Texas Basketball: 3 reasons why the Longhorns will make the Final Four
Chris Beard’s defense is even better
In the last two games, I have nothing but good things to say regarding the preparation and in-game coaching for Beard. This team has come more than prepared in the last two games, which lead to a combined margin of victory of 70 points in the triumphs over Gonzaga and Houston Christian.
While Texas is clearly picking up the pace offensively out of the gates this season compared to last year, this group is still maintaining its stout defensive identity. Texas is allowing just 54 points per game to start the season, good for 21st in the country.
You can tell how well-coached Texas is on the defensive end of the floor, especially when Beard’s squad is forced to make in-game adjustments, and then they handle them well.
A good example of this is the discipline and consistency that Texas played with on defense against two-time All-American Gonzaga big man Drew Timme in the win on Nov. 16. Texas held Timme to a season-worst 18 points and five turnovers. That is less than half the number of points that Timme put up on the Longhorns last season (a career-high 37).
dark. Next. 2 studs, 1 dud, from Texas' dominant win over Gonzaga
If Texas continues to defend at this high level on the perimeter and on the interior, it’s hard to find any team that will be able to best them on a consistent basis. Texas is proving to be too deep and has too many versatile players up and down the lineup to be taken advantage of on defense.