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5 Biggest Areas Texas Has To Improve Next Season

By James Caldwell

Mar 1, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart discusses a play with forward Mareik Isom (14) during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. Texas Tech defeated Texas 67-57. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart discusses a play with forward Mareik Isom (14) during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. Texas Tech defeated Texas 67-57. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Andrew Jones (1) and forward Jarrett Allen (31) pressure UAB Blazers guard Deion Lavender (5) during the first half at the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns won 96-60. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Andrew Jones (1) and forward Jarrett Allen (31) pressure UAB Blazers guard Deion Lavender (5) during the first half at the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns won 96-60. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

(4) How About Some Steals?

We’re not asking Texas Basketball to be like West Virginia or even Shaka Smart’s former “Havoc” teams at VCU. But, Texas’ guards need to make life easier by taking away the ball more often next season.

Texas ranked #8 out of 10 conference teams in steals, averaging 5.76 thefts per game. Only Texas Tech and Baylor stole the ball less often.

The Longhorns need to develop a takeaway mentality in the off-season, mixing their press with some quick hands on the perimeter when guarding in the half-court. This would make life a lot easier for a Texas team that struggled to put the ball in the basket this season.

It would also force opposing teams to respect Texas, like the conference respects playing West Virginia.

When you see WVU on the schedule, your antenna goes up because you know it’s going to be a 40-minute grind. That should be the same reaction other teams have when they play Shaka Smart’s team. A commitment to steals and causing turnovers should be a big part of the off-season program.

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