The University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane dominated the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners in a lopsided contest, ultimately prevailing 100-74. The margin of 26 points paints a clear picture of the disparity between the two teams. The Golden Hurricane's NET ranking of #55 proved to be a significant advantage over the Roadrunners' #342 NET ranking.
The outcome was all but sealed in the first half, as the Golden Hurricane held a commanding 53-37 lead at the break. The Roadrunners were unable to mount a significant comeback in the second half, as the Golden Hurricane maintained a comfortable 47-37 advantage. The final score of 100-74 served as a testament to the Golden Hurricane's superior depth and overall team performance.
A 29-point, 10-rebound performance from David Green set the tone for Tulsa, as he shot 69% from the field and 75% from three-point range. His 27 points, combined with Ade Popoola's 26, formed a formidable one-two punch that UTSA struggled to contain. Popoola, meanwhile, was a force in the paint, grabbing 10 rebounds to complement his scoring and shooting 47% from the field.
The freshman standout Tylen Riley played a key supporting role, erupting for 13 points while dishing out a team-high 6 assists. Riley's ability to find open teammates and capitalize on scoring opportunities helped Tulsa maintain a high level of efficiency throughout the game.
19 points on 7-15 shooting from Jamir Simpson wasn't enough to keep UTSA in it, but his effort was a testament to the team's overall struggles. Simpson's ability to score in the paint and from beyond the arc was a bright spot, but the offense as a whole couldn't capitalize on his production.
Despite the loss, Dorian Hayes showed flashes of brilliance, finishing with 19 points on 7-11 shooting, including 4-7 from three. His shooting percentage was impressive, but it wasn't enough to compensate for the team's defensive lapses. Daniel Akitoby's 10 points on 4-6 shooting were a modest contribution, but he struggled to make an impact in other areas of the game.
A 6-point night from Wright, 12 below his season average, highlighted Tulsa's defensive effort. Tulsa's usual prolific scorer, Barnstable, shot just 33.3% from the field, a stark contrast to his season average of 50% from the field, as he struggled with his outside shot, going 1-for-6 from three-point range.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
While the pre-game prediction held up to scrutiny, it's clear that Tulsa's performance was not a significant departure from expectations. However, the magnitude of the win was largely in line with the forecast, with Tulsa ultimately prevailing by a margin of 26 points, as predicted.
A closer examination of the game reveals that Tulsa's dominance can be attributed to two key factors. Firstly, the Golden Hurricane's ability to convert from beyond the arc proved to be a significant advantage, with their 3-point percentage more than 8 percentage points higher than their season average. This allowed them to maintain a strong pace and build a sizable lead. Secondly, Tulsa's control of the glass was a crucial aspect of their success, with their rebounding rate more than 16 percentage points higher than UTSA's, which limited the Roadrunners' opportunities for second-chance points and allowed Tulsa to dictate the tempo of the game.
The outcome of this game has significant implications for both teams' postseason aspirations. For Tulsa, the victory maintains their position on the NCAA Tournament bubble, but it does little to alleviate the pressure of needing a strong close to the season to secure an at-large bid. With a Quad 1 loss now on their ledger, the Golden Hurricane will need to continue racking up quality wins in their remaining games to improve their NET ranking and potentially secure a favorable seeding. On the other hand, UTSA's loss solidifies their status as a long shot to earn an NCAA Tournament bid, with their only path to the Big Dance now through the American Athletic Conference tournament. The Roadrunners will need to win the conference tournament to secure an automatic bid, and this setback only adds to their uphill climb. Tulsa's Quad 1 loss will likely be viewed as a significant setback by NCAA Tournament selection committees, potentially dropping them from the bubble.