Austin, Texas ? Knocking off Kansas University, Texas guard Brandon Mouton stressed, was not Priority No. 1 Monday night.
“It’s not a goal of ours to beat Kansas,” said Mouton, who led the Longhorns to an 87-62 victory with 23 points. “Our goal is to win championships.”
That said, Mouton hedged. He is one of four seniors who never had defeated Kansas while wearing a Texas uniform.
“But we hadn’t beaten Kansas,” the UT guard continued, “and for the seniors it was a great feeling.”
Second the motion, said James Thomas, another senior, who contributed nine points and six rebounds.
“We haven’t beaten Kansas since we’ve been here, and we wanted to do that,” Thomas said.
Although already moved and seconded, senior guard Royal Ivey continued discussion on the motion.
“It was our last chance against Kansas,” Ivey said. “Two years ago, we lost to them in overtime, and last year we lost a heartbreaker up there. Our gameplan was to play harder than them for 40 minutes.”
Coach Rick Barnes has been using 11 players all season and wearing foes down because he really doesn’t have one or two go-to players.
Monday was no different. The Longhorns came at the Jayhawks in waves.
“That’s what we talked about,” Barnes said. “We’ve had some great games against Kansas, but we couldn’t get over the hump, so that was great to get that done.”
Playing in front of the largest crowd of the season — 16,103 — the Longhorns didn’t shoot particularly well from the field (43.1 percent). But the 23-point performance from Mouton, who scored 10 more than his average, provided the lift the ‘Horns needed.
“I think Brandon is one of the most underrated players in the country,” Ivey said. “He’s had his ups and downs, but he’s playing great now, and we’re feeding off of him.”
Inside players Thomas, P.J. Tucker, Jason Klotz, Brad Buckman and Brian Boddicker combined for 37 points and 25 rebounds.
“We just pound on people,” Ivey said. “On any given night, any of our post men can get a double-double.”
Freshman Tucker was the closest at 11 points and eight boards, but it didn’t matter. UT’s bench outscored KU’s reserves, 28-2.
Lopsided loss for the ages
6Sports video: Texas takes care of KU
Hear Bill: KU-Texas postgame comments
See the photos: KU-Texas photo gallery