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Texas Basketball: 3 reasons Kerwin Roach Jr. helps Horns win Big 12 Title

By Andrew Miller

(Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TX – MARCH 04: Matt Coleman III #2 of the Texas Longhorns over Brandone Francis #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of the game on March 4, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – MARCH 04: Matt Coleman III #2 of the Texas Longhorns over Brandone Francis #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of the game on March 4, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

2. Takes some pressure off Matt Coleman and Courtney Ramey

The back court for Texas basketball had a lot of weight on its shoulders the past few games to excel, especially in the absence of Roach Jr. and Hayes at times. Hayes didn’t do much for the Horns in the loss to Texas Tech and exited the game in the win over Iowa State due to concussion protocol after getting hit in the head with the ball.

Two huge x-factors for the Horns for the Big 12 and NCAA Tournament is the return of Roach Jr. and the play of true freshman point guard Courtney Ramey. Smart started to tool with a guard trio in the starting five which encompassed Coleman, Ramey, and Roach Jr. That was working out very well until Roach Jr. was suspended indefinitely.

With Roach Jr. coming back to the mix soon, he could be just what these guards need to get going again. Ramey is having a good stretch of games of late, averaging 20 points per 100 possessions, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.9 steals. His efficiency and two-way balance are also doing well of late as his defensive and offensive ratings both sit in the range of 104-105.

Keeping some of the intense pressure off Ramey’s shoulders as we are about to enter the Big 12 Tournament is important for this team to have some steady success. Ramey could surely become a standout reliable force for the Horns in the next few years, but he still has some work to do before he reaches that point.

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