Texas Basketball: 3 players set to breakout under new coaching staff

New Texas basketball head coach Chris Beard started to build up a lot of hype for this program in Austin almost right after he was hired back on April 1. The former Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Beard was hired to replace former Texas head coach Shaka Smart after he bolted from Austin back on March 26.

Smart left the Longhorns to become the next head coach with the Marquette Golden Eagles in his home state of Wisconsin. He left Austin before Texas athletic director Chris del Conte was able to give an announcement publicly on the job status of Smart following a very disappointing early exit in March Madness in a Round of 64 loss to the 14-seed Abilene Christian Wildcats.

However, there is still a lot for the Longhorns to build off of heading into next season. Texas will have a largely new-look roster during the 2021-22 campaign, but that was bound to happen with a complete change in coaching regime after a weird season during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chris Beard ready to take Texas basketball to new heights in the Big 12

Beard comes into a situation where the Longhorns are the reigning Big 12 Tournament crown holder. They knocked off the Oklahoma State Cowboys and superstar point guard Cade Cunningham to get the Big 12 Tournament crown last season. But that momentum was completely decimated when Texas lost to ACU in the Round of 64 in the Big Dance.

Texas has a lot to improve upon still heading into next season, and the hope for the future is bright on the Forty Acres. Here’s a look into three Longhorns players that could breakout under the new Texas coaching staff this coming season.