Monday, February 28
Texas 63 Missouri 51
The Horns ran away with another home victory, 63-51, in gloomy, wet Austin on Saturday afternoon. Texas didn’t show up until the second half. The fans didn’t show up at all. Texas almost suffered what would have been a devastating, possibly tourney berth ending loss. But Barnes and the Horns got it together in the second half and dominated the overmatched Missouri Tigers.
The last few games, win or lose, we have been playing the same tune: Gibson and Buckman. In front of a regional ABC audience, Texas played basically the same song, only this time with frontman Jason Klotz. Klotz came to the rescue, and just in time. The Horns shot just 6-32 FGs in the first half and trailed for most of it. A better team would have led by double digits at least, but the Tigers were ahead by just one. Texas had come out slow, lethargic, and ice cold. Missouri looked like the team itching to snag a NCAA tournament bid for the seventh straight year. The second half was a totally different story. Texas shot a scorching 70% in the second half, took care of the basketball (turnovers 14-19), and controlled the glass (rebounds 35-32) as they seem to just about every game.
Klotz finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds in thirty-seven hard fought minutes. While Buckman was limited to just nineteen minutes by early foul trouble, Klotz provided the much needed inside part of our offensive attack. This was not the passive Klotz. The one who is afraid to dunk the ball. The one who seems to get pushed around by smaller players on the low block. The one who has been inconsistent the last four years. Klotz looked ready. Klotz used his assassin-like hook shot to score easy baskets, used his body to secure rebounds on both ends, and used his hands to catch everything thrown his way. Gibson countered on the outside with one of his most complete performances of the year: 14 points, 6 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals, and just a single turnover. Gibson should be the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Gibson should be the National Freshman of the Year. Gibson is TJ Ford with a jump shot. I don’t know if I have ever seen a college player with a better off the dribble 3-point jump shot. It is a thing of beauty.
I was very impressed with the Horns on Saturday. I was less than impressed by Austin. Fans—we need you. I realize it has been a tough season in which expectations have not been achieved. But that is even more reason to get behind them. We have one more game against OU on Monday night on ESPN at 8 pm. It will be Senior Night for Klotz, Harris, Taylor, and walk on Adam Gracely. Come out, show your orange, and root on the Horns for the last time this year. OU is tough and playing well. But if we get quality performances from Gibson, Klotz, and Buckman on the same night, we will win. Hook Em.
--AW--
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The victory over Missouri likely clinches an NCAA berth for the Horns, barring a wacky conference tournament season in which a significant number of at-large berths are won by teams that otherwise wouldn't be dancing. Texas still realistically needs to either beat OU, Oklahoma State, or win its first round game in the Big 12 tournament to feel completely comfortable.
--PB--
