Texas Basketball: Position grades through first half of non-conference slate

(Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 16: Dylan Osetkowski #21 of the Texas Longhorns shoots the ball against Zane Najdawi #35, Connor Kern #12, Kaelon Harris #23 and Matt Frierson #3 of the Citadel Bulldogs at the Frank Erwin Center on November 16, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 16: Dylan Osetkowski #21 of the Texas Longhorns shoots the ball against Zane Najdawi #35, Connor Kern #12, Kaelon Harris #23 and Matt Frierson #3 of the Citadel Bulldogs at the Frank Erwin Center on November 16, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

Power Forwards

This might be the deepest position on the roster for Texas basketball. Power forward has about three or four capable players for the Horns to turn too. This is spot where the Horns can thrive against teams that run smaller lineups. It just runs into trouble when it faces bigger lineups like that of Michigan State or the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Another factor that influences the power forward grade for the Horns is the separation or roles in the starting five. There’s a few players that were recruited to the Forty Acres as power forwards or forwards/centers, but start at the five this season. Texas has a few players like that, and a few that stick strictly at the four.

Senior forward Dylan Osetkowski is the leader at the position, and in the front court in general, for the Horns. Osetkowski will help pass the torch to some of the younger forwards that could excel for two or three years after his departure. Freshman Kamaka Hepa sticks out as the potential replacement for Osetkowski next season. Both played well this season.

Osetkowski is second on the team in scoring, and leads the way in rebounds. He averages 12.3 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks. Osetkowski is just one of three players scoring in double figures per game for the Horns. He’s also just one of two players averaging a double-double per 40 minutes on the team.

Grade: B