1. Look how far Texas has come.
Texas was a one-point underdog today at home against a team from the Villanova program that, while entirely NIT irrelevant for the last more-than-a-decade, people seem to like. They lost by four. That’s a big step up from last year. A very big step.
2. Courtney Ramey showed up.
Ramey was a bit quiet at times in Asheville, contributing but rarely taking control. Today, he was not quiet, especially down the stretch. It’s a reminder of the value of Texas’s depth, which is that it gives them a lot of options for who can step up.
3. Matt Coleman looked like he was going to take over.
Coleman’s blossoming looked like it was reaching a new level early in the game today (right around the time he threw down that dunk in traffic), and while he faded into the backdrop a bit, it was a reminder of just how good the guard can be. It’s tempting to think of him more as a facilitator than “the guy.” He can be “the guy.”
4. Andrew Jones is still trying to find his shot.
No concerns here. He found it last year. His day will come. And again, the depth helps, both by giving Texas other options in the meantime and keeping the pressure off.
5. Kai Jones continues to impress.
It wasn’t the best game from Jones, but he had some brilliant plays, especially when he turned down the three in the last minute, got to the basket with just one dribble, and got fouled in the process. The length displayed was eye-catching, but the decision-making is arguably the more exciting thing, especially for a sophomore.
6. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl was a handful.
Robinson-Earl is arguably the best single player Texas has faced so far, and it didn’t go great, with it feeling like he could get to the basket against just about anybody. It’ll be interesting to see if someone can establish himself as a stopper against those type of guys, because my guess is Texas would like to play late enough into March to encounter a lot of them. Against guards, it’s one thing. Big men who can move like that are another.
7. Has there ever been a more Villanova basketball player than Collin Gillespie?
From the Philly Catholic League itself. Keeping him quiet was evidence that overall, the defense was fine. Not a ton of open looks for Nova. And he wasn’t out that long with foul trouble—still played 33 minutes.
8. It’s not a bad loss.
Texas wasn’t going undefeated. Nobody was arguing Texas was the best team in the country. They’re in a pack up there behind Gonzaga and Baylor, and Villanova’s in that pack too, and Texas held their own with Villanova today while making their fair share of mistakes. Onward.
