Texas Basketball: 3 players who need to pick up the pace in December

Devin Askew, G

Most Texas fans knew coming into the season that the value that the former Kentucky Wildcats freshman guard and five-star recruit Devin Askew would bring to the table right away was his defensive ability. Askew was one of the premier young perimeter defenders in the SEC last season but struggled at times with his offensive game.

Coming out of high school, Askew showed off some solid playmaking and shot-creating abilities. But that has yet to really translate in the college game as of yet. Askew is actually performing worse in a few areas this season with the Longhorns compared to last year with the Wildcats.

Askew is down to shooting 25 percent from beyond the arc and 36.8 percent from the field. His field goal percentage has improved compared to last season. But he’s still finding issues shooting from beyond the arc. It’s hard to find a solution to this issue too. Askew isn’t hitting his open shots and all of his three-point makes this season were assisted.

Maybe he needs to start creating his own shot?

Before we dive too deep into the shot charts and analytics for Askew, there is one simple thing to be said here. Askew needs to get to the rim more and use his big frame and quick first step to his advantage. Not every guard is going to shoot lights out from deep. But he needs to be effective on offense in most other phases.

Look at the Boston Celtics veteran point guard Marcus Smart. He’s not a great shooter, but he gets to the rim and draws contact often. Thus, he gets to the free-throw line more so than most. Askew is also someone that could do that. Take a page from Smart’s book and Askew could move in the right direction from here on out.