“UMM”
In a post with just the word “Umm” on ‘X’, a fan seemed to capture the prevailing sentiment in response to the Texas loss to UCF
Texas came out and immediately put UCF on their heels. Dylan Disu started the game and made five quick points, a jumper then a three-pointer. Texas then went on a 13-point run that was highlighted by Max Abmas sinking a three-pointer.
The basket put Abmas in an elite group of college basketball players. Abmas surpassed Larry Bird in points scored in his collegiate career. Bird scored 2850 points and Abmas now has 2,864 after scored 15 points in the game. This leaves Abmas with only 803 points away from the all-time leader Pete Maravich, who holds the #1 spot with 3,667 points. If Abmas continues to score his average of 17 points a game, he will be in the Top 10 NCAA scoring leaders of all time by the time the regular season ends. Currently Abmas is in the Top 25 just ahead of Bird.
For as good as Disu and Abmas were though, Ithiel Horton shot the lights out at the Moody Center and scored a season-high 20 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Texas was stealing the ball right out of the hands of UCF and intercepting passes as the UCF players telegraphed their pass. At one point in the first half, it seemed Texas was not going to humiliate UCF and started to ease up a little.
But then something happened on the court about three quarters of the way through the first half and occurred again during the second half of the game.
At around the 5:00 mark in the first half, UCF started to chip away at Texas’ lead and get as close as only six points behind with 2:42 left in the half. But, with a minute left, Dillion Mitchell and Ithiel Horton put Texas up by 12 points going into a halftime score of 44-32.
In the first half, Texas scored 16 points in the paint, nine of those off of 15 UCF turnovers. Every time Texas touched the ball, they scored more than half the time.
Texas came out in the half and kept the game out of reach for UCF with Dillion Mitchell and Ithiel Horton hitting shot after shot. At 11:59 in the second half, the momentum switched again for UCF. UCF got more aggressive and controlled the boards. In the first half, Texas had eight steals, in the second half, just two, and only 12 rebounds compared to 24 in the first half. Texas would score just four times, even though they were all three-pointers. UCF tied the score with 6:29 remaining and never gave the lead back to Texas.
Head coach Rodney Terry opening comments in the post-game press conference, “I would like to thank our crowd for being here tonight. I thought our crowd was great, great turnout. I thought again that we got a chance to get off to a really good start in this ballgame, work the game plan, and for the better part of the game. Down the stretch we have got to find ways to finish games and close out Big 12 opponents whether you be at home or the road.”
Everyone was surprised, including UCF. Texas head coach Terry was asked in the post-game press conference if it was time to hit the panic button. Great question, right?
Texas is now 12-5 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 Conference with 14 Big 12 games left and No. 9 Baylor is coming to Austin this weekend. Do you remember last season?
Rodney Terry took the helm at Texas last year in 2023 and proceeded to take the team to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2008, when by-the-way, Terry was the assistant coach at Texas under Rick Barnes. Texas finished last season 29-9 overall and 12-6 in the Big 12 Conference and won the Big 12 Championship. So, no it is not time to hit the panic button.
Watch and listen to head coach Terry’s response below starting at the 10:19 point in the video.
Our Analysis
Texas has a lot a talent and the ability to play competitive basketball. When looking at the stats and breaking down when there were momentum shifts, UCF hit the right momentum at the right time.
Texas dominated most of the game. In fact, Texas held the lead for 34:02 to UCF’s 3:31 minutes. A few stats that jump out is at the free throw line. Texas hit 7-12 (58%) to UCF’s 12-15 (80%) That alone is the difference between winning the game or not.
There is plenty of time to correct this and for Texas to be a serious contender for the Big 12 Championship again this year. However, controlling when and for how long that momentum swings will be key.
What did you think of the game? Comment below.
Discover more from Horns Illustrated
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.