Texas Longhorns
Big 12 (20-12, 11-7)
It took Texas some time to get used to Coach Shaka Smart’s style of play. They lost early matchups against Washington, Texas A&M and Michigan and were only able to beat teams from the smaller conferences. That was until they beat North Carolina 84-82. But soon after big man Cameron Ridley went down with an injury. In his first 11 games of the season, Ridley averaged 12.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.4 blocks. He should return for the NCAA Tournament, but has only played two minutes during the last game of the conference tournament since suffering a foot injury during practice on December 27th.
Big Wins: 12/12 North Carolina (84-82), 1/20 at West Virginia (56-49), 2/27 Oklahoma (76-63)
Bad Losses: 11/13 vs Washington (71-77), 11/27 vs Michigan (72-78), 1/9 at TCU (57-58)
Coach: Shaka Smart
Why They Can Surprise:
The backcourt, most notably Isaiah Taylor and Javan Felix, have stepped up their scoring in Ridley’s absence and have been great leaders during Texas’ tough run through the Big 12. Taylor leads the team with 14.8 points and 4.9 assists. He is not a threat to shoot much at all from long range, but Taylor attacks the basket and makes things happen on offense. He is the player who can take anybody off of the dribble and create offense even when it looks like there is nothing to be created. Felix is the Longhorns most dangerous outside shooter, but the backcourt also includes a couple freshmen in Eric Davis and Tevin Mack who can both hit shots from outside. Felix though is a more dynamic player. The 5-11 senior is a quality ballhandler and, despite his small size, is not afraid to mix it up in the paint.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Connor Lammert has done a solid job in the frontcourt. He is at least a smart player and pretty tough on the glass too. However, he is not an interior scorer and that is what this team lacks when Ridley is on the sidelines. Lammert is a capable scorer, but he is a stretch four who can extend the defense by knocking down three-pointers. Prince Ibeh has been asked to do a lot more. And he has had some big games. Normally just a shot blocker and defender, Ibeh has shown the ability to have big scoring games and help Lammert out on the glass. The lanky 6-10, 240 pound senior has not been consistent, even once he started getting consistent minutes, but he is a presence in the paint. However, the team as a whole struggles in the rebounding department and they don’t force turnovers like a typical Shaka Smart coached team…yet.
Probable Starters:
Javan Felix, Senior, Guard, 10.6 ppg, 2.2 apg
Isaiah Taylor, Junior, Guard, 14.8 ppg, 4.9 apg
Kendal Yancy, Junior, Guard, 3.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg
Connor Lammert, Senior, Forward, 7.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg
Prince Ibeh, Senior, Center, 4.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Shaquille Cleare, Junior, Forward, 3.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Eric Davis, Freshman, Guard, 7.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg
Demarcus Holland, Senior, Guard, 2.9 ppg
Tevin Mack, Freshman, Forward, 5.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg
Cameron Ridley, Senior, Center, 11.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 3.0 bpg
Kerwin Roach, Freshman, Guard, 7.6 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.7 (207th in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.8 (81, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.3 (209, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.8 (92, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.0 (165, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.0 (210, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.9 (278, 8)
Rebound Margin: -0.9 (223, 8)
Assists Per Game: 11.3 (304, 10)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.4 (18, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2015 NCAA Second Round loss to Butler
2014 NCAA Second Round win over Arizona State
2014 NCAA Third Round loss to Michigan
2013 CBI First Round loss to Houston
2012 NCAA Second Round loss to Cincinnati
2011 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Arizona
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Oakland
2010 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Wake Forest
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Minnesota
2009 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Duke
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Austin Peay
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Miami
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Stanford
2008 NCAA Regional Final loss to Memphis
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over New Mexico
2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to USC
*all team stats through 3/6
