Despite a tough loss, Texas showed improved defense and physicality against UConn. But Key shooting and free-throw struggles persist as they move towards SEC play.
Missed opportunities late in the game saw Texas drop its fourth game of the season in a 71-63 loss to No. 5 UConn.
It hasn't been an ideal start to the season for the Longhorns, but Friday night's game showed that the team is making some progress. Here are four takeaways from their close defeat.
Finally, Some Defense.
Texas head coach Sean Miller has been trying to nail his defensive principles into his squad for weeks now. The first half was more of the same, allowing the Huskies to score 43 points on 68% shooting.
However, Texas started to hold its own in the second half, holding UConn to just 28 points on 43% shooting, and forcing nine turnovers. The Longhorns' defense kept them in the game, and that's not something anyone would've expected.
If they can continue that momentum into SEC play, they'll be competitive.
READ MORE: Another Missed Opportunity: Longhorns Collapse Late in Painful Loss to No. 5 UConn
Texas' Physicality
Some would describe past Texas teams as soft, and it would be hard to argue with them. You can't say the same about this team.
The Longhorns were able to hang with a really tough and physical Huskies squad for 40 minutes, and they out-muscled them for most of the contest. Texas out-rebounded UConn 31-29, including a 13-7 advantage on the offensive glass.
The Longhorns also made their presence felt in the paint, getting to the free-throw line 28 times, compared to the Huskies' 13. The next step for Texas is to improve its consistency in finishing layups and paint shots.
Shooting, Shooting, Shooting.
The Longhorns finished the game shooting 38% from the field, while UConn sported a 55% field-goal percentage. That's ultimately where Texas lost this game.
Against its other top-five opponent in Duke, earlier this season, the Longhorns had a similar issue, shooting an abysmal 32% from the field.
Some of that can be credited to great defense from the Huskies and Blue Devils, but a lot of it also comes down to Texas missing shots it needs to be making. That has to improve if the Longhorns want to beat some of the top dogs in the SEC.
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Free Throw Shooting
Texas is getting to the charity stripe at an elite rate this season, but that won't matter unless it can convert those chances. The Longhorns went 19-28 from the line in a game they lost by eight.
Texas now ranks tied for 182nd in college basketball with a free-throw percentage of just under 72%.
Free throws often decide games, and their struggles at the line are a big reason why the Longhorns have four losses this early into the season.