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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 /
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Mar 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Eric Davis Jr. (10) shoots against the Northern Iowa Panthers in the first half 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 guard Eric Davis Jr. (10) shoots against the Northern Iowa Panthers in the first half during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Eric Davis is the only returning player on the Texas roster that averaged more than 20 minutes per game last season. He was a key contributor during his freshman season and will need to step up as a leader for the Horns in 2016-17.

Last year, Davis averaged 7.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game while playing 20.6 minutes per game. Davis has proven that he can score when he gets in a rhythm, posting double-digit points in 13 games last season. He was a key part of the win over North Carolina last season, scoring 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range.

With so many key contributors no longer with the team, there is a leadership void on the Texas roster this season. As the most experienced member of a talented sophomore trio, the mantle of leadership is likely to fall on Davis this season. How he handles that pressure could determine how far the Horns go in 2016-17.

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