Texas Basketball: 3 bold predictions for Big 12/Big East Battle vs. Villanova

3) Texas basketball bold predictions vs. Nova

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl goes off for 25 points

The three most productive players for Villanova so far this season are the star sophomore forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, senior point guard Collin Gillespie, and junior shooting guard Caleb Daniels. There are quite a few former four and five-star recruits that line this Villanova roster that Smart and the Longhorns can’t overlook either, but those are the main three to watch in this game.

Daniels is off to a solid start this season for Nova, starting in all four games he’s played in. The former Tulane Green Wave transfer is averaging 14.0 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 steals, and no blocks. And he’s shot an impressive 56.8 percent from the field, 47.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line.

Don’t be surprised if Daniels goes off for at least 15-20 points for Nova against the stout Longhorns defense.

But the player that most eyes will fall onto in this matchup on the Nova side will be the 6-foot-9 and 235 pound Overland Park, KS, native and NBA Draft prospect Robinson-Earl. In four games played this season, Robinson-Earl is averaging 15.5 points per game, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks. And he’s shot 51.0 percent from the field, 20.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 80.0 percent from the free-throw line.

Moreover, Robinson-Earl will be a load to deal with for the Longhorns on both ends of the floor. He’s a real double-double threat as he hits the glass just as efficiently as he can score down low. Robinson-Earl already has one double-double on the season so far, and another game with a season-high 28 points. He’ll be a force to be reckoned with for Texas’ frontcourt rotation in this game.