You might think it's a short road to the SEC Championship game for Texas, given its double bye. However, that can feel a long way away for a college basketball team in March. We just saw yesterday how the Vanderbilt Commodores were sent home from the tournament by Ole Miss. Texas needs that focused mindset heading into tonight's game against the Ole Miss Rebels.
Ole Miss really turned everyone's heads when they had the game against the Commodores wrapped up at halftime. Fans should want to see that same mindset the Longhorns had in the first half tonight. Let's send the Rebels home and end their tournament run with a loss tonight.
Here are four keys to tonight's semifinal game between Texas women's basketball and the Ole Miss Rebels.
1. Make them pack their bags early
The Rebels had their 15 minutes of fame last night after upsetting the Commodores. Now it's time for the Longhorns to show them the door back to Oxford. Texas should be making them run up and down the court after forcing Ole Miss turnovers. That's the type of tenacity and effort the Longhorns need to have if they want their shot at the SEC Championship tomorrow. Texas needs to get its offense going and free up players like Madison Booker and Rori Harmon for open shots.
2. Take good three-point shots
I understand if the ball doesn't go in the hoop on an open three-point shot, but Texas has to do a better job of knowing when to shoot a three-pointer. On some of the shots from beyond the arc that they missed, they could have found an open teammate for a better scoring opportunity. Let's try to move the ball around and find a good shooting lane or shot before attempting the three-pointer.
3. Shut down Latasha Lattimore
Latasha Lattimore seems to be the main source of their offense. They do have other good players on the team; however, it seemed like the Rebels gave her the ball, and it's how they won. The Longhorns' defense hasn't faced the Rebels in quite some time; in fact, it was one of their first conference games this season. A lot has changed in a couple of months, and if the Longhorns aren't ready tonight, Lattimore could have another career night while pulling off another upset.
4. Don't get flustered
One thing that can happen in basketball is that the Rebels can get back into it, and Texas can get flustered when its big lead disappears. I hope the Longhorns don't get too relaxed in the second half of tonight's game so the Rebels can get back into it. If Ole Miss does get back into the game, Texas needs to relax and make its baskets.
Vic Schaefer and Co. are so close to getting back to the SEC Championship tomorrow, and fans don't want to see Texas go home because they got flustered, and Ole Miss took over.