Texas gets bullied in the paint
Where the Longhorns ultimately lost this game to the Aggies was in the battle in the paint. Texas was outrebounded and outscored by heavy margins around the basket in this game, highlighting the Longhorns' lack of proven depth and size down low in the frontcourt rotation.
Senior big man Kadin Shedrick was Texas's only option in the paint as a consistent rebounder and someone who could provide some semblance of rim protection. Shedrick had double-digit rebounds for the first time this season.
Despite Shedrick's efficient night on the glass, he was pretty much absent trying to score the basketball for the Longhorns around the rim. Shedrick was held to a season-low zero points and three turnovers with only one missed field-goal attempt.
Texas's inability to drive to the rim and dish the ball off to open players from inside out or to have a sustained post-up game to work the ball in from outside of the perimeter clogged the Longhorns' play calling and offensive sets in the settled half-court.
Texas A&M won the battle for points in the paint by a margin of 48-16. Texas's frontcourt bench rotation was also outscored by the Aggies' by a margin of over 15 points.
It's hard to win games when you're getting outsized and outrebounded in the paint as consistently as Texas has in their three losses this season, most recently to the No. 25 UConn Huskies and Texas A&M tonight.
Terry and the Longhorns staff must find answers to the frontcourt issues if this team is going to be competitive in the ultra-deep SEC this season, with matchups against No. 1 Tennessee and No. 2 Auburn up next in the coming seven days for Texas.