No. 13 Texas defeated the Liberty Flames 75-57 on Sunday. However, the game was not as lopsided as the score may indicate. The Longhorns required a strong second-half performance that allowed them to win by 18.
Struggles both offensively and defensively, were the glaring focal points throughout the game. The Longhorns did well in both rebound categories and their defensive pressure was apparent all game long. Furthermore, the individual performances by Rori Harmon and Amina Muhammad were the highlights for head coach Vic Schaefer.
At the end of the first quarter, the Longhorns only scored 12 points and Harmon accounted for eight of them. Longhorns other than Harmon struggled to make baskets early on.
Schaefer believes some of these offensive struggles come from who is shooting the basketball and how.
“My disappointment is we got kids that don’t have the green light to be shooting the ball at certain spots on the floor and they’re doing it so I’ve got to address that,” Schaefer said.
Freshman forward Madison Booker came to Texas as one of the top recruits in the nation. Yet Texas has some fantastic veteran players on the court, so her role is still uncertain.
Booker looked a little confused and ran into teammates on a couple of plays. However, she showed flashes of an elite scorer who can create her own shot, as well as pulling up and shooting from deep. Booker understands that as the season progresses, she will gain confidence in the system.
“Honestly, I’m still trying to find my place on the team,” Booker said. “I have two great scoring guards.”
Harmon finished with 14 points and five assists while also being tied as the highest scorer on the team. Along with her offensive output, Harmon also recorded three steals.
“I told Rori at halftime, ‘Just go take over the game,’” Schaefer said. “Go create for your teammates. We need to stop being so passive.”
Muhammad was the other Longhorn with 14 points and has begun to emerge as another option when Harmon gets defensive pressure. Muhammad tied her previous season high already and can become a focal point in the offense. Her recent play has caught the eye of coach Schaefer.
“One kid Amina (went) five for nine, four for four at the line,” Schaefer said. “Five offensive rebounds. She probably needs to be in here as much as anybody in the pressroom.”
The Longhorns have a quick turnaround as they host UT-Arlington on Tuesday night.
