LSU 76 Texas 58

[Cory]

Still can not win on the road. It was a good game for about 28 minutes. The defense needs to play all 40 of them. Next game is in the friendly confines of the Erwin Center.

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[elfdenmom]

Bummer! I was hoping that Texas could beat LSU, although I realize that it is a lot tougher on the road than at home.

[zip]

I do believe we could have beaten them pretty easily at home - but you have to win away from home and we have not proven as yet, that we can win the tough ones on the road. With conference play just around the bend, we will have to get that corrected - PRONTO!!

[YCN]

Why are the Horns such a mystery this year?

Bad road losses and good home wins. I don't care, home or away, beating the Vols is an eye-opener. So what's up with Texas?

BTW, UT beat UT at their place last year.

[zip]

The Horns are a pretty young team and sometimes it takes time for a young team to find their road legs. They played so much better today (for 3/4 of the game) than they did at NM or BYU. Also, they got into foul trouble and they are missing 2 guards - a starter (Carey) and a 1st off the bench (Sare). Several times today they had 2 freshmen and 2 sophmores together on the court. I think they will be fine - I think they have the talent to get the kinks worked out and I also think the young'uns grew up some today.

[carolann]

Well, I was at the game in Baton Rouge and I still can't explain entirely what happened. I haven't yet read or heard the coaching staffs' comments.

A lot seemed to happen very quickly. Here is how I saw it. (1)LSU kicked into another gear. (2) Suddenly, the Horns were losing every call. A Longhorn player was picking up a foul on every defensive possession. LSU was picking up no fouls. (3) LSU got MORE pumped up. (4) Heather picked up a 4th foul. Kala also had three fouls. (4) The Longhorns lost their composure. They looked disheartened. With too many starters out at the same time, the offense stalled. (5) LSU smelled blood and went in for the kill. (6)Towards the end of the game, the Horns looked physically tired. Their shots were not even close.

To me there were a few minutes in the second half that were clearly the turning point. If the Horns had been able to weather that few minutes, the game might have at least been closer. Certainly it might have helped to have Jamie Carey and/or Alisha Sare to hit some perimeter shots, and maybe more importantly, provide some stability on the floor during the crisis patch. Tai Dillard played well and tried to keep the offense working but her shots weren't falling.

I don't think the Longhorn depth is looking as good right now as we might have hoped preseason particularly with Carey and Sare out. The Longhorn style of play is not really suited to a very small rotation. I am still expecting the Longhorns to perform very well in conference.

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[Press]

Carolann,

What's the status of Carey's return?

I'm also surprised that Hastings doesn't play a bigger role considering the way she played as a frosh. I really thought by now she would be a real force inside helping out Stephens.

Also, Mercedes Williams, I always thought she had a great upside, just not consistant on the offensive end.

I saw Tiffany Jackson play a couple games this weekend at the Sandra Meadows Classic and she certainly will help out (next year) in the paint. She was very effective when she posted up, but she was on the wing a lot and you could tell that's where she wanted to play.

[zip]

Hastings is good on defense, but she tends to foul and she has not yet found her offensive game this year. She's a great rebounder and shot blocker and a good defender but she is foul-prone and just cannot seem to find her offense. Perhaps that is why she didn't contribute more on Sat. I think Williams must be in the doghouse a bit right now, not sure why - because she has not played much at all lately. She is weak on offense but she is quick and does add another dimension.

[carolann]

Press,

Jamie Carey is still listed as 'week to week' as far as I know.

I, and I think other Longhorns fans, would have exactly the same comment about Annissa Hastings. Last year, her defensive intensity and rebounding help was enough. At the beginning of this year, even her defense and rebounding were not as strong. Fortunately, she has picked up that part of her game. Unfortunately, Texas needs another inside scoring threat and so far Annissa has not been that threat. She rarely even attempts a shot. About Mercedes Williams, I don't know that she is 'in the doghouse'. I think it is more likely that the coaches just don't think she is ready for prime time - prime time being teams such as LSU and Tennessee. Her lack of playing time started with the game just prior to Tennssee. I suspect Conradt wanted to use that game to set her rotation for the Vols. I think Conradt will continue to try to find playing time for Mercedes. As far as offense, most of Mercedes' baskets this year have been either uncontested layups, putbacks on offensive rebounds, or free throws. Mercedes can be a scoring help if she can become a consistent free throw shooter. Her athleticism helps her get to the line.

[zip]

texassports.com says that Jamie is expected to start practicing next week - probably pending a final medical checkout.

As far as Mercedes in the doghouse, what I meant is that game playing time is pretty much set by hustle and intensity in practice - if a player doesn't give all in practice, they usually don't get much playing time. Anyway, her lack of playing time also could very well be, as Carolann said, Jody just wanting more experienced players on the court against top teams.