Hook'em Headlines
Fansided

Texas Basketball: What to watch for against Eastern Illinois

By Shane Black

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns reacts as his team is defeated by the Texas-Arlington Mavericks 72-61at the Frank Erwin Center on November 29, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns reacts as his team is defeated by the Texas-Arlington Mavericks 72-61at the Frank Erwin Center on November 29, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Matt Coleman #2 of the Texas Longhorns shoots a floater against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Matt Coleman #2 of the Texas Longhorns shoots a floater against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3. Other key contributors to watch

Two other returners who are expected to take a jump with their outside scoring are sophomore guards Matt Coleman and Jase Febres.

Coleman, a true point guard, took about three three-pointers a game last season, connecting at a 28.6 percent clip. His shot is very flat and relies all on confidence. When he makes one he could make five, but a few misses usually leads to many misses.

Last season, Coleman had 18 games where he failed to connect on a three, but seven games when he made at least two, including a four-of-five showing from downtown in the Texas basketball NCAA Tournament game. The starting point guard should be an improved shooter this season, but Coleman has many more important duties than knocking down the three ball.

Febres was highly recruited out of high school because of his ability to knock down the three. ESPN Recruiting called him a “supreme shooter”, however, last season Febres shot just 30 percent from downtown.

He is in for a big jump this season. His shooting form is pure and he has a quick release. Febres just struggled with confidence issues. Texas basketball fans saw his potential in games against Baylor and Ole Miss. And we expect Febres to string together more performances like that this season.

Finally, what about the freshman?

The five-man class Smart brought in does not have any highly touted shooters that will be knock down guys right away, but there is potential.

Forwards Kamaka Hepa and Brock Cunningham are two of the most capable shooters in this class. Neither can create their own shot, but when left open they strike at a consistent basis.

Courtney Ramey and Gerald Liddell are both long, athletic playmakers that make their bread and butter near the rim. Both have the potential to grow into capable shooters, but expect that jump to come with time.

Center Jaxson Hayes will likely find himself on the bench if he attempts a three.

All in all, this Texas basketball team won’t blow anybody away with their three-point shooting ability, but they should be able to do enough to make other teams respect the arc. The team as a whole should improve from last year, and we will get our first real look tonight.

Home/Texas Basketball