Texas Basketball: 2 studs, 1 dud from tight win over No. 7 Creighton

In what will be one of the biggest non-conference games of the season, No. 2 ranked Texas basketball and head coach Chris Beard looked stout most of the way against head coach Greg McDermott and the No. 7 ranked Creighton Blue Jays.

This win was anything but comfortable for Beard and the Longhorns, though.

When it looked like the Longhorns were starting to ice the game late, Creighton was always right there to pull right back with them. Multiple runs for Texas were put down in quick fashion by Creighton, especially in the second half. That included the late run that Creighton made things interesting.

South Dakota State transfer Baylor Scheierman got going late, making four straight shots (three of which came from beyond the arc). That kept it within one possession in the final seconds of this game between Texas and Creighton.

And there were some other Creighton players that were able to help keep this game close down the stretch in the second half.

Creighton got big performances out of the trio of standout sophomore point guard Ryan Nembhard, junior big man Ryan Kalkbrenner, and sophomore forward Arthur Kaluma.

Yet, Texas was still able to get the win in the end by the final score of 72-67.

Marcus Carr and No. 2 Texas basketball down No. 7 Creighton at home

Here’s a look at the two studs, and one dud for the Longhorns following this close win at home on Dec. 1 over Creighton.

Stud No. 1: Timmy Allen, F

It’s really nice to finally include senior forward Timmy Allen on the list of studs for the first time this season. Through the first five games of the regular season, Allen was often appearing as the lone dud on the list for the Longhorns.

Allen finally showing out in a big game for the Longhorns this season is a testament both to the patience that Beard had for him to get going offensively along with the toughness he had to come through at a huge time.

Moreover, Allen contributed in multiple ways to this game for the Longhorns. He finished up with 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field and 0-of-1 from beyond the arc. Allen also racked up a team-high seven rebounds, four offensive rebounds, three assists, and just one turnover.

This was definitely the most efficient offensive game we’ve seen out of Allen all season.

Allen also brought a ton of energy to help Texas get some extra possession back on the offensive end.

It feels like this is the type of game that can be a launching point for Allen for the rest of non-conference play and throughout the Big 12 slate.