Texas Basketball: 3 players already exceeding expectations this season

Since we’re not all that deep into the regular season slate yet for new head coach Chris Beard and No. 8 ranked Texas basketball, it’s difficult to come up with a complete list for report cards for the players out of the gates. Texas is only four games into what could be a very promising inaugural campaign under the direction of the former Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Beard.

Beard and the Longhorns have the makings of what could be another Big 12 Championship-winning season for this program. But it’s not just winning another Big 12 crown that is the ultimate goal for Texas this season. Avoiding an early postseason exit when expectations are high is the main task at hand for Beard and the Longhorns this season.

An extraordinary lack of postseason success is what ultimately cost former Texas head coach Shaka Smart his job. Texas looked good heading into the postseason during the 2020-21 campaign but fell short in the Round of 64 yet again.

Texas basketball has some players exceeding preseason expectations already

Beard is now looking to right the ship for the Longhorns. And while he appears to be off to a decent start, Texas was really only tested once so far this season. We are only four games into this regular season slate.

The good news is that Texas put together their most complete game of the season so far in their second leg of the Abe Lemons Classic in a win over the San Jose State Spartans on Nov. 20. This is a spot where Texas can build on some momentum heading into a more difficult portion in about a week during the non-conference slate.

Texas will need to see some of their more important players continue to step up in the weeks ahead. Here’s a look at three Longhorns players that are important to continue some recent success on the hardwood that are already exceeding preseason expectations.