Texas Basketball: 2 players that have achieved greatness this season

2) Texas basketball players reaching great heights

Matt Coleman, Guard

Now I do want to iterate that before I get deeper into the weeds as to why these two standout Longhorns players are reaching new heights this season, that I don’t automatically think they’re all-time greats within the program. At least they haven’t reached that level of consideration as of yet. Hopefully they will come Big 12 Tournament and NCAA Tournament time later this month.

The first player up on this list is one of the most consistent and reliable guards in the past few decades for the Longhorns, versatile standout senior guard Matt Coleman. The one-time All-Big 12 Team selection is looking to get his second nod with those honors among the top guards in the conference this year.

Coleman has consistently improved his game across the board in each of his four years playing on the Forty Acres. And while he made a habit in each of the last three years playing his best basketball out of the gates, he’s stayed more consistent the entire way this time around. More than half of all of his counting stats, shooting percentages, and advanced metrics are on pace to reach career highs this season.

The steady production of Coleman this season has led him to averaged 12.8 points per game (top three on the team), 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.1 blocks. He’s shot 48.5 percent from the field, 37.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 80.6 percent from the free-throw line.

That has led Coleman to register a career-best and stellar box plus/minus rating of 7.3, .170 win shares per 40 minutes, 3.2 total win shares, 120 offensive rating/100 defensive rating, 60.4 true shooting percentage, and a 18.1 player efficiency rating.