A slippery slope (by Chris Flanagan)

[HornSports Staff]

 submitted Today, 01:15 PM in Texas Longhorns Basketball By Chris Flanagan
 
The Texas Longhorns concluded the regular season Saturday with a win over the Kansas State Wildcats. What does the win mean for Texas?

From multiple aspects, Saturday’s game was one that the Horns needed to win. Even though the offense was cold at times against KSU, it also ran hot enough for a victory.

Unlike in previous games, the Longhorns did not panic when they were down or when shots were not falling. When the offense wasn’t clicking, the team relied on tenacious defense which created turnovers, and fast-break points. Texas is at their best when they are in transition and getting easy buckets.

The team that beat the Wildcats is the team fans wanted to see all season long. Regardless of choosing to focus on the team’s 12 losses or their 19 wins, the fact is that neither total is impressive. What matters now is that the Longhorns are playing their best basketball in March – that's what any fan wants before the season begins.

Even with the win, the Longhorns still have an uphill battle to get into the NCAA tournament. Saturday was a tough day to determine what the Horns’ chances are.

For example: The Indiana Hoosiers lost against Michigan State on Saturday. The Longhorns needed that. However, Wichita State was upset by Illinois State in the Missouri Valley conference tournament. Longhorn fans need to root for Northern Iowa on Sunday because if Illinois State wins, there will be three teams from the Missouri Valley conference going to the NCAA tournament. That takes away a spot for a bubble team. (For a breakdown of all the bubble games, click HERE.)

While many bracketologists think Texas is in the field of 68, a lot can happen in a week. It's not called March Monotony – it's March Madness. Texas fans want as much monotony as possible this week to boost their chances of making the tournament.


What's next for the Longhorns?

Next Wednesday, Hornsports will be live in Kansas City for the big 12 tournament. The first game for Texas is Wednesday at 8:30 (CST) against Texas Tech. If the Longhorns win, they will play Iowa State in the second round. The question at this point is ‘How many wins does UT need?’ 

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

One Big12 tourney win may be enough, but I'd feel comfortable 2 will do it

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Northern Iowa started the game ice cold and is trailing Illinois State by double digits.

 

[gmcc]

Chris or Others:

Do you think Barnes will be replaced after the season?  If so, who would the most likely candidates be?

 

[Chris Flanagan]

Chris or Others:

Do you think Barnes will be replaced after the season? If so, who would the most likely candidates be?

The issue is going to be how much of a groundswell does the anger create in Bellmont.

If it doesn't, then Rick Barnes will stay.

But there is one intangible that many people are not considering which I will be stating in an article soon. The new basketball arena. That will have a huge effect on Rick Barnes's job security.

 

[doc longhorn]

Mr. Barnes is history.  Steve Patterson knows basketball and is always working for the bottom line.  Non sold out arenas is the death knell for coaches of any sport.

 

[streettopeschel]

The issue is going to be how much of a groundswell does the anger create in Bellmont.

If it doesn't, then Rick Barnes will stay.

But there is one intangible that many people are not considering which I will be stating in an article soon. The new basketball arena. That will have a huge effect on Rick Barnes's job security.

the new arena is several years away. I doubt that is much of a factor today.