Quick Reaction: Texas Handles California In 2K Classic Final, 71-55

Mandatory Credit: Jim O

The Texas Longhorns beat the California Golden Bears on Friday night, 71-55. With the win, they were crowned champions of the 2K Classic for the first time in the school’s history.

Here’s a quick reaction to what went on in those 40 minutes.

Myles Turner is an intriguing prospect

Stats: 5 points, 2-8 FG, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Turner looked lethargic and lost against Iowa in the 2K Classic semifinals, but he was a completely different player in the finals.

Turner didn’t shoot particularly well against California but he was a lot more aggressive on both ends of the court. In the first half, he scored four points on 2-for-8 shooting from the floor. All but one of his field goal attempts were jump shots.

Although Turner is rather awkward getting up and down the court, he’s very fluid in the low post. California played man-to-man rather than zone, so Texas looked to exploit that by feeding Turner the ball on the block time and time again in the first half. While he didn’t convert his looks at a high rate, none of them were forced — they were shots you’d usually expect him to make.

With Turner not hitting his shots, Texas ran some sets where he popped to the top of the three-point line instead of posting up later in the half. Whenever he caught the ball, he faced up to the basket and immediately looked for an open man. Both of his assists came on crisp passes to Jonathan Holmes.

It’s easy to see why scouts are high on Turner’s potential. While he’s sometimes clunky moving around the court, he’s able to cover a lot of ground and he has great shot blocking instincts. He’s a smart defender, too. He doesn’t bite on shot fakes and uses his long arms to contest easy looks around the basket. On offense, he’s capable of stretching the floor and he’s got the raw skills to develop a good back to the basket game.

The Longhorns will miss Isaiah Taylor

Taylor took a hard fall on his wrist in the Longhorns’ win over Iowa on Thursday, and he is now expected to miss several weeks. Jovan Felix replaced Taylor in the starting lineup on Friday. While he played well, Texas missed Taylor’s poise and ability to create shots in the half court.

The Longhorns shot only 34.4 percent at the half, largely the result of them rushing shots and not being patient in their sets. While it didn’t matter on this particular night — they won handily in the end — they won’t be able to get away with it against the likes of Connecticut and Kentucky in the coming weeks.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Longhorns adjust.

Jonathan Holmes is off to an All-American-like start

Stats: 21 points, 6-11 FG, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist

Holmes saved the Longhorns on Thursday and carried them in Isaiah Taylor’s absence on Friday. In the semifinals and finals, he combined for gaudy totals of 40 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and two blocks on 13-for-23 shooting.

Holmes was the main reason Texas walked home with the title. He knocked down big shots, tussled with big men for rebounds, got out on the fast break for easy baskets, and made some key defensive stops. That’s what All-Americans do.