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Texas Basketball: Takeaways from Longhorns loss to No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs

By Cooper Watson

SPOKANE, WA - NOVEMBER 13: Andrew Nembhard #3 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs eyes the court during the game against the Texas Longhorns played at McCarthey Athletic Center on November 13, 2021 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Robert Johnson/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WA - NOVEMBER 13: Andrew Nembhard #3 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs eyes the court during the game against the Texas Longhorns played at McCarthey Athletic Center on November 13, 2021 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Robert Johnson/Getty Images) /
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Andrew Jones Texas Basketball (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Andrew Jones Texas Basketball (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

How to get around size issues

It will be interesting to see what Beard does the next time Texas sees a team with multiple big men and a true low-post scoring threat. His first option would be to simply double-team the post (i.e., Virginia), which he probably should’ve done from the start last night. This would leave the skip pass or rotation open, but if the double-team is executed properly and the defensive rotations are correct, it would be a completely viable option. Anything would be better than letting Timme shoot a layup every time down the court.

Beard’s second option would be to simply start two of his true forwards (Disu, Mitchell, and Bishop). While none of them are true low-post defenders, any of them would be a better option than the 6’6 Timmy Allen, who never really stood a chance. Clearly, Disu missed Saturday’s game so Beard would have had to go with Mitchell and Bishop.

Texas’ lack of a true big man is an issue that won’t go away this season, but there are a couple of viable options defensively. Beard’s defensive-oriented coaching mind will certainly pick up on those and the return of Dylan Disu will also help. The Longhorns will probably not be one of the top teams in rim protection or low-post defense at any point this season, they just have to not get crushed like they did by Timme and make up for it in other areas.

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