Longhorns Update: Different Directions

On Monday night, basketball fans at the Erwin Center got to see two teams headed in very different directions. Fans were given a fine example of the characteristics of a good basketball team, and one not-so-good team.

For those who may be wondering, the team headed in the downward direction is none other than the University of Texas Longhorns. On the upswing are the Baylor Bears. Oh, how times have changed.

The Horns were on a four game winning streak heading in to Stillwater for Saturday’s game against OSU. I, for one, was starting to get, well, almost optimistic. Perhaps they might be able to finagle their way into the Big Dance in March. A big maybe, but after 4 straight wins, it was conceivable.

But over the span of two games, Longhorn fans were subjected to the harsh reality of the 2011-2012 season.

On Saturday, you only needed two words to adequately describe the game against Oklahoma State. How about “Keiton Page”? "Or “career best”? Or maybe even “forty points”? This was a game that needed to win, really should have won, and yet failed to produce.

Then there was Big Monday. A win against #13 Baylor would give the Horns something to cheer about in the lead-up to March Madness. They played a solid first half and were up by 10 at half time. Would this be the signature win?

No.

Baylor has the potential to be a Final Four team – much like Kansas and Missouri. The Bears have apparently – unbeknownst to those in the Big 12 – instituted a rule stating that all Baylor sports stars have to be a “III”. You know, Robert Griffin III and Perry Jones III. It wouldn’t surprise me if Brittney Griner suddenly showed up with a “III” after her name. But seriously, the Bears have all the pieces that a team needs to go to the Final Four. They became readily apparent in their 77 – 72 win over the Horns.

The Longhorns, on the other hand, do not have what it takes to get to the NCAA tournament this year. They have had a number of teams on the ropes, and have not been able to seal a deal. Their conference record is shoddy. They have lost 8 games by 6 points or less this season. They play brilliant, inspired defense, then fall asleep and give up quick fouls and uncontested lay-ups and three pointers. You never really know which team is going to show up – game to game, and half to half.

What bothers me even more are things like this …

“… head coach Rick Barnes said his young squad doesn’t listen to coaching, doesn’t understand game situations and hasn’t learned how to change those problems in order to win.”

Last time I looked, those were all issues that a coach has to find ways to address. Barnes is getting paid a lot of money to somehow get through to his athletes, to get them ready for game situations, and to teach effectively.

The only way this story gets better is if the Horns can manage to romp their way through the Big 12 tournament. I don’t foresee that happening.

The real question at this stage of the season is - who will actually stick around this year? Will Barnes be able to pull a Mike Krzyzewski and keep the same players on the team for two full seasons?

In the meantime, the season plods onward with 3 remaining games: at Texas Tech, Oklahoma at the Erwin Center, and what should be a horrid pounding at the hands of Thomas Robinson and Kansas. Fingers are now officially crossed for a well-timed win streak to end the season.

Photo credits: aaronisnotcool