Texas basketball vs. UTRGV: 3 bold predictions for Gregory showdown

Sir’Jabari Rice goes perfect on at least three attempts from deep

The former New Mexico State Aggies senior transfer shooting guard/wing Sir’Jabari Rice has delivered on the two-way impact he was supposed to bring to the table for the Longhorns this season. The three-time All-WAC guard/wing is making valuable contributions in multiple phases of the game early this season for Beard’s squad.

But one area where Rice is slumping a bit since the season opener is shooting from deep. In the last three games, Rice has shot just 2-of-7 from beyond the arc.

While that’s not the worst clip to be shooting the three-ball at, it feels like only a matter of time before Rice finds his footing from deep. He was crisp, hitting 2-of-3 looks from deep, in Texas’ season-opening win over the UTEP Miners on Nov. 7.

Rice had his fair share of open looks in the last few games from deep. But he often either passed the ball up or just missed.

Against a UTRGV backcourt that has some holes that the Longhorns could expose defensively, Rice will definitely have his open looks in this game. If he gets three or four chances to take uncontested three-point attempts, watch out for Rice to go perfect from deep for the first time this season.

One of UTRGV’s major weaknesses is perimeter defense working from the inside out. If Rice can get moving off-ball on the offensive end of the floor, he is bound to have a big game even beyond shooting from three.