Longhorns aiming to get back on the winning track
AUSTIN — An interloper wandered across the burnt orange background canvas about 90 seconds into Matt Coleman’s Zoom session with reporters. Then a stone-faced Courtney Ramey threw one hand down Coleman’s shoulder and squeezed tight for a few seconds before both broke into laughter.
It was a moment of levity between Texas’ two leaders, both of whom cherish the Longhorns’ brotherhood as much as they do winning. And after two straight losses, the veteran backcourt mates are eager to share smiles again following a win.
“I made a statement before the game two days ago, ‘When things are going well just don’t get too high, when things are going low don’t get too low,’ ” Coleman said. “Just stay consistent, stay patient and just stay trusting in what we do.
“But I think that’s been big throughout the whole year for us. Just handling any adversity, whatever comes our way, and just being able to handle it, find a way to get over it and just keep moving forward.”
No. 6 Texas (11-4, 5-3 Big 12) was sitting at 11-2 overall following a short-handed 82-67 win over Kansas State back on Jan. 16. But the Longhorns have been ravaged by a COVID-19 outbreak in the weeks since, playing only two of five scheduled games.
Numerous players have been forced to miss significant time while in quarantine. Coach Shaka Smart suffered from “significant” symptoms during a recent bout with the coronavirus and was finally able return to the team’s practice facility last Sunday following a trying isolation period away from both the team and his family.
“I wouldn’t say we lost any rhythm. I do think it’s different,” Coleman said. “When you’re hit with adversity, like guys with COVID and missing your head coach, that does play a factor in in your team.
“But now I just think it’s like, OK, it happened, let’s accept it and let’s get better, let’s move forward. Now, as we’re whole again, or whatever you want to say, it’s just time to take advantage of everyone that we have in this locker room.”
Losing to then-No. 24 Oklahoma (now No. 9) by one point with just eight scholarship players was tough. Ramey, who missed that game because of COVID-19 protocols, said he almost “broke my TV a couple times,” watching in isolation as Texas’ furious comeback bid fell short.
Crumbling in the second half of an 83-69 loss to No. 2 Baylor (17-0, 9-0) stung. It also likely secured a Big 12 regular-season title for a Bears team with national championship aspirations.
But Texas had gone almost three weeks without being able to hold a full practice or scrimmage before hosting Baylor. The Longhorns slashed their deficit to five points with 11 minutes left in the game before the Bears exerted their will and punctuated the talent gap between the programs.
So for Texas, this weekend trip to Stillwater, Okla., is the epitome of a get-right game. The Longhorns should have a full roster heading into Saturday’s game against the Cowboys (11-5, 4-5), a team they beat 77-74 on Dec. 20.
That game featured an explosive duel between two freshman one-anddone prospects: Texas high-flyer Greg Brown and crafty point forward Cade Cunningham. Brown dropped a career-high 14 points and snatched 14 rebounds (five offensive) in the win, overwhelming the Cowboys with his athleticism and shot-making. Cunningham went off for 25 points and almost willed Oklahoma State back from a double-digit deficit.
“Cade was really aggressive in the second half,” Coleman said. “His aggression increases and he gets to the line. But I think it’s just it’s a team game, it’s a team performance. We’re going to guard him with all five. We need to trust our principles.”
When at full strength, and with consistent practice time, Texas has performed like one of the nation’s top teams. But the Longhorns weren’t going to avoid the pitfalls of playing amid a pandemic forever.
And that’s why the familial bond this team has forged during the past few years is more vital than ever. It has allowed Texas to remain connected even when players and coaches are stuck in isolation and the facility is eerily silent.
“At the end of the day it’s about staying connected around one goal and just continuing to preach it day in and day out,” Coleman said. “You’re still staying connected and still having confidence in one another because there’s a lot of games to be played.”