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5 Takeaways from Texas Basketball Win vs Incarnate Word

By Tyler Brett

Nov 11, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart reacts against the Incarnate Word Cardinals during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. The Longhorns won 78-73. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart reacts against the Incarnate Word Cardinals during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. The Longhorns won 78-73. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 11, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart reacts against the Incarnate Word Cardinals during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. The Longhorns won 78-73. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart reacts against the Incarnate Word Cardinals during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. The Longhorns won 78-73. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas basketball hit the floor for the first time this season on Friday night and escaped with a 78-73 win over Incarnate Word. The No. 21 Longhorns had more trouble with the Cardinals than they expected but found a way to win in the end. What does this game mean going forward for Shaka Smart and Texas?

It’s important to remember that this is an incredibly young team that was short-handed for their season opener. Texas lost their entire starting lineup from last season and will be leaning heavily on a talented freshman class in 2016-17. On top of that, the team dressed just 10 players in this game with Kerwin Roach and Tevin Mack serving suspensions for rules violations during the offseason.

That lack of experience and depth showed up at times against Incarnate Word. Texas turned the ball over a bunch in the first half and then blew a double-digit second half lead. At one point, the Cardinals pulled ahead with 2:30 to play before Texas responded. This was not a game that showcased why Texas is ranked No. 21 in the preseason polls.

However, they did find a way to win. Despite all their mistakes, Texas buckled down when they needed to and put away a dangerous UIW squad. The Cardinals can score and are not your typical “tune-up” game. Shawn Johnson led all scorers in this game with 24 points for Incarnate Word. This won’t be the last time the Cardinals push a big-conference opponent this winter.

In the end, Texas got the win. Here are five things we can take away from the game and build on moving forward.

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