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For the second year in a row, UConn is lined up to play Texas, albeit, like Baylor last game, with nearly a brand new roster. In fact, Texas returns no starters from last year and only three rotation players – Kadin Shedrick, Chendall Weaver and Ze'Rik Onyema – from last year’s squad.
That being said, the DNA of Texas remains the same with head coach Rodney Terry’s priority of targeting versatile defensive players who can switch and guard multiple positions. Also, Terry likes the aggressive defense to set up their transition offense while he has also noted his high marks of the team’s two-way IQ.
Analytically speaking, Terry’s Longhorn teams typically roster efficient shooters, but the team is not reliant on the perimeter (in each of his three seasons, Texas has never ranked above 250th nationally in 3PA/FGA ratios). Overall, they limit mistakes, typically shoot well from the charity stripe, but usually lack players that generate offense off-the-dribble and regularly get to the line. On both sides of the floor, Texas generally does not rebound well, but their defense is quite versatile. They force teams to use a lot of clock, prevent three-point attempts and are also tough interiorly on defense. Texas also boasts a rare defense that both generates all types of turnovers while also maintaining a strong defensive effective FG% rate (21st in the nation).
Averaging nearly 21 points-per-game, freshman guard Tre Johnson has quickly become Texas’ offensive star. A consensus five-star recruit, the 6’6 Johnson boasts a 6’10 wingspan and is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous scorers in the nation thanks to his willingness to score from anywhere and his world class work ethic and obsession with basketball. He’s a high-volume, high-efficiency three-level scorer who has scored 16 or more points in every game this season. So far, his defensive metrics look good too as EvanMiya.com ranks him as the team’s second most efficient defender.
UConn is familiar with Kansas State via Creighton transfer Arthur Kaluma, who joined the Longhorns for his senior year after testing the NBA waters this past offseason. One reason that helped lure Kaluma to Texas was the comparison the staff made of Timmy Allen and the way they wanted Kaluma to play in Austin: an experienced, versatile frontcourt weapon that can showcase his wide-range of abilities. Currently ranked as Texas’ third most efficient defender, Kaluma is currently off to his most efficient start on offense, which makes him even more dangerous as a three-level scorer who can create off the bounce.
Missing the first four of games with an ankle injury, Arkansas transfer Tramon Mark is slowly working his way to full strength after finishing last season averaging 16 points-per-game at Arkansas. Prior to his one year at Arkansas’, Mark spent three seasons at Houston, developing into a versatile defensive big guard that can capably guard one-through-four. At Arkansas’ Mark was Eric Musselman’s go-to scorer and is most potent at mid-range, but finished last season with a career high 36 3P%. A lefty with a 6’8 wingspan, Mark has the length and bounce to score in a variety of ways. Mark’s scoring potency has yet to percolate, but Johnson, Mark and Kaluma make up the three-pronged scoring attack for Texas.
Mark’s return has overall reshaped the backcourt rotation, but Oregon State transfer Jordan Pope remains the team’s starting point guard. Starting every game in his career, Oregon State was a disaster, but Pope brought toughness, deft passing, ball control and strong three-point shooting. Overall, Pope’s a complete guard on offense, even though he won’t be counted on as a high-usage guard at Texas. Not yet a strong defender, Pope’s overall aggressiveness will endear him to Terry and it wouldn’t surprise if Pope’s defense improves throughout the season.
Off-the-bench Julian Larry is spending his fifth-year at Texas following an impressive four-year stint at Indian State. One of the most efficient guards in the nation over the last two years, Larry’s a big combo guard who can play the 1- or the 2- and his role at Texas is best defined as a 3-and-D ball-handler who can score in bunches, but can also contribute in a variety of ways in a low-usage role. Larry’s teammate at Indiana State, Jayson Kent, has missed the last four games with a wrist injury and if he is able to return, the fifth-year 6’8 senior finished last season with the third best offensive rating in the nation thanks to his exceptional all-around shooting. Kent is also a fantastic rebounder on both ends.
Returning to his bench guard role is Chendall Weaver, a high-energy off-ball guard whose best attribute is slashing and getting to the bucket. An excellent positional rebounder, Weaver is best described as an offensive glue guy and he’s working on his three-point shot and defensive awareness to round out his play.
Texas’ center rotation of fifth-year seniors Kadin Shedrick and Ze'Rik Onyema returns as both players have battled various injury issues across the last twelve months. The team’s most versatile defender, Shedrick is a mobile 6’11 forward who is still waiting to show his skill even though most of his game on offense revolves around the low-post, even though strength and aggressiveness has not been a consistent strength of Shedrick’s. With a seven-foot wingspan, Shedrick is one of the best shot blockers in the nation and he is able to be a low post presence without generating a lot of fouls. With Shedrick able to stay on the floor, Onyema’s minutes have been minimal, but when he’s in the game, Onyema brings energy, physicality and a high motor on both ends.
If Kent isn’t ready to return from injury, expect Terry to run a tight eight-man rotation that doesn’t include a ton of wrinkles. There will be a rotation of two bigs, Kaluma will play nearly every minute at the 4 (Kent will backup if healthy) and the five guards will fill in the three guard positions. One caveat: since Trevon Mark’s return, Terry has played with four-guard lineups with Mark at the 4, so if Kent is out, there’s a chance we can see that lineup if Kaluma needs to be out for a short spell.
Texas’ offense does not revolve around a traditional point guard, so this allows some defensive matchup creativity for Hurley and his staff. Solo Ball continues to be a weak point on defense, making him the perfect fit to guard when Jordan Pope or Julian Larry at point. It will be interesting to see how Johnson and Mark are matched up, and it would make sense for Hassan Diarra to shadow one of these two, most likely Johnson. If Alex Karaban is back at the 4, then Liam McNeeley at the 3 will guard Mark, with Karaban on Kaluma.
Overall, Texas’ analytics do not look strong, but they are a team balancing injury issues, so with their defensive foundation and offensive potential, Texas has the goods to improve once conference play starts.
That being said, the DNA of Texas remains the same with head coach Rodney Terry’s priority of targeting versatile defensive players who can switch and guard multiple positions. Also, Terry likes the aggressive defense to set up their transition offense while he has also noted his high marks of the team’s two-way IQ.
Analytically speaking, Terry’s Longhorn teams typically roster efficient shooters, but the team is not reliant on the perimeter (in each of his three seasons, Texas has never ranked above 250th nationally in 3PA/FGA ratios). Overall, they limit mistakes, typically shoot well from the charity stripe, but usually lack players that generate offense off-the-dribble and regularly get to the line. On both sides of the floor, Texas generally does not rebound well, but their defense is quite versatile. They force teams to use a lot of clock, prevent three-point attempts and are also tough interiorly on defense. Texas also boasts a rare defense that both generates all types of turnovers while also maintaining a strong defensive effective FG% rate (21st in the nation).
Averaging nearly 21 points-per-game, freshman guard Tre Johnson has quickly become Texas’ offensive star. A consensus five-star recruit, the 6’6 Johnson boasts a 6’10 wingspan and is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous scorers in the nation thanks to his willingness to score from anywhere and his world class work ethic and obsession with basketball. He’s a high-volume, high-efficiency three-level scorer who has scored 16 or more points in every game this season. So far, his defensive metrics look good too as EvanMiya.com ranks him as the team’s second most efficient defender.
UConn is familiar with Kansas State via Creighton transfer Arthur Kaluma, who joined the Longhorns for his senior year after testing the NBA waters this past offseason. One reason that helped lure Kaluma to Texas was the comparison the staff made of Timmy Allen and the way they wanted Kaluma to play in Austin: an experienced, versatile frontcourt weapon that can showcase his wide-range of abilities. Currently ranked as Texas’ third most efficient defender, Kaluma is currently off to his most efficient start on offense, which makes him even more dangerous as a three-level scorer who can create off the bounce.
Missing the first four of games with an ankle injury, Arkansas transfer Tramon Mark is slowly working his way to full strength after finishing last season averaging 16 points-per-game at Arkansas. Prior to his one year at Arkansas’, Mark spent three seasons at Houston, developing into a versatile defensive big guard that can capably guard one-through-four. At Arkansas’ Mark was Eric Musselman’s go-to scorer and is most potent at mid-range, but finished last season with a career high 36 3P%. A lefty with a 6’8 wingspan, Mark has the length and bounce to score in a variety of ways. Mark’s scoring potency has yet to percolate, but Johnson, Mark and Kaluma make up the three-pronged scoring attack for Texas.
Mark’s return has overall reshaped the backcourt rotation, but Oregon State transfer Jordan Pope remains the team’s starting point guard. Starting every game in his career, Oregon State was a disaster, but Pope brought toughness, deft passing, ball control and strong three-point shooting. Overall, Pope’s a complete guard on offense, even though he won’t be counted on as a high-usage guard at Texas. Not yet a strong defender, Pope’s overall aggressiveness will endear him to Terry and it wouldn’t surprise if Pope’s defense improves throughout the season.
Off-the-bench Julian Larry is spending his fifth-year at Texas following an impressive four-year stint at Indian State. One of the most efficient guards in the nation over the last two years, Larry’s a big combo guard who can play the 1- or the 2- and his role at Texas is best defined as a 3-and-D ball-handler who can score in bunches, but can also contribute in a variety of ways in a low-usage role. Larry’s teammate at Indiana State, Jayson Kent, has missed the last four games with a wrist injury and if he is able to return, the fifth-year 6’8 senior finished last season with the third best offensive rating in the nation thanks to his exceptional all-around shooting. Kent is also a fantastic rebounder on both ends.
Returning to his bench guard role is Chendall Weaver, a high-energy off-ball guard whose best attribute is slashing and getting to the bucket. An excellent positional rebounder, Weaver is best described as an offensive glue guy and he’s working on his three-point shot and defensive awareness to round out his play.
Texas’ center rotation of fifth-year seniors Kadin Shedrick and Ze'Rik Onyema returns as both players have battled various injury issues across the last twelve months. The team’s most versatile defender, Shedrick is a mobile 6’11 forward who is still waiting to show his skill even though most of his game on offense revolves around the low-post, even though strength and aggressiveness has not been a consistent strength of Shedrick’s. With a seven-foot wingspan, Shedrick is one of the best shot blockers in the nation and he is able to be a low post presence without generating a lot of fouls. With Shedrick able to stay on the floor, Onyema’s minutes have been minimal, but when he’s in the game, Onyema brings energy, physicality and a high motor on both ends.
If Kent isn’t ready to return from injury, expect Terry to run a tight eight-man rotation that doesn’t include a ton of wrinkles. There will be a rotation of two bigs, Kaluma will play nearly every minute at the 4 (Kent will backup if healthy) and the five guards will fill in the three guard positions. One caveat: since Trevon Mark’s return, Terry has played with four-guard lineups with Mark at the 4, so if Kent is out, there’s a chance we can see that lineup if Kaluma needs to be out for a short spell.
Texas’ offense does not revolve around a traditional point guard, so this allows some defensive matchup creativity for Hurley and his staff. Solo Ball continues to be a weak point on defense, making him the perfect fit to guard when Jordan Pope or Julian Larry at point. It will be interesting to see how Johnson and Mark are matched up, and it would make sense for Hassan Diarra to shadow one of these two, most likely Johnson. If Alex Karaban is back at the 4, then Liam McNeeley at the 3 will guard Mark, with Karaban on Kaluma.
Overall, Texas’ analytics do not look strong, but they are a team balancing injury issues, so with their defensive foundation and offensive potential, Texas has the goods to improve once conference play starts.
