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Texas Basketball vs. Purdue: 5 takeaways from monster win over Boilermakers

By Andrew Miller

AUSTIN, TX - DECEMBER 9: Nojel Eastern #20 of the Purdue Boilermakers shoots the ball against Kerwin Roach II #12 of the Texas Longhorns at the Frank Erwin Center on December 9, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - DECEMBER 9: Nojel Eastern #20 of the Purdue Boilermakers shoots the ball against Kerwin Roach II #12 of the Texas Longhorns at the Frank Erwin Center on December 9, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – DECEMBER 9: Elijah Mitrou-Long #55 of the Texas Longhorns throws the ball in the air at the buzzer as the Texas Longhorns defeats the Purdue Boilermakers at the Frank Erwin Center on December 9, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – DECEMBER 9: Elijah Mitrou-Long #55 of the Texas Longhorns throws the ball in the air at the buzzer as the Texas Longhorns defeats the Purdue Boilermakers at the Frank Erwin Center on December 9, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

3. Much-needed boosts off the bench

The distribution of the scoring was a big reason why Texas basketball got the boost it needed offensively to push past the Boilermakers. The bench scoring came and went for the Horns frequently this season. Texas rarely gets two players scoring in double figures off the bench this season.

Moreover, getting production from deeper in the rotation is important for the Horns to accomplish something like beating the spread. Texas entered this game 2-6 against the spread, while Purdue entered at 5-4. Purdue was a two-point favorite right before tip-off which wasn’t a great sign for the Horns.

This rare sign of the Horns beating the spread and pulling off the upset led to the most memorable wins of the season so far. The wins for Texas over Purdue and the UNC Tar Heels saw the offense take off and the defense hold on as it needed to down the stretch in the second half. It also got good production from the bench.

Former transfer guard Elijah Mitrou-Long and Hayes posted scoring figures in double digits in this game. Mitrou-Long and Hayes played significant minutes off the bench, and combined for 24 points and seven rebounds. This outing from Mitrou-Long also saw him post his second game scoring in double figures and a season-high in points.

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