Missouri 67, Texas 66: Good, Bad & Ugly

Eh, it’s too easy to blame this on Barnes. Look, we’ve seen the man for 14 years now. The dude knows how to draw up an end-game play. The problem is execution, and right now he doesn’t have players who are executing it.

I get everyone’s frustration, but this team isn’t falling short because of coaching. We’re falling short because Kabongo isn’t as good as we need him to be.

If having a Torchy’s is weird, then highland Park is MIles Davis.

In real time, I was calling for a time out. But our last shot wasn’t that poor.
 
Getting Torchy’s is the kind of victory you can rely on when the basketball team is suffering.
 
Yes, Musberger thought Julien’s name was Allen. I was also confused when he twice referred to him as Nancy Lieberman-Klein.
 
I’m with PB - until Kabongo can give us better point guard play, we’re going nowhere fast.

The upside of Kabongo’s troubles is that it increases the odds he’s here next year.

Fans focus too heavily on the last play or two. This game was lost on several plays long before the last 27 seconds. 5 assists against 13 turnovers and lousy free throw shooting will lose games.

Kabongo’s double bonehead TO with flagrant foul is a classic example of a player’s lack of fundamental basketball sense, something for which Barnes cannot be blamed. Down by two, with the ball and momentum and at home and Kabongo casually dribbles against a savvy veteran who picks his pocket and Kabongo responds like a 12 year old. That was nearly as bad as Brown’s technical against NCST – both mental breakdowns cost the game.

Anyone who doubts that Barnes called plays for man and zone defense is nuts. Those kids were told exactly what to expect. There was no need to call a TO to tell them, "they’re in a zone and we need to run a different play." They had heard that seconds before.

What about JCB? Are we in danger of losing him?

The whole offensive set on the last possession was poor and I defend Barnes all the time. Brown almost threw the ball away trying to get it to Kabongo cross court. Barnes decided to go for the last shot which is fine if you get off a good shot. That didn’t happen. Personally, down one with that much time, I try to play 2 for1 possessions. If you miss your shot you still have a chance in the game. If you have 27 second to set up a play how do you know get a clean look at th bucket?

We need some frontcourt help bigtime. I believe this is a much differnet team had TT come back.

Kabongo just isn’t getting the job done. Stupid fouls, lazy passing, lazy dribbling, can’t hit free throws, and now he’s lacking confidence… Julien Lewis had 2 fantastic assists in the game. His free throws were beautiful and he drained 2 of them in crunch time. I’d give him some looks at point when Kabongo gets in foul trouble again. He reminds me of Justin Mason (toughness, rebounding, junk buckets) except he’s a better FT shooter.

You can also blame McClellan for the turnover and intentional foul on Kabongo. He should have never even had the ball. McClellan had the ball, a full head of steam and only one man back after the steal by Lewis. Instead of challenging the defender for a layup or foul he passed backwards to Kabongo and drifted to the wing. It was a poor play on several levels.

On the last play I will say JCB made a good pass (it got there) and Kabongo was in a position to score.

Also, for what it’s worth, we should have been shooting two for the win:

This team is cursed. We even get road officiating at home. Fuck me, this is a frustrating season.

Another year wasted with Barnes.

Was anyone else bothered that Brown skipped the all hands in part of the last huddle? Everyone else got together and Brown just walked out on the floor.

It seems apparent that no one wanted to take the last shot except for Brown. Brown had little options and made the crosscourt pass. It was a tough one to handle and it looked like Kabongo panicked after he made a nice snag. Brown rotated to the top of the key yelling for the ball while Lewis remained stationary on the three point line. If Lewis comes in just a little bit once Kabongo shoots, he easily gets the rebound.

Was there last night, and this was probably the most heartbreaking one yet. I really believed we were finally going to get the win. Still disappointed, but these kids are reeling me in as a fan. They fight hard all game, and the management by Rick was good in how he subbed them in and out. It’s a flawed team that can only go so far this year.

I’m really looking forward to watching Bond, Lewis, McClellan and Holmes for the next 2 - 3 years. They won’t lose these next year. It sucks a lot, but so glad that there’s realistically only one kid leaving early of the frosh, and even that’s in doubt. JC, any chance J’Covan heads out after this year? Any murmurs regarding that? I had always assumed there’s no way since 6-1 combo guards aren’t exactly what GMs are looking for, but his scoring touch and passing would be a nice asset coming off the bench in the NBA I think. He’s not a starter, think a rich man’s (though less athletic) Nate Robinson, or poor man’s Ben Gordon.

This team wins these games next year, and I’m saying that without considering next year’s class of bigs to fill up the lane.

jc: I knew Missouri was in a zone when Kabongo was dribbling 35 feet from the basket and Denmon was standing in the key not guarding anybody.

After Brown found Kabongo, the entire defense shifted. Not only was Lewis open, but Kabongo could have passed it back to J’Covan for a wide-open shot.

I know the frustration with the last foul call (non-call). The refs didn’t decide this game on that call. Overall, Texas went to the line 24 times, MU went 11 times and both teams were driving to the basket regularly.

If J’Covan plays the game he played agains Mizzou in this game and this game in that one, Texas goes 1 and 1 rather than 0 and 2. I doubt Mizzou beats Texas a third time if they play again, unless Denmon turns his game around.

I really have no desire to review the final play by rewatching ad infinitum, but even without that benefit, I stand by my original assessment.

Did Kabongo get a look that was good enough? It was a decent look, and for a split second I thought it might go in, but it’s a shot sequence that Kabongo has attempted maybe 5 times this season. If that.

Was Kabongo fouled? The photographic evidence points to yes, but if you’re relying on officials to bail you out, I’ll go ahead and point you to the Scorecasting chapter on omission bias.

The bottom line is Texas had 27 seconds left with a one-point deficit, and managed to get off just one attempt. That’s on the coach as much as the players.

If and more if’s. Will win the games next year! If K would would be TJ like. Players don’t execute. Mental mistakes and13 turnovers and a poor start as usual, 20/30 minutes of bad BB the players are getting the best coaching that Barnes has to give, players fault ! Must be the refer or maybe Torchy was at fault for the players being so bad. The stud bigs will make us ,Texas better as a team no doubt . The team gives effort to the game they also resemble their coach on the bench. Let them figure it out is very good coaching tools. Where does the “Buck” stop??? Is the NIT still played in NY @the garden? When theplayers figure it out we will be tough to handle, we could go all the way.

PETA. How many years do you figure have been wasted? If JCB had held hands we would have won for sure. We cursed but by whom,what or maybe it starts with a word as coa…. This message was authorized by Patron and his super Pac.

The bottom line is Texas had 27 seconds left with a one-point deficit, and managed to get off just one attempt. That’s on the coach as much as the players.

They also were “self-limited” in that the decision was likely to go away from J’Covan, given three consecutive failures in last-possession tie or win situations in which he had the ball. Brown’s body language said as much as he walked away from his teammates after the last timeout.

I understand, or at least can guess, why they went for one big shot. Problem on the defensive end is that Missouri could put five potential “last shot” guys on the floor. You can’t double, and all it takes is one good screen.

Wasn’t the steal that led to the intentional foul on Kabongo a kick ball? Looked like the dude Pele’d that ball on purpose. Am I the only one who saw this? Am I wrong?

Also, the last shot was absolutely a foul. Barnes wentripshit, which he doesn’t do much.

Kabongo’s shot never had a chance as he went to the Kabongo Headsnap the moment he was touched. He had a great view of TJ Fords jersey though.

The boy who cried wolf.

No doubt the Kabongo turnover was kicked. They only showed the replay 4 times. It obviously hit his foot. Besides, there is no other way that a ball that bounces that low to the ground goes straight back between Myck’s legs. That was the call that pissed me off.

kabongo and brown need to pick up their defense,lewis has to defend everyone’s best guards and he plays wing,he is running all over fighting over picks why dont brown or ka bongo play these guards.