Iowa St. Cyclones 85, Texas Longhorns 76: Post-Mortem

The Texas Longhorns played well in some respects, and not well enough in others. The end result: an 85-76 to loss to the Iowa St. Cyclones. A loss in Ames isn't a huge bummer, but in a highly competitive Big 12, this loss significantly impacts Texas' chances of winning the conference.

The good:

• 23-25 from the free throw line. Statistical aberration. But a welcome one.
• 45-35 rebounding advantage. Texas had 20 offensive boards.
• 10 turnovers.
• Anything Isaiah Taylor. 26 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists. 10-10 from the line. Only one turnover. Baller status.

The bad:

• Texas shot 32.9% from the field. Iowa State shot 49.2%. Ballgame.
• Javan Felix was brutal. 16 points, but 6-22 from the field. 4-15 from distance.
• Iowa State frontcourt: 54 points. Texas frontcourt: 28 points. Oh by the way, Iowa State's frontcourt heights: 6' 6", 6' 6", 6' 7". Texas' frontcourt heights: 6' 8", 6' 9", 6' 9", 6' 10".

The ugly:

@GoHornsGo90 @BDavisAAS Iowa State's entire defense is built to keep the ball out of the paint. It is what they do.

— Jeff Haley (@jeffchaley) February 19, 2014

@WideRtNattyLt Hey, it's only 7 airballs. (Seriously, I'm keeping track of this absurd stat.)

— El Diablo Blanco (@Bitterwhiteguy) February 19, 2014

So Texas had stretches of 7+ and 6+ minutes without a field goal. Not a recipe for success on the road.

— Ryan Clark (@LonghornRdTrip) February 19, 2014

Can't score = can't win.

The road doesn't get any easier. Texas travels to Lawrence to take on Kansas this weekend.