Projecting Texas basketball’s starting 5 with Tyrese Hunter
Center: Timmy Allen
The final piece to the puzzle for the Longhorns to put together a successful small starting unit is the returning super-senior big man and former Utah Ute Timmy Allen at the five. Allen would be the cog that would make this entire thing work for the Longhorns’ frontcourt to be able to run with a small-ball starting unit in the first place.
Allen showed the ability last season to handle a significant amount of weight on his shoulders on both ends of the floor. That gives the indication that he would be able to handle the pressure and transition of starting at the five in a small-ball lineup if he had the added resources around him with versatile pieces such as Hunter and Mitchell.
The ability for Allen to rebound the ball well and score on the inside would be a major x-factor in how Texas is able to run a small-ball offense. Allen would be the most effective rebounder on the inside and the most natural inside scorer. But this territory would come with some even more difficult matchups in terms of his size disadvantage playing at the five.
That’s where Allen might have to really on his midrange game, quick post moves, and passing than he would otherwise starting at the four.
3 spring additions ready to shine for Texas in 2022-23. dark. Next
Behind Allen could either be the former Creighton Blue Jays transfer and fellow returning super senior big man Christian Bishop. In more of a traditional starting unit, it looks like Bishop would be the favorite to get the spot starting at the five. But in small-ball lineups, Bishop would likely fall in line behind Allen and maybe even the former Vanderbilt Commodores transfer power forward Dylan Disu (depending on if he’s able to return to form next season).