They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and this also seems to apply to lost leads. Texas’ 12th place lost its 19-point lead in the second half at home in an impressive collapse on Saturday, dropping 84-82 to 13th West Virginia.
The collapse of the Longhorns was spurred at least in part by internal conflicts after Texas stars Courtney Ramey and Andrew Jones, the top scorers, clashed during the game. The two engaged in a tense verbal exchange with 15:52 to go and had to be separated. Texas was defeated by 34-18 from then on.
Ramey scored 28 points, the best of his career, despite the rivalry, 15 of which occurred in the second half. Jones scored nine points from 16 shots. But it was clear before and after the rivalry that Texas was a different team. It completely collapsed at the seams along the stretch and seemed totally out of control when West Virginia ran a race to take advantage of it.
The Mountaineers, a No. 3 seed in Jerry Palm’s most recent Bracketology, overcame Texas 41-29 in the second half after a hit by Sean McNeil. McNeil, a junior whose calling card this season has been one of the most flammable pitchers in the game, was goalless in the first half before making 16 in the last 20 minutes.
And so the problems continue for Texas, a # 4 seed in Bracketology. After his 10-day hiatus at COVID last month, it’s now 2-4 in the league game. He’s been very close to reversing the script – aside from a 14 point loss to runner-up Baylor, his other three wins are by 11 points combined – but he continues to miss opportunities to build his strong resume early in the season.
For West Virginia, however, it is a bit of revenge after falling to Texas at the last meeting in a last-second shot by the Horns. Texas had a chance to hit the bell to send it to OT, but Jericho Sims’ chance on the rim failed and a potential lack it was considered a play-on.