AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas men’s basketball team continues its stretch of playing ranked opponents when the Longhorns visit Forth Worth to take on No. 25 TCU on Saturday. It’ll be the fifth consecutive team they’ve played that’s in the Associated Press Top 25.
But that’s life in the Big 12 Conference, and coming off a 76-72 overtime loss to No. 4 Houston on Monday, head coach Rodney Terry said the team is in good shape despite its 3-5 conference record. They have to keep pushing and believe in what they’re trying to do.
“You’re never going to have any obstacle in front of you that you can’t overcome,” he said. “As long as you live your life where you have tremendous faith and treat people the right way, just stay the course.”
Terry calls January “the grind,” and given the strength of the team in the Big 12, that might be an understatement. It’s when conference play begins and when teams really have to focus on their identity, and at the same time, make adjustments because opponents are going to have scouting reports and will exploit tendencies.
-
Texas forward Dillon Mitchell (23) scores against Houston during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Austin, Texas, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Houston forward Joseph Tugler (25) grabs a rebound in front of Texas forward Dillon Mitchell (23) during overtime of an NCAA college basketball game in Austin, Texas, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas guard Max Abmas (3) is blocked by Houston forward J’Wan Roberts, rear, during overtime of an NCAA college basketball game in Austin, Texas, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Houston forward Ja’Vier Francis, center, battles Texas forward Dillon Mitchell (23) and Texas forward Dylan Disu, right, for a rebound during overtime of an NCAA college basketball game in Austin, Texas, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
If teams can get through that portion of the schedule, February is when “separation” happens, Terry said.
“The teams that have embraced the grind start to get a little separation,” Terry said. “Some teams have already packed it in and done by the end of the month, and there will still be some teams still competing and working their way into March.”
He said the Longhorns are “pushing through” the grind, and now that the calendar has flipped to February, it’s time to take advantage of the work they’ve put in.
MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters
They’ll have to deal with the breakneck speed of the Horned Frogs who led the country with 21.1 fastbreak points per game, three more per game than the UTEP Miners. They have four players with scoring averages in double figures, led by Emmanuel Miller (16.5 points per game), Micah Peavy (11.6) and Jameer Nelson Jr. (11.3). Trevlan Tennyson chips in 10.1 per game and JaKobe Coles is almost there at 9.6, so it’s safe to say head coach Jamie Dixon isn’t short on options when it comes to offense.
“They might be the fastest team in college basketball,” Terry said. “Miller is a big-time player and puts a lot of pressure on you in transition and he improved his shooting. There has been a lot growth on that team.”
Terry said TCU has a nice blend of roster continuity and bringing players in like Nelson Jr., the son of 14-year NBA veteran Jameer Nelson. He transferred from Delaware and has made an immediate impact on the Horned Frogs.
The Longhorns and Frogs tip off at 1 p.m. from Schollmaier Arena and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.