Texas vs. Grambling State preview: Make the big man defend
The Longhorns close their opening homestand against a Tigers team with a scoring threat Texas cannot simply crowd out of the paint.
Texas and Grambling State are set to face off in an upcoming basketball game. The No. 7 Texas Longhorns have been dominating their first two games, while Grambling State has a 1-0 record after a narrow 89-87 win over Northern Illinois. Texas center Matas Vokietaitis, who scored 16 points and collected seven rebounds against Gardner-Webb, will be tasked with guarding Grambling's 7'2 forward Isaiah Miranda, who recently showed his defensive capabilities.
Grambling State brought a formidable offense, scoring 64 percent from the field and outscoring their opponent 48-28 in the paint. Miranda made plays both inside and out, scoring 29 points, including four three-pointers. However, Texas has the size, athleticism, and depth to control the game. The Longhorns should focus on making Miranda work on defense, as leaving him alone outside the lane does little to help their size advantage.
Sean Miller's guards will need to find ways to keep Miranda outside the lane and limit his effectiveness. Texas can make this assignment less comfortable by putting Miranda to work on defense. While guarding Miranda, Texas's perimeter defenders, led by Dwayne Pierce, need to pressure Pierce and prevent him from comfortably drawing a second defender.
Texas's defense has shown improvement, forcing 23 turnovers and collecting 13 steals in their recent game. With seven Longhorns scoring in double figures and high shooting percentages, they should be able to keep the ball moving and limit Grambling's scoring opportunities. The key will be turning pressure into finished possessions, using the team's size and quickness to create turnovers and limit the Tigers' offensive production.
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