Texas Basketball: 3 players turning a corner in Big 12 play

Brock Cunningham, F

Among the remaining players that the Longhorns have on the roster from last year’s team under former head coach Shaka Smart sits the hard-working junior forward Brock Cunningham. This former under-the-radar three-star recruit was never the most recognizable or highest-volume scorer the Longhorns had in the last few seasons.

Yet, Cunningham does a lot of the dirty work that a lot of other players don’t game in and game out. He brings a high level of effort and intensity in terms of rebounding the basketball, playing on-ball defense, and getting timely blocks and steals. Cunningham is definitely one of the most disruptive and energetic defenders in this rotation for the Longhorns this season.

As the season moves along, a lot of the contributions from Cunningham will be valued more and more by Beard and this staff. That trend is already apparent from the Big 12 opener. Cunningham was really good coming off the bench for the Longhorns in the win over West Virginia on Jan. 1. He didn’t get all that much playing time, but he provided a spark at the right time.

In that win over West Virginia, Cunningham gave the Longhorns five points on three field goal attempts, one rebound, and two steals. In fact, in half of the games Cunningham played in the last three weeks, he’s registered at least two steals.

Cunningham is an important part of this rotation. Even though his numbers often won’t jump off the page at you, his contributions to this team are critical in tight games.

And he’s definitely turned it up a notch in the last few weeks, which is good timing at the beginning of the Big 12 slate right now.