Texas Basketball: 3 bold predictions in season opener vs. UTRGV

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GCU’s Damari Milstead (11) defends Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Javon Levi (14) during the first half at Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on February 7, 2019.636851751955834147–Z6I5211.JPG /

1) Texas basketball bold predictions vs. UTRGV

Javon Levi draws UTRGV within single digits in the second half

The best player on this UTRGV Vaqueros team this season looks to be the 5-foot-11 and 175 pound Kileen, TX, native and senior guard Javon Levi. The two-time WAC Defensive Player of the Year, 2019-20 All-WAC Team selection, and two-time All-WAC Defensive Team selection is primed to have a huge senior campaign this season.

With two of UTRGV’s leading scorers from last season off the team since they ran out of eligibility, this should be Levi’s group to lead now. Last season, he was solid for UTRGV playing in 25 games (all of which he started in). He averaged 11.5 points per game, 3.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 2.4 steals. And he shot 38.9 percent from the field, 39.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 70.8 percent from the free-throw line.

Levi is one of the better on-ball defenders for his size that Texas will face in the non-conference schedule this season. If the Longhorns manage to sleep on what Levi brings to the table, it could be a rough day for the likes of Coleman and Ramey. Levi still has yet to face the Longhorns in his career to date, but the good news is that he has struggled in the past against better Big 12 competition.

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If Texas continues that trend that they’ve got going under Smart’s direction where they can’t put away opponents that they should be early, then Vaqueros players like Levi and sophomore guard/wing Quinton Johnson II can keep this team hanging around late. Don’t expect this to be a complete cake walk for the Longhorns no matter what.

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