Going into Tuesday night, Texas was riding a four-game winning streak and were just on the edge of being projected into the NCAA Tournament. Traveling to Norman to face arch-rival Oklahoma gave the Longhorns a chance to jump into the field with a win.
Thanks to Matt Coleman’s heroic three-point shot with 0.4 seconds left, Texas pulled out a 52-51 win, extending the winning streak to five games. Coleman was the only Longhorn in double figures, having 21 points on 9-15 shooting, including 3-5 from behind the line.
Matt. Coleman. Onions and sharpies and #ThisIsMarch and all of it.
— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) March 4, 2020
Outside of Coleman, the rest of the Texas team struggled offensively, with Andrew Jones being second in scoring. As a whole, the Longhorns shot 28.6% from behind the arc. Only six assists were recorded by Shaka Smart’s team, their lowest total since the Feb 3 matchup against Kansas.
Defensively, Texas was amazing, holding Oklahoma to its lowest total of the season. The Sooners really struggle from deep, going 2-20 from three-point land. Guards Austin Reaves and De’Vion Harmon were the only two Oklahoma players to see the ball go through the hoop from behind the arc.
As he has been all season, Kristian Doolittle was the one bright spot for the Sooners. The senior forward recorded his ninth double-double of the season, scoring 20 points while securing 10 rebounds.
Texas’ free throw numbers continued to struggle, as they only attempted two all night. Only because of an Austin Reaves flagrant one foul did the Longhorns get to the free-throw line, with both shots being hit by Andrew Jones.
Catching fire in the past five games, the Longhorns now have the opportunity to finish third in the Big 12, the highest under Shaka Smart. If Texas takes care of business at home against Oklahoma State and Texas Tech loses to Kansas in Lubbock, the Longhorns will go into the Big 12 tournament with the three seed.
Texas will face the Cowboys on Saturday at 3 p.m. CST on ESPN2.
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