What in the world is wrong with Texas?
The sophomore slump is supposed to be limited to players, so that begs this question: What in the world has happened in Shaka Smart's second year at Texas?
Smart's Longhorns sport a 7-9 record after they fell at home to TCU on Wednesday, giving the Horned Frogs their first win in Austin in 30 years. Texas is 1-3 in Big 12 play, and sits in danger of missing the NCAA tournament if it doesn't get its act together ASAP.
It's been a fall from grace for Smart and Texas this year, and a staggering one to say the least.
After a successful first season at the helm in 2015-16, in which Texas posted a 20-13 record and made strides in recruiting, the Longhorns lost their three top scorers to either graduation or the pros.
That would seem to be a logical place to start when examining what's gone wrong in 2016-17, yet Smart's crew is scoring only 0.9 points per game less this year than last.
As a matter of fact, Texas actually boasts a rather balanced offensive attack, led by 6-foot-4 Kerwin Roach, 6-foot-7, Tevin Mack, and 6-foot-11 Jarrett Allen.
Shaka Smart on being 7-9, his worst start ever: "It's a real test, a challenge, for everyone in our program, me included."
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) January 12, 2017
Roach shoots an adequate 36.7 percent from deep, while Mack is an even better 39.3 percent, and Allen is an effective force down low. Granted, the game comes down to more than three players, and none of Smart's other players are real shooting threats, but it's not like college basketball has ever been known for its surplus of sharpshooters.
There's the defense, which hasn't always been great this year but is still surrendering a respectable 67.3 points per game - in other words, good enough to win, especially when you're scoring over 70 per night.
Maybe it's the inexperience of Texas' top players that is hindering the program. Nine players average double digits in minutes per contest, and only two are seniors, while the other seven are freshmen or sophomores.
Maybe it's just a chemistry issue.
Shaka Smart: "I thought there was a level of frustration that came into play tonight." Roach, Mack were barking at each other afterward.
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) January 12, 2017
Whatever the problem is, Smart better figure it out, and fast. Texas' next three games are all against top-10 teams in Kansas, Baylor, and West Virginia. Unless a brilliant light goes off in Smart's head soon, it could be good morning, good afternoon, and goodnight on a disappointing second season for the former VCU coach in the Lone Star State.