Texas Basketball vs. Gonzaga: 5 bold predictions for top-12 showdown

Texas wins the battle on the boards

If Texas is able to limit the effectiveness of Timme in this game, then it becomes a lot more manageable to win the battle on the boards.

Something that also helps Texas in the battle on the glass against the Zags this season is the fact that seven-footer and former standout freshman center Chet Holmgren is gone. Holmgren was obviously an effective rebounder for the Zags. He posted the best rebounding percentage of the Gonzaga starters against Texas last season.

The combination of the loss of Holmgren for the Zags along with the addition of Disu for the Longhorns should be enough to make the battle on the boards very interesting in this meeting on Nov. 16.

Disu actually led Texas in rebounding percentage last season. His rim protection and rebounding should be able to make a big impact on this game for the Texas frontcourt.

Another factor working in Texas’ favor in terms of the rebounding battle in this game is the addition of the former elite five-star recruit and true freshman forward Dillon Mitchell. Through the first two games of the season, Mitchell is the far and away leader for Texas in rebounding percentage, at 23.4.

Texas already had a good game on the offensive glass last season without Mitchell in the mix, posting an offensive rebounding percentage north of 36. And when you figure in a player with elite vertical ability and a motor that never stops on the glass on both ends of the floor, it becomes clear that Texas will be more formidable in terms of rebounding this time around against the Zags.