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Texas (4-0)
#25 in KenPomLast year’s stat highlights (lots of yin yang):
- Top-15 in both Off. and Def. efficiency
- 36th in 2P% (54.0%) and 71st in opp. 2P% (47.9%)
- 39th in A/FGM (56.7%) and 72nd in opp. A/FGM (46.5%)
- 58th in Turnover prevention and 21st in Turnovers caused
- 60th in offensive tempo
- 267th in 3PA/FGA (34.5%)
- ~200th nationally in both OR% and DR%
- ~200th nationally in both Off. & Def. free throw rate
This year’s stat highlights:
- 9th in D1 experience
- Top-35 in both offensive and defensive efficiency
- 13th in offensive tempo
- 16th in effective field goal percentage (59.3%)
- 57th in A/FGM (59.2%)
- 216th in turnover caused % (18.9%)
- 39th in opp. 3P% (25.7%)
- 46th in opp. 2P% (42.8%)
- 53rd in opp. 3PA/FGA (30.6%)
- 65th and 66th in block and steal rate
- 260thish in both opp. FT rate (39.7) and A/FGM (54.7%)
- 268th in average height (6’4.6)
Season so far:
- 88-56 W over Incarnate Word (353 KP)
- 86-59 W over Delaware St. (331 KP)
- 80-64 W over Rice (183 KP)
- 81-80 W over Louisville (143 KP)
POSSIBLE STARTERS (stats do not include Louisville game):
Versatile, Improving All-Around Guard - Tyrese Hunter 6’0 175 junior
- 14.0p, 4.3a, 1.0s, 54.2 FG%, 46.2 3P%, 4.0 FTA
Versatile Offensive Weapon with Unlimited Range - Max Abmas 6’0 175 grad (Oral Roberts transfer)
- 14.7p, 4.0a, 3.0 3PM, 50 3P%
Elite shooter with two-way versatility - Ithiel Horton 6’5 200 grad (UCF transfer)
- 14.7p, 2.3a, 3.0 3PM, 60 3P%, 1.7s
OR
Three-and-D, all-around Glue Guy - Brock Cunningham 6’7 205 grad
- 7.3p, 4.3r, 3.0a, 2.3s, 1.0b, 1.3 3PM, 57.1 3P%
Raw, gifted athlete with defensive versatility - Dillon Mitchell 6’8 205 sophomore
- 9.3p, 10.0r, 3.3a, 1.3s, 1.7b, 70.6 FG%, 2 3PA
Rim-running big - Kadin Shedrick 6’11 231 senior (Virginia transfer)
- 10.0pm 4.0r, 1.0b, 77.8 FG%, 1 3PA
OR
Long, athletic big - Ze’Rik Onyema 6’8 230 SR (UTEP transfer)
- 7.0p, 5.0r, 1.3b, 57.1 FG%, 0 3PA
BENCH DEPTH: 8-11 mpg
Efficient all-around combo guard - Chendall Weaver 6’3 180 sophomore (UTA transfer)
- 10.3 mpg, stats from UT-Arlington last year: 9.5p, 4.6r, 2.0a, 40.2 3p% (WAC freshman of the year)
KEY INJURIES
- Dylan Disu 6’9 225 5Y SR (foot), 8.8p, 4.4r, 1.3b, 31.3 3P% last season
Considering that head coach Rodney Terry has started seven different players in just four games, it’s clear that the veteran head coach is still learning how to best utilize his new mostly eight-man rotation that features five transfers.
It’s Terry’s first full year at the helm at Texas after stepping in for Chris Beard after his firing in January. Previously coaching at Fresno State and UTEP, Terry-led teams are typically well-balanced, moderately paced teams that defend well and limit mistakes on offense, so Texas’ pace this season hints at how Terry has adjusted to his athletes and smaller-than-average high-major roster.
Especially with stretch 6’9 forward Dylan Disu still on the mend with a foot injury, Texas is a small, athletic and quick team that dabbles with small ball.
The nexus of Texas’ offense revolves around their backcourt trio of Tyrese Hunter, Max Abmas and Ithiel Horton.
Hunter and Abmas are both undersized combo guards who are equally comfortable scoring and setting up teammates. Last season, Hunter made a ton of strides in his sophomore year by limiting turnovers and prioritizing the smart play over the highlight play. A strong defender for his size, Hunter’s next step will be his consistency with his three-point shot, which has improved after finishing his freshman year with a 27.4 3P%.
No shocker that Max Abmas hit tonight’s game-winning shot. The Oral Roberts transfer is a fearless, walking bucket who can hit logo threes. With limitless creativity on offense, Abmas is easily Texas’ least intimidating defender.
The acquisition of former Delaware, Pittsburgh and UCF transfer Ithiel Horton was an essential pickup to help improve Texas’ mostly dormant perimeter game from last year. With over 200 made threes in his career (38.1%), Horton’s bread and butter is perimeter shooting, but the 6’5 guard is a decent defender, has good vision and makes good passes. A very good shooting guard.
Capable of playing all three backcourt positions, sophomore UTA transfer Chendall Weaver is a calming, efficient and versatile offensive guard whose game plays much older than his age. He’s not known for his defense, so don’t expect both Weaver and Abmas to share the floor often.
On the other hand, Texas’ frontcourt has solid pieces, but lacks the cohesion of their backcourt.
Fifth-year returnee Brock Cunningham is probably the best all-around forward. Similar to Indiana’s Trey Galloway, the 6’7 fifth-year Longhorn is a tough, savvy three-and-D glue guy who hustles, rebounds, dishes and stays calm in crunch time.
Fresh off a career night against Louisville (27 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals), Virginia transfer Kaden Shedrick was never able to fully spread his wings in Tony Bennett’s system, where he was used sparingly as a rim-running big with the potential to score in bunches. With his ability to generate fouls and convert from the line, expect Shedrick to have a career season.
Few possess more pure athleticism than Dillon Mitchell. The 6’8 205 lefty plays mostly at the 5, but plays sparingly as a small-ball center where Terry revs up the pace by utilizing Mitchell in the open court. A gifted defender, Mitchell has yet to develop a consistent offensive game outside of an above-the-rim game, but it’s easy to see why NBA scouts salivate at his potential.
Previously coached by Terry at UTEP, Ze’Rik Onyema is a hard-working, undersized lefty who plays a simple offensive game and has the ability to guard all three frontcourt positions.
With Disu out, whenever Mitchell plays the 4, Texas' rotations feature two non-shooters, which is super rare for teams as highly touted as Texas.
