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Texas Basketball: 5 takeaways post-South Dakota St NIT win

By Andrew Miller

AUSTIN, TEXAS - JANUARY 19: Kristian Doolittle #21 of the Oklahoma Sooners fights for the ball with Jericho Sims #20 and Elijah Mitrou-Long #55 of the Texas Longhorns during first half action at The Frank Erwin Center on January 19, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - JANUARY 19: Kristian Doolittle #21 of the Oklahoma Sooners fights for the ball with Jericho Sims #20 and Elijah Mitrou-Long #55 of the Texas Longhorns during first half action at The Frank Erwin Center on January 19, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – FEBRUARY 2: Dylan Osetkowski #21 of the Texas Longhorns takes a shot as Tyrese Haliburton #22 of the Iowa State Cyclones blocks in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on February 2, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – FEBRUARY 2: Dylan Osetkowski #21 of the Texas Longhorns takes a shot as Tyrese Haliburton #22 of the Iowa State Cyclones blocks in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on February 2, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

2. Dylan Osetkowski shouldering the load

We got to see the opportunity that was presented to senior center Dylan Osetkowski all season down low. Osetkowski has the skill set of a somewhat modern big at both the college and NBA level where he can defend and hold his own on both ends of the floor down low, but he can draw out and shoot from beyond 12-feet.

The versatile scoring ability of Osetkowski also came to the forefront in this March 19 NIT victory. South Dakota State could rarely come up with an answer for what Osetkowski was doing both in the paint and from three-point range. He posted a career-high 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field.

Really the only point of criticism for Osetkowski during this outing was his free-throw shooting. Texas basketball might’ve been able to seal the game much earlier if not for Osetkowski shooting just 50 percent from the line on eight attempts. He made up for that, though, by making four of his six three-point tries.

The huge runs that the Horns went on in the first and last five minutes of this game were spearheaded by Osetkowski. His offensive efforts also helped his team keep pace when it mattered most and when South Dakota State started to make runs around halftime. He also was able to post two rebounds, one assist, and two steals to go along with his 26 points.

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