Texas Basketball: 3 bold predictions in bounce back game vs. Texas St

3) Texas basketball bold predictions vs. Texas St

Mason Harrell doubles up Texas State’s next highest point total

Since Texas State has just one player averaging in double figures scoring this season, Smart and the Longhorns should have a clear preparation strategy in mind. Texas State runs most of their offense through their standout junior 5-foot-9 and 145 pound Midwest City, OK, native point guard Mason Harrell.

There won’t be too many guards that the Longhorns face under 5-foot-10 this season that are as quick as Harrell off the dribble. But Texas also clearly has the length and one-on-one defenders to take care of business against Harrell on the perimeter, if they’re prepared well. Texas does have a lot of solid perimeter and wing defending depth in their rotation this season.

Moreover, Harrell has started in all four games he’s played in for the Bobcats so far this season. He’s averaged 14.5 points per game, 2.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks. And Harrell shot a solid 50.0 percent from the field, 60.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 88.9 percent from the free-throw line. Facing a player like Harrell that has a 60.1 true shooting percentage and 56.8 effective field goal percentage won’t be easy to defend by any means.

Texas will still have to put some focus into defending other Texas State guards/wings like senior Shelby Adams and junior Caleb Asberry. But doing the best they can to limit the scoring potential of Harrell (who’s played in more than 32 minutes per game this season) is the main task at hand.

If they don’t defend Harrell too well, it would be easy to see him at least double Texas State’s next best scorer in this game and post at least 20-25 points.