Texas's bench and frontcourt severely lacking depth and impact players
This was a valiant effort by Texas against a better Auburn team that is one of the best and deepest squads in the country in college basketball.
Texas's frontcourt performed much better in this game against Auburn and preseason All-American senior big man Johni Broome, compared to getting walloped in the paint by Texas A&M a few days ago in the SEC opener.
Coming into this game, Texas ranked 13th in the SEC in bench scoring (22.3) and dead-last in second-chance points (9.8).
Texas has needed guys like senior guards Tramon Mark and Julian Larry to step up in support scoring roles in the backcourt rotation this season. But a combination of injuries and a lack of a finding a true team identity for the Longhorns on the offensive end of the floor has produced mixed results for Texas's backcourt unit.
The Longhorns' depth also suffered in this game because of a hip injury that caused junior guard Chendall Weaver to leave the contest after five minutes on the floor. With Weaver out, the Longhorns had just nine points from the reserves against Auburn.
No bench player for the Longhorns in this game scored more than one field goal. Larry did have six points off the bench, thanks to four free throws. But only Larry and senior big man Ze'Rik Onyema made a field goal among Texas's reserve players.
It's also noteworthy that the Longhorns have been outrebounded by an average margin in the double digits between the losses to Auburn and Texas A&M to start SEC play in the past week.