Texas basketball has a chance to end its season on a high note with the upcoming matchup against TCU. The last time these two teams played, the Longhorns controlled the game and won by a big margin. The final score after their first matchup was 70-55. Let’s take a look at both of these squads.
Texas offense
Despite losing big in the first game, TCU was still able to hold the Longhorns to one of their lowest scoring games of the season. This offense needs to show when it is playing less talented teams, it needs to dominate. Texas needs to show it’s a superior team and give itself some confidence before the Big 12 Tournament. Texas only got to match up against Baylor once and split the season series against Kansas, whom are the top two seeds in the tournament. There was a point during the season where the Longhorns were ranked in the top five. They need to find that rhythm again and get their confidence back, which is something they had in the first half of the season.
Texas defense
The Longhorns’ defense played well against TCU in the first matchup only allowing 55 points in the game. A matchup like this can help out your defense as well. It will serve as more of a tune-up game more than anything. The defense should play well and as a result, that will give Texas some momentum and confidence heading into the Big 12 Tournament. This defense averages a good number of steals, and that has been the backbone for it this season. The Longhorns need to focus on that because those could prove to be crucial in every tournament game, whether it is the Big 12 or NCAA tournaments.
TCU offense
This offense runs through two players, RJ Nembhard and Mike Miles. These two lead TCU in every major statistical category on offense. They also are the only two players on the team to average double figure points this season. Texas needs to slow them down again, which is something they did in the first matchup. Nembhard and Miles shot the ball a bunch of times, and the Longhorns defense was able to force them to shoot horribly. It it does that again, Texas should be fine.
TCU defense
Nembhard, along with Kevin Samuel lead TCU in all of the team’s major defensive statistical categories. Like the first matchup, the Longhorns need to keep their eyes on these two. Both are very good defensive players. Samuel averages nearly two blocks a game, while Nembhard averages just over one steal. Based on the first matchup between the teams, TCU used its defense to keep it in the game, and the Longhorns should expect them to do it again.
Texas is going to win this game. It can’t afford to underestimate TCU, but the fact of the matter is that TCU is nearly at the bottom of the Big 12 standings. The Longhorns should win this game, and it will be by a big margin similar to the first matchup with a final score of 78-60.
Photo courtesy of Iowa State Athletics Communications
