Texas Basketball: 3 keys for the Longhorns against Purdue

2. Texas must shoot the ball well, from all over the floor

Another key for Texas against Purdue will be how well they shoot the ball at all three levels. So far this year the Longhorns have really struggled shooting the ball, their 40.5% from the field is just 307th best in the country, their 64.8% from the free throw line puts them 283rd, and they shoot a paltry 28.9% from beyond the arc.

A closer examination of the Longhorns schedule has shown that, in their three losses they have shot 37.3% from the field, 63.8% from the free throw line and 23% from beyond the arc. In the team’s wins, those numbers change to 42.9%, 65%, and 31.9% respectively. 45% is the key number for Texas if the Longhorns can reach that benchmark in field-goal percentage they should have a chance coming away with a win.

On the flip side, in Purdue’s three losses they have allowed teams to shoot 48% from the field and 39.7% from three-point range, compared to 42% and 36% overall. There is a good chance that if you look at the Texas shooting percentage in the box score after the game and that number is 45% or higher, they Longhorns may have come out on top in this one.