Texas Basketball: 3 takeaways from Longhorns’ tough loss to UConn

Texas needs more out of Max Abmas

We have mostly focused on the positive takeaways from the Longhorns’ 10-point loss to UConn on Nov. 20. But the negatives need to be discussed, too.

Among the most significant negative takeaways from this loss to UConn is another offensive off night from senior guard Max Abmas. Abmas shot just 4-of-14 from the field, as he was held under 30 percent shooting from the field for the second consecutive game.

Abmas was more efficient shooting from beyond the arc in this game, going 2-of-5. But that wasn’t enough to make up for the inefficient shooting night from the field and the fact that he didn’t get to the free-throw line for the third straight game.

I don’t know if the refs have something against Abmas or what, but he’s apparently not drawing enough contact to get to the stripe for some easy points.

The main problem Abmas is facing on the offensive end is the inability to hit open shots. He was slow to pull the trigger on a few open looks from mid-range and beyond the arc against UConn.

Abmas is going through a drought shooting from the field, even when he’s open. After shooting better than 50 percent from the field and beyond the arc in the season’s first three games on uncontested attempts, Abmas is worse than 35 percent from the field on unguarded field goal attempts in the last three.

If Abmas keeps taking 12+ field goal attempts per game, Texas needs him to average over a point per field goal attempt to find consistent success from one of its top initiators and playmakers in the backcourt. It is a bit of a problematic trend that Abmas is barely averaging over one point per field goal attempt after six games this season.

Off nights happen for good shooters and scorers, such as Abmas, will happen. Texas needs to have patience while he breaks into this offense and finds his rhythm. But he’ll need to be a more consistent source of scoring when Texas faces these difficult opponents down the stretch late in the regular season and in the postseason.