Thoughts on Saturday's 77-61 loss to Kent State:
-This is a game UT needs to be more competitive in. You're at home, coming off a nice road win at Miami, facing a Kent State team that's just so-so right now. Snatching a win is a lot to ask, but you have to be competitive. The Rockets weren't competitive, and their body language was lousy in the second half.
-Sometimes stats lie, but not tonight. If you weren't at the game, didn't watch it online, or didn't read this blog post, you'd have a clear understanding of what went wrong. UT's starting backcourt went 0-for-16 from the field and turned the ball over 12 times. Coach Kowalczyk said Dominique Buckley (0-for-7, four turnovers) played his worst game of the season. He was kinder to Juice Brown, suggesting most of Brown's nine misses from the field came off of decent looks. Brown is struggling with confidence right now, Kowalczyk said, which is common for a freshman facing good competition every night. There's no more Texas Pan-Americans or Chciago States on the schedule.
-Other stats that paint a clear picture: UT missed 15 of 16 3-pointers and turned the ball over 19 times - the most since 20 in the season opener against Texas State. Six of UT's turnovers came on consecutive possessions - yes, six turnovers on consecutive possessions - in the second half. Brown had three of them.
-On the bright side, Rian Pearson tallied 22 points to notch his seventh 20-point game of the season. Pearson had zero turnovers, which frankly surprises me. Could've sworn seeing him lose the ball at least once.
-No time to sulk, which Kowalczyk accused his team of doing in the second half tonight, because a trip to East-leading Akron comes Wednesday.
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