2 Texas players who deserve more playing time off the bench

Texas's frontcourt struggles have shown up in the four losses in SEC play in early-to-mid January to start the conference slate.

Nic Codie, Texas basketball
Nic Codie, Texas basketball | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
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Devon Pryor, Texas basketball
Devon Pryor, Texas basketball | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Devon Pryor, F

Terry and the Longhorns' staff have been very high on sophomore forward Devon Pryor this season. Pryor has a unique combination of size and athleticism that allows him to potentially earn a specific role in the rotation at the three or the four.

Pryor made his season debut after returning from a lower-body injury on Nov. 12 against Chicago State. He had a noticeable role with Texas's second and third units off the bench in the forward rotation in the latter portion of non-conference play. From mid-November to late-December, he averaged 15 minutes per game off the bench over six games played in the non-conference slate.

While it was late in the game in garbage time, Pryor did get the most minutes off the bench in the loss to Florida (7) than he's gotten in a game since mid-December. Pryor did give the Longhorns a spark on the offensive glass, with two offensive boards, in just seven minutes on the floor against the Gators in Gainesville.

Texas's issues switching on defense and rebounding the basketball consistently can be at least partially attributed to a lack of cohesion and communication. The Longhorns are also having trouble matching up against the longer and more physical bigs and driving guards and wings in the paint this season in conference play.

Getting more versatile and switchable forwards in the rotation getting minutes at the three and/or the four, like Codie and Pryor, could help the Longhorns get more athleticism and advantageous matchups on the defensive end of the floor.

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Schedule

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