2021 NCAA tournament

ESPN article by Creme & Voepel where they’ve reseeded the teams has Texas as the last #2 seed. There’s a lot of teams above Texas that I like Texas’ chances in a 40 minute game (or as Vic says eight 5 minute games).

 

I was thinking the same thing. I finally had to mute it for that reason. Its not just this game but announcers in general really just suck. Its just like Americas has become where you no longer strive for the best and brightest. Its just 1 cliche after another.

 

The Lady Longhorns have not gotten any love in the tournament so far from the critics and commentators. I hope they keep using that as fuel to keep on pulling the upsets.

Congrats Lady Horns and keep up the good work

 

Celeste and Vic in the post-game presser did make note of no one in the media talking about them pre-tournament.

In all fairness, we were a #6 seed who had recently only reached the Big 12 tournament semi-finals; some folks thought we were overseeded in the bracket. So, not sure we should have been considered a "dark horse" or talked about much as we weren't on any kind of run or winning streak.

Should we have received more "love" after beating UCLA the other night? Maybe. But, apparently, Maryland's demolitions of #15 and #7 seeds were more impressive than the #6 seed Texas completely outclassing the #3 seed UCLA . . .

 

Totally agree. Not sure this team has enough to beat Baylor and I dont think anyone can handle UConn. We have certainly turned heads and that kudos goes to the coaching staff. I liked Karen but she is not Vic.

 

Story from TheNext...

'Texas fight': the makings of an upset

Texas basketball is not lush. It isn’t an offensive juggernaut. But it’s ready for war. And head coach Vic Schaefer is the tournament’s Trojan Horse.

The Longhorns weren’t even supposed to be in this game, but Schaefer and his elite defensive squads have made it this far before. Really, that’s all they needed. That, and a chip on their shoulder. Schaefer took the opportunity after the game to relish in the win and wax poetic about his team’s underdog status.

“To see them respond right now is really, again, it's why we do what we do in coaching,” Schaefer told assembled media on a postgame Zoom. “I told them tonight, I think I used the phrase, 'nobody gives you a snowball's chance in hell.' And that's okay, it's no problem. I don't care what people think.”

Maryland came into this game as the heavy favorite to move on to the Elite 8 and looked like the offensive freight train we’ve come to expect in the opening minutes. The Terrapins opened the first quarter on a 13-2 run and threatened to put the contest away early, with Katie Benzan and Ashley Owusu getting buckets early. No offense has looked more in sync than the Terrapins over the past month, as they came into the game averaging over 90 points per game on the season and had score 198 points in the first two rounds of the tournament. None of it mattered in the Sweet 16.

“There were people out there saying they were gonna hang 100 on us, and I think we took that personally,” Texas sophomore guard Celeste Taylor said. “Every last one of us took that personally. So we went out there and said, ‘We need to play defense.’”

Even as the first quarter went Maryland’s way, the final three quarters all favored Texas. The Longhorns relied on their defensive length and controlled the pace of the game, stifling Maryland’s strong six — that is, the six players who average at least 10 points per game — and limiting any chance for the Terrapins to put a run together.

Stopping that offense takes an entire team effort, and the Longhorns almost saw their season slip away with five minutes left when Audrey Warren fell hard to the ground and hit her head on the court. Warren, who has a long history of head injuries, came out of the game as the Longhorns trailed 56-52, forcing Schaefer to expand his rotation back to six players.

Lauren Ebo, Warren’s reserve, deflected a pass free for Kyra Lambert to score in the open court with 30 seconds left and give Texas the final lead of the game.

Texas basketball has saved its best play for March. If you ask previous iterations of this team to pull off the upset, from November to February, they likely couldn’t have done it. But this is March.

How did they get here? The defense finally started clicking.

“Defensive chemistry is the last thing you get on the team,” Schaefer said. “And it doesn't come without hard work and doing it every day. Defense is nothing more than teaching habits, y'all. And the only way you're going to create a habit is to do it every day.”

The Longhorns guards have also 180’d, breaking the singular scout that teams held which focused on projected number one pick Charli Collier. Collier did about everything you could ask for her on an off-night — that is, 16 points, 11 rebounds and solid interior defense. But you can’t just scout Collier now. The entire team has been in the trenches to get to this point.

Celeste Taylor is playing the best basketball of her life right now. Even after her shot went cold in January, the rest of her game kept growing, and Schaefer never lost his confidence in her. So when the shots started connecting, Taylor began to gain confidence. Now, she looks like one of the most complete players in the Big 12 — and one of the best guards left in this tournament.

Even in her first NCAA Tournament, she’s met the moment. Taylor finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds on Saturday.

But she’s hardly the only Taylor getting it done. Junior guard Joanne Allen-Taylor is the heart and soul of this team, and for the millionth time this year, she showed why. With three minutes left in the game, Taylor landed hard on her tailbone, looking like a lock to join Warren in the locker room.

But less than a minute later, she checked back in and finished off the game for the Longhorns, drawing raucous cheers from a Texas crowd that made this nearly a home game.

#1 seed South Carolina is up next.

Texas will look for its first Final Four appearance since 2003 against South Carolina, and Schaefer will try to avenge Mississippi State’s loss to South Carolina’s Dawn Staley in the 2017 Championship Game. This matchup gives us the chance to watch the head-to-head spectacle that is Charli Collier vs. Aliyah Boston, which The Next’s Mitchell Northam previewed for us here.

The Longhorns will enter Tuesday’s game as heavy underdogs. It seems that they like it that way.

 

I wish we had an update on Audrey and hope she’s not suffering a concussion.
I hope Joanne is ok. She was limping when she went back into the game and then adrenaline took over. I hope Ashley is ok. It was a strange sight to see her and Coach Lavato in the foreground of the camera shot of Texas throwing the ball in play to start the 3rd Qtr across court from the Longhorns bench. Clearly something was off because Ashley would have been tapped to sub in when Kyra got a bloody nose. Kyra took several hard hits last night.

 

The sun is shinin', c'mon get happy
The Lord is waitin' to take your hand
Shout "hallelujah", c'mon get happy
We're going to the promise land

 

I will gladly answer question 4 now. The answer is NO! LOL
I was one of those who was living in that crack for awhile, especially after that WV game on the road. I wish nothing but the best for the previous staff and from what I hear KA is gonna land back on her feet very, very soon. With that being said, Vic has brought a different kind of mentality that is contagious. He has won me over. The win like last nights win will win over recruits and transfers for years ahead....and, for what it's worth, I think we match up pretty good with SC. Keep the train rollin'!

 

Glad to hear KA is doing well. Hopefully that means she might be returning to coaching.

 

I'll never forget Augie Garrido (may he RIP) talking about how in the post-season, it's often one of the role players (or non-starters) who makes the play of the game and becomes the hero. That hero was Lauren Ebo tonight with that deflection.

 

Agreed! I didn't realize she had grabbed six rebounds in her 16 minutes. Until watching the highlights, I didn't realize that Audrey's four baskets came at such crucial moments either.

 

Vic has done OK against "unbeatable" UCONN squads in the past. I think ending their 111 game winning streak a few years ago in the 2017 Final Four with the "Shot Heard 'Round The World" speaks to that.




"Offense sells tickets. Defense wins games. Rebounding wins championships".

Pat Head Summitt (1991)

 

Totally agree, as I've been in that same boat. But for him to do what he's been able to do with a short handed, and solid but not great overall talent is impressive. I'm just thinking of how this team would be even better right now with Gaston.

 

I think UConn is beatable.

 

Missing from my previous praises was Charli. I expect so much from her that when the others step up big it grabs all my attention. But, like I told someone else, Charli was big in critical moments last night. She had key buckets, she rebounded, played smart position defense, stayed out of foul trouble, and most importantly just let the game come to her within its natural flow. When it did she produced... she played a very mature game.

 

A mature game.

That is a very succinct way to say it. And assessed accurately as well. That is something Charli has not always done this year, given that we needed her to play hero ball early on, and it is a beautiful thing to see her grow into that role.

 

No need to worry about beating UConn or Baylor at the moment; our team will relish the opportunity to play either one of them if we beat South Carolina on Tuesday night to advance to our first Final Four since 2003.

 

Absolutely

 

So my question is, do we root for UCONN or Baylor tonight? Im leaning UCONN.

 

Nothing good ever comes from rooting for Baylor. On their message board, it's about 50/50 split on those who are happy that Texas won last night; some are happy for the conference's perception; some are unhappy stating that Vic doesn't need any more help recruiting elite players.

 

I’m with you on this one although it would be good for our conference if Baylor wins. It’s hard for me to root for them mainly because of their arrogance.....

 

I just love me some Craig Way:

 

Easy for me: UCONN
I’m usually a big ol Big XII homer but never when it comes to Baptist U. Their fans are insufferable as it is and don’t get me started on their coach. With UCONN it’s like a boil that’s already been lanced. Prefer not to have a new one

 

I will take Geno over the Sea Hag any day.

 

Baylor

If you have ever been to any UConn sporting event, their fans make Ohio State look like a church choir. Never have seen a more vile, foul-mouthed group. If you can find one that makes it through four plays without using the "C" word to an opposing female fan, have that person bronzed and make them a statue because they are likely the only one you will ever encounter.

Keep in mind that I really, really hate the obese, princes of polyester in Columbus.

 

Aside from the Baylor fans, the majority of fans (UConn, South Carolina, etc.) are more happy that Maryland is out versus Texas being the ones to knock them out. Most just don't like Brenda.

 

Game against Maryland will be replayed today on ESPNU at 3 PM Central.

 

Right there with you on this. I've rooted for them in 2005 and 2019 once they made it to the Final Four. Tonight I'll just watch and let the chips fall where they may.

But I can tell you the comments by some of their fans regarding our program and our past and current coaches makes me inclined to want them to lose.

Their latest thing is they think Vic was off base by saying we went toe-to-toe with them. I'm sorry, but given their superior talent, depth, experience, and long-tenured coaching staff against against our depleted roster and new staff... if there's a few minutes left and it's a two possession game then hell yeah that's toe-to-toe regardless of what the final score is. Aside from a few they're totally classless. They know what's coming though.

 

I think Baylor wins because of their experience.