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

1) Texas basketball bold predictions vs. Nova

Brock Cunningham is the only Longhorn in double-digits for rebounds

One of the hardest working forwards in recent memory for the Longhorns is the sophomore former four-star recruit and the 6-foot-6 and 215 pound Austin, TX, native Brock Cunningham. Playing in all four games for the Longhorns so far this season, Cunningham provided a lot of value in the frontcourt rotation off the bench.

In those four games played that Cunningham played in this season (none of which he started in), he averaged 4.3 points per game, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and no blocks. And Cunningham shot 42.9 percent from the field, 40 percent from beyond the arc, and 50.0 percent from the free-throw line. He’s pretty efficient shooting from downtown so far this season.

The efficient 12 total rebounding percentage that Cunningham posted so far this season will be put to the test against a very talented and productive Villanova frontcourt rotation. The likes of Cunningham, sophomore breakthrough power forward Kai Jones, senior big man Royce Hamm, senior center Jericho Sims, etc. will have a true battle on their hands in the Big 12/Big East Battle this weekend.

There’s a very good chance that the Longhorns get a more efficient game on the boards out of Cunningham than anyone else. He tends to do well in situations like this, so if Smart trusts him with more playing time than usual he could do a lot in the rebounding department. He’s already averaging a whopping 9.1 rebounds per 40 minutes this season.