Roach, Ibeh post career highs as Texas dominates TCU, 71-54

By Steve Habel/Senior Editor

AUSTIN – Texas coach Shaka Smart knows how to exploit a mismatch, even when the focal point of that advantage is a player — in this case senior center Prince Ibeh — who is usually challenged to produce offensively.

The Longhorns got a surprising career-high 17 points and 10 rebounds from Ibeh and a career-high 22 points from high-flying freshman guard Kerwin Roach, Jr., as Texas built a big lead in the first half and cruised to a 71-54 win Tuesday against TCU in a Big 12 matchup at the Frank Erwin Center.

Four of the Longhorns’ first five offensive [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]sets of the game were run for or through Ibeh, who usually fills the role as UT’s defensive stopper, as Texas worked to take advantage of a size advantage over TCU’s post players.

“We wanted to get the ball inside and our guys did a great job of scoring when we got the ball in there,” Smart said. “For the big guys like Prince, the game can be really hard and you have to throw them a bone once in a while. We thought we could do some things in the post, and we were right.”

Ibeh has been on the court more in the past month after the injury to fellow senior center Cameron Ridley pushed him out of a reserve role and into the spotlight.

“I’m just playing — I don’t think too much about my success outside that of how it helps the team win,” Ibeh said. “I never really played this many minutes before and was always a little timid. Now, each game I’m out there, I feel better about myself. Once you start seeing your shots go in, your confidence grows.”

Despite his offensive breakthrough against TCU, Ibeh understands that his role is to play defense first.

“I think my defensive presence out there changes the game,” he said. “I’ve had to find the level of aggressiveness as I’ve played more.”

TCU, which never led after the first basket of the game, was paced by forward Chris Washburn and guard Malique Trent, who scored nine points apiece. The Horned Frogs have lost seven of their past eight games, with the only win in that stretch Jan. 9 against Texas (58-57).

Texas outshot TCU 40 percent to 33 percent and had 42 rebounds to the Horned Frogs’ 34.

Texas (13-7 overall, 5-3 in Big 12 play) missed all seven first-half three-point attempts but still led, 37-27, at halftime behind 46 percent shooting from the floor and 10 points by Roach. TCU was shackled with foul trouble from the start — the Frogs racked up seven team fouls in the first four-and-a-half minutes — allowing the Longhorns to score 11 of their points in the half from the free throw line.

“Tonight, ‘Snoop’ (Roach) was terrific,” Smart said. “He did a great job of getting into the lane and getting fouled, and he gave us a lift that we needed. He’s really hungry to get better, and I happy am about the way he’s approaching the coaching we give him. The exciting thing is that he has such a big upside.”

The Horned Frogs (9-11 overall, 1-7 in Big 12) cut the Texas lead to 40-34 with 17:42 remaining in the second half, but the Longhorns reasserted themselves with a 9-2 run over the ensuing six minutes to push their advantage back to 13 points.

“Our confidence is high and we have an aggressive mindset,” Roach said. “We feel good about what we’ve been able to do these past few weeks and moving forward.”

The Longhorns could get continue to improve with Ibeh asserting himself more and more.

“Prince was terrific tonight and I’m so proud of him,” Smart said. “He has made the most of the opportunities that has come his way. He has grown and worked hard to get better. His improvement is a result of a cumulative effect and him building his confidence, and he’ll be even better because he’s having fun playing basketball.”

Texas steps out of Big 12 play Saturday when it hosts Vanderbilt as part of the Big 12-SEC Challenge.

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