Three Thoughts on Texas’ 66-60 Win Over TCU to Reach the Big 12 Tournament Finals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Texas Longhorns and TCU Horned Frogs took the court for a spot in the Big 12 Tournament Championship Game. The Longhorns last won the Big 12 Tournament in 2021, which was also the only time they’ve won it, in front of a limited-capacity crowd driven by the pandemic. Meantime, TCU was looking to reach the Big 12 Tournament Championship Game for the first time in program history.
In the end, it was the Texas Longhorns who ended up holding on to win this game with a 66-60 victory on Friday night in the second of two Big 12 Tournament semifinal games.
Here are three thoughts on the game.
Texas in the Paint
The Longhorns couldn’t buy a bucket from deep, but they didn’t need to in this game. Despite going just 2-14 from three-point range, Texas dominated in the paint. In the first half, Texas scored 28 of its 34 points in the paint, along with five second-chance points. Dylan Disu continued his strong play down the stretch, finishing in double figures scoring for the fourth time in the past five games. He had 12 points by halftime, and finished the game with 15. For the game, Texas had 42 points in the paint, 20 more than the Horned Frogs. And while TCU was sharp from deep, hitting 8-19 three-pointers, they only shot 36% from the field.
Turnover Tally
The Longhorns have made a living winning the turnover battle and they did exactly that on Friday night to reach the Big 12 Tournament finals. The Longhorns led the Big 12 in conference play with a turnover margin of +3.33, a full turnover ahead of the No. 2 team in the Big 12 in Iowa State at +2.17. TCU was one of only two other teams who averaged in the positive on the season, but it was UT who got the best in this one, finishing with only 10 turnovers to TCU’s 14, led by 11 steals, good for a +4 margin, just above their season average.
All Chalk (But Not Rock)
We’ve got all chalk for the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship Game as the No. 1 seed Kansas and the No. 2 Longhorns will meet on Saturday night at T-Mobile Center. As chaotic and unpredictable a season as the Big 12 has been, to get No. 1 vs. No. 2 feels strange, but also feels right. If you were going to find two teams who were the most consistent and separated themselves the most throughout the season, especially in the second half of the season, it would be Kansas and Texas.
You have to go back to 2016 for the last time the No. 1 and the No. 2 seed played for a Big 12 Tournament Title, when Kansas beat West Virginia 81-71. Saturday night should be a great game to wrap up an outstanding week in Kansas City.
