Georgetown Hoyas 64, Texas Longhorns 41: Post-Mortem

Boy, that escalated quickly.

I mean, that really got out of hand fast.

At some point during that game, I think I might have killed a guy with a trident had it not been for the fast-forward button on my DVR.

What was good about the game?

Well, Jay Bilas is a flat-out excellent color guy. 2nd pick behind Fran Fraschilla, imo. I could just write out verbatim all of Bilas' criticisms about the Texas Longhorns and their stagnant offense, and it would suffice for the post-mortem.

For the Georgetown Hoyas, Otto Porter was beastly. The statsheet stuffer went for 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. Difference-maker.

Oh, you meant good about Texas? Well, Sheldon McClellan scored the first 8 points while the rest of the Horns did zip. And after an atrocious start, Cameron Ridley ended up with a semi-decent game, posting 11 points and 5 rebounds. He played 33 minutes and most of the second half, though he was clearly gassed in the waning minutes. Jonathan Holmes somehow corralled 10 rebounds. Defense was generally above-average.

And Texas tried hard. That's about it.

Towards the end of the game, Bilas talked about "wasted effort," which pretty much summarizes Texas' problem. The Longhorns play hard, but it's neither effective nor efficient.

Driving into the paint without purpose. Missing post-entry passes. Complete and utter disregard for the high post against Georgetown's zone. Running flex cuts when the ball hasn't rotated to the play side. Bringing loose balls down to the waist. Failure to box out. Leaving the corner man open in zone defense. Slow rotation on help D. The litany of problems goes on longer than Clipper Cooper's Christmas wish list to Santa Claus.

On the plus side, the #FreeMyck movement got some national pub as Jay "Fly Like a G6" Bilas railed on the NCAA for its indecision. Trill recognize trill, but it also recognize when things are most certainly NOT trill. And you, dear NCAA, are NOT trill.

Javan Felix had his worst game as a Longhorn at the worst possible time. He posted 4 points on 1-9 shooting and 5 turnovers against 3 assists, but more importantly, couldn't provide the leadership and stability Texas needed from its 1.

This is not an NCAA Tournament team until and unless Kabongo returns.

41 points. 29.2% shooting (14-48). 52.4% free throw shooting (11-21). 21 turnovers. These numbers are painfully too familiar.

As Peter Bean points out in his excellent postgame analysis, Texas turned the ball over on 8 of their first 11 possessions, a harbinger of things to come. Jeff Haley's statistical breakdown shows Texas to be shockingly bad. It's almost a wonder that the Longhorns didn't lose by more. At one point, the Hoyas mercifully turned down a fast break to bleed clock. Gee, thanks.

Texas travels to Houston this Saturday to take on the UCLA Bruins in Reliant Stadium. I'll be there, not expecting much. But I won't give up, I won't ever give up.