Texas basketball projected 2023-2024 starting lineup

Texas basketball starting center: Dylan Disu

Texas’ best player in the Big 12 Tournament and the NCAA Tournament in the season that was is none other than senior big man Dylan Disu. The 6-foot-9 and 220-pound fifth-year senior was red-hot for the Longhorns down the stretch last season and in the postseason, winning the Big 12 Tournament MVP and shattering single-game postseason records for Texas on offense in the first couple of rounds of the Big Dance.

Assuming he’s healthy at the outset of the 2023-24 regular season, it makes the most sense for Terry and the Longhorns to run it back with Disu starting at the five alongside Mitchell at the four. The frontcourt duo of Disu and Mitchell allows the Longhorns to push the pace in transition, win battles on the glass, protect the rim, and move the ball freely around all five offensive positions.

In particular, Disu is a high-level bucket-getter with his back-to-the-basket scoring ability, mid-range floater, turnaround jumper, and even in certain catch-and-shoot spots from beyond the arc (shot better than 35 percent on catch-and-shoot three-pointers last season). Disu’s threat is unique because he can efficiently score the basketball in so many ways inside the arc.

The biggest question mark with Disu is always his health. He missed the last couple of games for Texas in the NCAA Tournament due to a lower-body injury. Lower-body injuries have limited the complete impact that Disu had on the Longhorns in the last two seasons.

When healthy, though, Disu is one of the best two-way big men in the Big 12.