The Longhorns are 16-7, with one bad loss, a loss at TCU. They split a pair with Washington in non-conference and own a win over UNC. They have a big week ahead of them, traveling to OU and ISU. A split this week would be huge.
They're 37th in AdjustedO and 30th in AdjustedD. They are a middle of the road team with an effective fg% of 50.3%. This is due in large part to a so-so 3-pt shooting mark. The best thing they do on offense is protect the ball. Their turnover % is only 15.9%, 36th. They are a slow tempo team, 317th in average possessions.
On defense, they hold opponents to an effective fg% of 45.2%, 24th overall. Opponents only shoot 43.1 from 2, 23rd best. Despite havoc, the turnover % is 19.1%, 134th. And the steal % is 7.9%, 241st overall. They get hammered on the defensive glass. Opponents rebound 32.6% of misses. That's 286th.
Big man Cameron Ridley has been out with a broken foot since December but the Longhorns have survived. Fellow big man, Prince Ibeh is 6th in the nation in block %. They also get solid minutes inside from senior Connor Lammert. The back court has junior Isaiah Taylor and senior Javan Felix, so the experience is there. Taylor is a solid ball handler and can get ton the FT line. Felix shoots 49% from deep.
Expectations were mild for Shaka in his first year at Austin. If they can incorporate Cameron Ridley back into the lineup this month, they could be an intriguing team next month. They are projected to go 3-5 over their final 8 games, so they'll probably slide down the seed line. Still, things have gone pretty good thus far as Texas basketball starts a new era.
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