Longhorns Update: The February Fade

In 2010, the February Fade was ugly, to say the least. A team with a lot of talent began the season with a 17 game winning streak. This same team then earned a number one national ranking. You could hear the fans – self included – proclaiming that maybe this was the Longhorns’ season to go beyond the Final Four.

And then it all went bad - so bad, in fact, that they finished the season with a 7 – 10 record and a first round exit from the NCAA tournament. At the time, I found myself wondering about the inability of great individual talents to play as a unit. They say that there is no “I” in TEAM – but there is a ME, and unfortunately it reared its ugly head far too many times down the stretch last year. I also found myself wondering about the inability of Coach Rick Barnes in righting the ship as it was wavering, and in finding a way to improve a team that had horrid free throw shooting at best.

The February Fade.

As we now enter March 2011, we’re witnessing many of the same traits as last season from a totally different Longhorn team.  The one constant over the past two seasons? Coach Rick Barnes, of course.

The 2011 team was virtually unstoppable through mid-February. They were playing as a team, playing great defense, and finding good open shots. This year’s team is 9 players deep, and they have continued to get consistent points and minutes from bench players.

Once again, it all started to fall apart in February. They were 11-0 in conference, and have since gone 1 – 3. Shades of the Fade of 2010 are appearing. Now, we are starting to see the same old issues creep up. The poor free throw shooting. The uninspired play. The inability of players to step up and provide leadership. These issues all took center stage in a loss (at home) against Kansas State.

J’Covan Brown continues to think there is a ME in TEAM, and is predictably going to take the rock to the hoop any time he gets the chance – open shot or otherwise. It is always as though he’s trying to make his own highlight reel. Granted, this is one talented player, but he needs to use this talent in the context of improving the team and not hindering it. Jordan Hamilton, once averaging 19 points per game, looked average against KSU and allowed two open three point shots without being within 5 feet of his player defensively. Gary Johnson barely made an appearance on the scoreboard. Dogus Balbay’s lock-down defense looked average as well, letting Jacob Pullen pour in a bucketful of points.

So who is ultimately responsible? The finger has to point at Rick Barnes. The coach needs to be able to provide leadership, skill development, and inspiration. He needs to be able to sort out, as the game progresses, the necessary adjustments to both his game plan and his line-up. Barnes has been great at recruiting, especially at a traditionally football-centric school. Let’s face it – the program has seen the likes of T.J. Ford, LaMarcus Aldridge, D.J. Augustin, and yes, Kevin Durant. But one trip to the Final Four is all we have to show for the program (and all the incredibly talented recruits) since Barnes arrived on the Forty Acres. If you were looking for a National Champion in early February, Barnes’ teams would always be in the running.

But we all know that it is March that counts. Monday’s loss to Kansas State – at home, no less – was a fine display of teams going in opposite directions. KSU is definitely on the rise, playing like the team that was a pre-season Top 5 pick by virtually everyone. Texas, on the other hand, is on a descent through the Top 25. Once thought of as a lock on a number one tournament seed, they are now going to be fortunate to receive a number 3 or 4 seed.

The 2011 team has tremendous talent and has showed the nation that it can be a National Championship contender. Now if only Barnes could guide them to it. The Big 12 tournament would be a good place to re-establish their February dominance. Hopefully, the Ides of March will not be upon us.

Photo credits: sarflondondunc

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