Texas Basketball: What Texas Needs to Accomplish vs. Rice

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The Rice Owls come to town for Texas’ final tune up before Big 12 play begins next month. There are still a few things the Longhorns need to iron out before conference play. Here is what Rick Barnes’ crew must accomplish on Monday.

Feed Cameron Ridley

Just because Ridley looks more fit and trim than last year, it doesn’t mean Texas needs to stop feeding the big man. Ridley has not got going so far this season. It would be good to get him involved in the offense in order to build up his confidence going into Big 12 action. He needs more than just 17-18 minutes a game and a handful of touches around the basket. Feed the ball to the big man.

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Continue to work Kendal Yancy into the offense

We know Isaiah Taylor will be returning soon. What we don’t know is how well he will play after such a long layoff, or how his wrist will respond. In the meantime, Barnes should keep featuring Yancy.

With all due respect to Javan Felix and Demarcus Holland, neither is a point guard who can create his own scoring opportunities. Both Felix and Holland are better suited to play the two guard. That leaves Yancy as the best option. He has compiled some pretty good minutes in the last few games. The sophomore did not see much playing time last season, so all of these minutes will prove beneficial later in the season, or if Taylor needs a breather.

Work on ball security

Turnovers are still a concern with this team. Texas won’t beat the likes of Kansas, Iowa State and other conference powers by turning the ball over 10 plus times a game. Some of the miscues can be blamed on the absence of Taylor and Barnes trying to work Myles Turner into the mix. Players are still trying to figure out who will be where.

Texas Longhorns
Texas Longhorns /

Texas Longhorns

Still, some of the turnovers are the result of careless ball handling. These are correctable, with a little more focus and attention to detail. Again, this may all clear up once Taylor returns. In the meantime, the Rice game would be a good opportunity to clean up the messy play.

Work on the perimeter defense

Texas has been outstanding on defense for most of the season. The last two games, however, the Longhorns have given up a number of big plays to opponent’s guards. Long Beach State guard Mike Caffey had 23 points, hitting four 3-point shots. Stanford guard Chasson Randle had 22 points as Texas gave up eight 3-point baskets in the loss to the Cardinal.

Texas needs to get back to that suffocating defense it was playing earlier in the year. Rice makes the perfect victim for that.