Texas Basketball: 3 bold predictions in Maui Invitational vs. Indiana

2) Texas basketball bold predictions vs. IU

Trayce Jackson-Davis shines while Aljami Durham is shut down

On the topic of the solid on-ball defense that the Longhorns are getting out of Coleman early in this regular season, it could really bode well for this team against Indiana. The most proven commodity that Indiana has in terms of potent offense in their backcourt rotation is the constantly improving 6-foot-4 and 185 pound senior guard Aljami Durham.

It doesn’t take a genius to see the year-over-year improvement in production and efficiency from Durham. Through the first two games of the season with the Hoosiers (both of which he started in), Durham averaged a career-best 14.0 points per game, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 0.5 steals. And he shot 55.6 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line.

Where Texas can shut down Durham is by not letting him get open shots from deep, forcing him to the free-throw line when need be, and containing his play in transition. Durham doesn’t turn the ball over much (3.5-1 assist-to-turnover ratio this season) and he’s a good secondary ball handler and rebounder. Given his skill set, this is a guard that Smart coached teams have shut down in the past. There’s reason to believe they can do it again.

One player that seems like he could give the Longhorns fits is the star sophomore 6-foot-9 and 245 pound forward Trayce Jackson-Davis. In two games played this season, Jackson-Davis averaged 19.0 points per game, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks. Jackson-Davis might be the biggest load for the likes of senior big man Jericho Sims to deal with in this game.