?’ And he was like, ‘Nah, we’re never playing you guys.’ "

I realize all of my concerns are countered by the facts as you stated, still I will worry over this one until tip off.

But then again, it is exactly what makes this week so great.

That kind of thing irritates me that he is trying to play the disrespect card.

Barnes is professing his respect (or at least his belief that Oakland is underrated) by saying he is never going to play them. He (Barnes) knows that they are good, and thinks they have a chance to beat UT, while UT gains nothing from beating them if that’s what it comes down to.

I’m sure there are at least 300 schools in this country that would love to play UT. We have to say no to most of them, as we control about 12 games a year. Barnes was complimenting that dunce.

Yeah Barnes likes to schedule A) Michigan State, UNC, UConn, etc, or 2) Douchebag State. There’s not a lot of in between, which is what Oakland is.

Douchebag State was dangerous a couple years ago. Just sayin.

“Douchebag State was dangerous a couple years ago. Just sayin.”

Must have been before Cade Davis transferred to BlowU….

ransom -
 
I agree. Our players just need to score the easy basket where it’s available.
 
kermit -
 
When you zone, you lose pace. Oakland wants you to shoot early so that they can get the ball back. In a scoring contest, they believe that their offensive skills will win over time.
 
Trips -
 
Now that I have your stamp, I feel better. Granted, it’s a tramp stamp…
 
texasengr -
 
A bracket is a good idea.
 
srr50/ Wulaw -
 
Thanks for the downer. You’re right. An early morning game in front of 3,000 people isn’t exactly an emotional environment that this team can feed off of. I hope Barnes is running our practices in the AM during Spring Break so that our guys can acclimate.
  
Every coach is going to grasp for some slim motivational factor to spur his team on. Ours played out on national television in front of the player’s friends, family, and the rest of the Big 12. If our players aren’t focused like a laser, then this team has some pride and contentment issues.
 
nordberg -
 
Douchebag St is used to playing in hostile environments.

They take it to the hole with authority!

I hope Barnes is running our practices in the AM during Spring Break so that our guys can acclimate.

Practice at 11:00 am every morning since they got back from KC.

Music to my ears.

They have the pressure to clean up around the basket!

Seriously though, perhaps Oakland’s offensive efficiency also relates to off rebounding although they still had 47% shooting on only 6 off boards in their only conference loss (cue Kafka’s rebounding opportunity relationship).

In that loss they also got their bigs in foul trouble, fouling out Benson and Hudson. I’d love to see more Doge and Brown slashing toward the hoop in the half court set. Get them in foul trouble and end the game early to save legs for Zona. Seems someone to break down the defense with the ball is what’s missing from our O, Corey has had it in his hand lately but is not as elite as our PGs on the ball, perhaps they are too focused on passing into the post every time? We need to be able to adjust when teams start doubling TT.

Erik –
 
Yes, Oakland relies heavily on their offensive rebounding for their efficiency. They’re hitting something like 56% of their 2 point fgs as a team, which is a crazy stat. That’s why their PF Will Hudson shoots 64%.
 
Cory is a combo guard who will play his true 2 position next year and it’s hard for Dogus to slash to the basket against a set defense with his defender sagging nine feet off of him. Yet another reason to run the ball.
 
Myck Kabongo will provide the remedy you crave, but he can’t suit up Friday.

I’m not sure how much room there is for two Viking Eric(k)’s on this board.

So the tournament opens on St. Paddy’s Day? This should end well.

Sounds like a game that Doge can be an offensive factor with his full court drives to the bucket. Nothing like having 5 on 5 for a game or 2.

If GJ can relocate his midrange jumper I’ll be a happy guy. I’m really looking forward to this game and tourney. More anticipation for March Madness than I’ve ever had in the past.

This team has, for the most part, been extremely fun to watch, and the members, for the most part, are very likeable guys. They all seem to like and support each other. Tristan may be my favorite player all time.

Thanks for the data Scip, those are amazing stats, can’t wait to bring those numbers down.

As for PG play, it is just frustrating because we’ve seen flashes of greatness. Barnes probably wants the ball in CJ’s hands for TO mitigation but we’re going to hit our ceiling quickly if we don’t let Brown run loose somewhat and let Dogus (nailed the sp this time!) do the dirty work off the ball as those more keenly aware than me on this site have suggested. This is the game where you want to build confidence in some of those areas you aren’t consistent in. Or do you just play it safe and play to your strengths and out talent the weaker opponent?

Although I’d be content if the Sweet 16 is as far as we get, I don’t want to settle for it.

magnus,

As long as the other one doesn’t kill all my slaves, we’ll be fine. I’m going to go sulk in my unoriginality now…

This tourney has an excitement about it, and I’m thinking good things. Win or lose, our guys get to return to Austin when it is over, and they are the only team that can call Austin home. Lucky guys.

java,

Hard for me to agree with that statement when our contributors are pretty much 1/2 & dones and home for this team is Canada, the Trill Coast, Compton, and some Middle Eastern country.

I bet Andy Dick is from Austin though!

Nope.

If that bear had horns, it would look like Bevo donkey-punching the ou logo.