Writing that this is the Longhorns’ biggest win of the year feels both cliché and like an immense understatement. But, the fact remains, this was the Longhorns’ biggest win of the year. In fact, it was the Longhorns’ biggest win in many years.
In a sold out, energetic Erwin Center, the likes of which most Longhorn fans haven’t seen in years, No. 25 Texas defeated No. 6 Kansas 81-69. [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]
The defeat is Kansas’ first in Big 12 Conference play, and Texas now sports four wins in a row over top 25 teams and six straight victories overall.
A Longhorns victory never seemed in doubt as Texas’ speed and pesky defense took Kansas out of their game.
After both teams got off to a hot start, making their first eight field goals, Texas’ stingy defense full of shot blockers forced Kansas into turnovers and bad shots. Texas opened up a seven point lead with 10 minutes remaining in the first half on a Cameron Ridley basket, and Texas never looked back.
Thanks to 11 turnovers, 12 blocked shots, and Kansas shooting 25 percent in the first half, Texas was able to get in the open court and push the pace, something that has come to define this squad.
“(Texas) had us on our heels the whole time, they were more prepared to play then,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “They’re faster than we are to start with, and their speed offset our length.”
“It was pretty much a dominating performance by the Longhorns,” Self continued. “We never put pressure on them.”
The Longhorns were led by freshman Isaiah Taylor who, despite a scary fall in the second half, led all scores with 23 points.
“I think Isaiah sets the tone very game,” Demarcus Holland said. “I tell him before every game that he needs to be aggressive”
After facing the No. 1 prospect coming out of high school, Andrew Wiggins, Taylor, who was the No. 302 prospect in his senior class, was asked how those rankings made him feel.
“Rankings don’t matter,” Taylor said. “When we step on that court, that’s all that matters.”
Jonathan Holmes finished with 22 points, and Ridley and Javan Felix each added nine points apiece.
A monstrous dunk by Ridley early in the second half gave the Longhorns a 20-point lead after he hit the ensuing and-one free throw. But two quick threes by Kansas’ Thorpe and Selden cut the lead to 14 with 16 minutes remaining.
However, that was the last run Kansas would make as the Longhorns were able to slow the pace down and never lost their double digit lead.
Putting an exclamation on his worst game as a college athlete, potential lottery pick, and big-name recruit, Andrew Wiggins fouled out with over two minutes remaining in the game. Though it was obviously a poor shooting night for Wiggins, who went two for twelve and finished with seven points, much praise was placed on the defensive aptitude of Demarcus Holland, who drew the assignment of guarding Wiggins.
“He (Holland) is outstanding. All year long, I’m not sure people appreciate what he does,” Texas head coach Rick Barnes said. “What he does, and what you see him do, that’s what he does every day.”
Tuesday, Texas entered the AP Top 25 for first time in three years, leading to renewed energy around the Longhorns basketball program. To add to the energy and the theme of rebirth, Charlie Strong delivered an enthusiastic half time speech to the crowd of 16,540.
“I just hope our football team comes out and plays a game like this,” Strong said at halftime when he introduced his new coaching staff.
Midway through the second half, the Erwin Center fans began chanting “overrated.” Barnes was seen trying to quiet the crowd down and put a halt to the chant.
“I never understood that,” Barnes said. “What do you think? You just beat a team that isn’t any good? I think they’re taking away from what our team just accomplished: beating a great team.”
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