Hook'em Headlines
Fansided

5 Most Important Returning Players for Texas Basketball

By Tyler Brett

Mar 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart yells in the second half against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart yells in the second half against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Nov 25, 2015; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Texas Longhorns guard Tevin Mack (0) reacts in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the 2015 Battle 4 Atlantis in the Imperial Arena at the Atlantis Resort.. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2015; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Texas Longhorns guard Tevin Mack (0) reacts in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the 2015 Battle 4 Atlantis in the Imperial Arena at the Atlantis Resort.. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Tevin Mack, a former VCU-commit, followed Smart to Texas last season and will be a building block for Smart’s up-tempo, attacking style. The 6-foot-7 wing player has the length and athleticism that are trademarks of a Smart-coached team.

Last season, Mack played a minor role on the team, averaging 13.3 minutes and 5.1 points per game. In the six games where Mack played more than 20 minutes, he flashed serious potential. He scored double digit points in four of those six games, including a 20-point performance against UConn. He has the ability to score in bunches if he can find some consistency.

This season, he should see an expanded role as Smart’s system settles in. He will be a key part of Texas’ sophomore trio, along with Eric Davis and Kerwin Roach, who will be pivotal to the Longhorns’ success in 2016-17. Having long, athletic wing players like Mack is going to be a staple of Texas basketball under Strong and this should be a breakout season for the sophomore.

Home/Texas Basketball