Much of the attention following Kansas State’s 75-64 loss at Texas on Saturday was directed at Mike Stuart, David Hall and Rodrick Dixon, the officiating crew that worked the game.
Before opening tip, they apparently told both teams they were going to call a tight game and Texas decided to try and take advantage of that by attacking the rim every chance it got. The Longhorns ended up at the free-throw line 48 times. Compared to just 12 free throw attempts for K-State (zero in the second half), that is a whopping number.
There’s no way any game should have that kind of difference in free throws. Had Frank Martin not criticized officials two weeks earlier for allowing Iowa State to shoot 26 free throws while K-State shot 11, I’ve got a feeling he would have ripped them in Austin. But the Wildcats coach didn’t want to pick up a possible punishment from the Big 12 heading into Monday’s game against Kansas. So all he said about the topic was: “I didn’t officiate. You would have to ask them.”
Probably the right move. As questionable as some of the calls were, I’m not sure you can say the officials gave Texas the game. The Longhorns got to the foul line by being aggressive. Much more aggressive than K-State.
After falling behind by 15 points, Texas picked up its defensive effort and made it extremely difficult for K-State to run offense. Rodney McGruder couldn’t do much against constant double teams, and the Wildcats turned the ball over too often. There were several possessions late where simply getting a shot off seemed like a success.
That turned into good offensive chances for Texas, and the Longhorns took advantage by making 68 percent of their shots from the field in the second half and scoring 35 points from the free-throw line.
The officials may have helped them do so, but there is no disputing that the Longhorns outplayed the Wildcats. K-State was firmly in control with a 15-point lead and let a winnable game slip away. It will need to do better in upcoming games against Kansas, Baylor and Missouri.
Player of the game
J’Covan Brown. No one in the Big 12 misses more shots, but when the Longhorns’ leading scorer is hot, he is really hot. He made huge plays in the second half, scored 23 points and led Texas to victory.
Play of the game
Brown made a three-pointer in transition in the second half that gave Texas a lead it would never give up. After trailing by 15 points a few moments earlier, that was quite the turnaround for the Longhorns.
Statistically speaking
Both teams switched shooting percentages early and late. In the first half, K-State shot 51.9 percent from the field while Texas made 28 percent of its shots. In the second half, Texas made 68.8 percent of its shots and K-State dropped to 32.2 percent.
Do it again!
Adrian Diaz once again showed off his offensive skills with two very impressive shots in the first half. One beat the shot clock and the other came off a spin move on the baseline. He needs to toughen up, and do more inside. But if he can build off his last two scoring performances, he can really help K-State.
How about a do-over?
Rodney McGruder couldn’t do anything against Texas once the Longhorns started sending two defenders at him every time he touched the ball in the second half. He went scoreless in the game’s final 20 minutes.
Quote to note
“We’re .500 in league play in the No. 2 conference in the country. We will be all right.” — Frank Martin.