Texas Basketball: What’s next for Longhorns after stunning ACU loss

What happens to the upperclassmen ahead of next season?

There’s a number of fourth-year players for the Longhorns that did not get their due ending to their college careers if they are in fact done playing for this Texas hoops program. Two of the focal points surrounding the conversation of those who could leave the Forty Acres following this season includes senior versatile standout guard Matt Coleman and senior big man Jericho Sims.

It looked like Sims was on an island at times in the loss to ACU since he posted his fourth double-double in the last five games. In the loss in the Round of 64 alone, Sims registered 10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three blocks. And he didn’t miss on any of his three free-throw attempts, or on any of his four tries from the charity stripe.

The loss to ACU could be the final game that Sims played in a Texas uniform. But he can come back for one more year due to the NCAA extension of eligibility for athletes playing during the 2020-21 academic year.

The same could be said for the Virginia native Coleman, as he was in the midst of his senior campaign. He could be done playing for Texas, but he does have the opportunity to come back for next season. A lot likely depends on what happens with Smart and his coaching staff this coming offseason as it pertains to whether Coleman will return for one more year. The bond between Smart and Coleman is very tight.

There’s others like senior shooting guard/wing Jase Febres and Jones that are fourth year players that are worth watching as to whether they will return next season. This was a very experienced rotation that Smart had on his hands this season.