The 3-point shot that determines the success of the Texas Longhorns this season has not been present.

As the 2024-2025 season of college basketball intensifies, the Texas Longhorns find themselves in the midst of a challenging yet crucial stretch. A season that began with high expectations and a roster brimming with talent now seems to hinge on one glaring issue: the absence of the 3-point shot. For the Texas Longhorns, this vital aspect of their offense has been surprisingly absent throughout the season, and its lack of presence is beginning to shape the trajectory of their year.

Under the leadership of head coach Rodney Terry, Texas has enjoyed success in various areas of the game. Known for their stingy defense, athleticism, and ability to control the tempo, the Longhorns have displayed a well-rounded skill set on both sides of the ball. However, as the season has progressed, it has become increasingly evident that one element of their offense — the long-range shooting — has not reached the levels required for them to truly compete for the top spots in the Big 12 and beyond.

This article will delve into the role of the 3-point shot for Texas, the reasons behind its struggles, the impact of this deficiency on the Longhorns’ overall performance, and what the team can do moving forward to get their shooting game back on track. The discussion will also include the potential implications for the team’s success in the NCAA Tournament, where shooting proficiency is often a determining factor for deep runs.

The Importance of the 3-Point Shot in Modern College Basketball

Before diving into the specifics of Texas’ issues with the 3-point shot, it is important to understand just how critical the long-range game has become in modern basketball. Over the past decade, the evolution of the 3-point shot has completely transformed how the game is played, particularly in college basketball.

The rise of perimeter shooting has been fueled by the success of NBA teams that emphasize spacing, ball movement, and long-range shooting as key elements of their offensive schemes. The same philosophy has trickled down to the college game, where teams that can shoot well from beyond the arc have a distinct advantage. The ability to stretch the floor with shooters forces opposing defenses to spread out, creating lanes for dribble penetration, inside scoring, and additional spacing for post players.

In the case of the Texas Longhorns, the importance of the 3-point shot becomes even more critical given their current roster makeup. Texas features several talented players who excel at getting to the basket and scoring in the paint. However, if opposing defenses do not respect the Longhorns’ outside shooting, they can crowd the paint and limit Texas’ offensive options.

As the season has gone on, it has become apparent that Texas has struggled to consistently knock down 3-pointers. This deficiency has allowed opponents to key in on the Longhorns’ interior play, challenging their ability to score in the half-court offense. Without the threat of the 3-point shot, the Texas offense has become one-dimensional, and this has contributed to some of their recent struggles.

Why Has the 3-Point Shot Been Absent for Texas?

Several factors have contributed to the absence of the 3-point shot for Texas this season. While it’s difficult to pinpoint just one reason, the following factors provide a clearer picture of the challenges the Longhorns have faced in the realm of long-range shooting.

1. Inconsistent Shooters

A primary factor in Texas’ struggles from beyond the arc has been the inconsistency of their shooters. While the team features several players who have the potential to be effective 3-point shooters, they have not been able to find consistent rhythm from long range.

Serj Sibley, one of the most promising perimeter players for Texas, has shown flashes of shooting brilliance, but his ability to sustain that performance throughout the course of the game has been a challenge. Similarly, Tyrese Hunter, a guard who has the skill set to shoot from distance, has had his ups and downs in terms of accuracy from beyond the arc. Although Hunter is a talented ball handler and scorer, his perimeter shooting has been hit-or-miss, which has limited his overall offensive impact at times.

The absence of a reliable 3-point shooter has forced the Longhorns to rely more heavily on their interior game. While this can be effective against certain opponents, it becomes problematic when facing teams that excel in defending the paint. The lack of consistent shooting from the perimeter prevents Texas from spacing the floor and forces the team to play in more congested situations.

2. Lack of Ball Movement and Spacing

Another issue that has hampered Texas’ 3-point shooting is a lack of fluid ball movement and spacing on offense. The Longhorns have occasionally struggled to move the ball around quickly enough to generate open 3-point looks. In today’s game, quick passing and effective off-ball movement are critical to creating open shooting opportunities. When the ball stagnates and players fail to move without it, defenses can close out on shooters more easily, making it difficult to get clean looks from deep.

Additionally, spacing is essential for creating open 3-point opportunities. Without proper spacing on the floor, defenders can cheat towards the paint, sag off shooters, and contest perimeter shots more effectively. Texas has sometimes failed to maintain the necessary spacing to maximize their shooting potential, resulting in contested shots or poorly timed attempts.

3. Defensive Focus on the Interior

One of the natural consequences of having a dominant inside game is that opposing defenses will adjust to take away those inside opportunities. Texas’ strength lies in its ability to dominate in the post and score in the paint. Dylan Disu, a versatile forward, has been a key component of the Longhorns’ inside game, both as a scorer and rebounder. When teams know Texas can score effectively in the paint, they will often collapse their defense around the basket, daring Texas to shoot from the outside.

This defensive strategy has worked for many of Texas’ opponents. By playing a tight defense on the interior and leaving Texas’ perimeter shooters open or contested, opponents have neutralized the Longhorns’ ability to score consistently. While Texas has talented shooters, the lack of spacing caused by their interior dominance has limited opportunities for clean 3-point shots.

4. Pressure and Mental Block

In some cases, the absence of the 3-point shot for Texas could be tied to the mental side of the game. Basketball is a highly emotional sport, and when shooters begin to miss shots early in the game or go through a prolonged shooting slump, it can create a mental block that affects their confidence. As the season progresses, players can begin to hesitate on open shots, second-guessing their ability to make the shot. This lack of confidence can snowball and lead to further struggles from beyond the arc.

It’s important to note that shooting is often a rhythm-based skill. If shooters are not getting consistent touches or shot attempts, it becomes more difficult for them to establish a rhythm and confidence. This could explain some of the inconsistencies in Texas’ 3-point shooting this season.

The Impact of the 3-Point Struggles on Texas’ Success

Texas’ inability to consistently hit the 3-point shot has undoubtedly affected the team’s success this season. The Longhorns have shown they can win games with their defense and interior play, but in the highly competitive environment of the Big 12 Conference, and especially in the NCAA Tournament, success often comes down to the ability to stretch the floor and score from all areas.

1. Predictable Offense

Without a consistent 3-point shooting threat, Texas’ offense becomes increasingly predictable. Teams can focus on stopping the Longhorns’ interior game and prevent them from getting easy baskets in the paint. When Texas struggles to knock down outside shots, it becomes easier for defenses to collapse around the paint, forcing Texas to either settle for contested shots or struggle to generate clean looks.

2. Pressure in Close Games

As the tournament approaches, tight games are inevitable. Close contests often come down to key moments, and the ability to knock down critical 3-pointers late in the game can make all the difference. If Texas enters the NCAA Tournament without a consistent long-range threat, they risk facing elimination in games where the opposition can make timely outside shots while Texas is unable to answer.

3. Stunted Development of Key Players

The lack of consistent 3-point shooting also stunts the development of players like Serj Sibley and Tyrese Hunter. When these players are not able to showcase their skills as outside shooters, their overall development and confidence can take a hit. In turn, this can affect their all-around game, as they may press to make up for their lack of shooting and become one-dimensional players.

What Texas Can Do Moving Forward

In order to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and fulfill the high expectations set for this season, Texas must address their struggles from beyond the arc. Several strategies can help them regain their shooting touch and increase the threat of their perimeter game.

1. Better Ball Movement and Spacing

Texas needs to improve its ball movement to generate cleaner 3-point looks. Quick passing, effective screens, and better spacing on the floor will help get shooters open. When the ball moves faster and players create separation, defenders have a harder time closing out on shooters, making it easier to knock down perimeter shots.

2. Increased Confidence for Shooters

The team needs to focus on building confidence for their shooters, especially players like Sibley and Hunter. Regularly getting these players open looks, allowing them to get into a rhythm, and encouraging them to take shots without hesitation will be crucial in boosting their shooting percentage. As shooters gain confidence, their ability to hit shots under pressure will improve.

3. Diversified Offensive Attack

Finally, while the interior game is important, Texas must find a way to balance their offensive attack. They must not only rely on inside scoring but also incorporate more perimeter shooting into their strategy. By diversifying their offense, Texas can prevent defenses from keying in solely on the paint and create more opportunities to stretch the floor.