Texas Basketball: Tre Mitchell advanced analytical deep dive

Wrapping it up and what to expect next season?

One notable evolution in Mitchell’s game over the course of the last two seasons is the fact that UMass tended to use him in a more versatile role last season than they did two years ago. Mitchell was utilized more as a stretch five during his true freshman campaign, where he took nearly 27 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. He also shot roughly 50 percent more deep two-point field goals as a freshman than as a sophomore.

Mitchell still had a rather high three-point attempt rate for a big man last season, around 25, but he is effective from beyond the arc. Why not give Mitchell more looks from downtown if he is hitting them at a clip just shy of 38 percent?

But what transpired out of Mitchell becoming more of a threat from inside the paint was a skyrocketing free-throw attempt rate. Mitchell’s free-throw attempt rate nearly doubled last season, which had a lot to do with the spike in his overall offensive efficiency.

Expect Beard to utilize Mitchell as more of a stretch-five, that can still work in the paint, during his first year at Texas. It would be foolish for Texas not to capitalize on how much Mitchell was able to get to the charity stripe last season.

As a whole, Mitchell had his name littered all over the A-10’s conference leaderboards last season. He led the A-10 in player efficiency rating, win shares per 40 minutes, and ranked second in box plus/minus.

While Mitchell might not put up the same type of numbers in his first year on the Forty Acres as he did during last season at UMass, he should still be one of the most efficient big men in the Big 12. With Texas splitting the usage in the frontcourt likely between power forward Dylan Disu and Mitchell, this duo could be one of the most efficient in the entire country.