Texas Basketball: 3 bold predictions in Maui Invitational final vs. UNC

1) Texas basketball bold predictions vs. UNC

Matt Coleman is able to limit Caleb Love on defense

The game of senior guard Matt Coleman has really rounded out nicely over the course of the last two years. Coleman did come out of the gates really hot last season, but remained a steady and versatile presence for the Longhorns down to the final game of the 2019-20 campaign. He’s doing well out of the gates this season too.

Coleman was huge for the Longhorns in the convincing 22-point victory over the Hoosiers in the second round of the Maui Invitational. He nearly posted a double-double, and had a team-high 16 points.

Through three games played this season for the Longhorns (all of which he’s started in), Coleman averaged 14.3 points per game, 2.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks. And he’s shot 50.0 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 87.5 percent from the free-throw line. His play on the defensive end of the floor so far this season is truly special.

Coleman registered a sparkling 87 defensive rating, 2.7 steal percentage, and 1.0 block percentage, so far this season.

The tough test for Coleman against the Tar Heels could be trying to shut down the former highly coveted five-star recruit and freshman UNC guard Caleb Love. Through three games played this season for the Tar Heels (all of which he started in), Love averaged 13.0 points per game, 2.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks. And he’s shot a not so impressive 31.6 percent from the field, 20.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 85.7 percent from the free-throw line.

With how well Coleman and the Longhorns defended against the Hoosiers yesterday afternoon, it should be expected that they can limit what Love does against them in the Championship Round of the Maui Invitational. This could be yet another huge defensive game for Coleman.