Texas Basketball: Projecting Horns starting 5 a month from tip-off

Center: Kadin Shedrick

Texas has more depth than it had in a long time in this men’s hoops program, thanks to the return of Disu and the addition of the former Virginia Cavaliers junior transfer center Kadin Shedrick. Disu played like the best big man in the Big 12 down the stretch last season, winning Big 12 Tournament MVP honors for his efforts leading Texas to the tourney crown.

Shedrick, meanwhile, gives Texas a high-level inside scorer and rim protector. He’s got good hands, a solid array of post moves, and a lot of length at 6-foot11 and 220 pounds. Shedrick is your vintage rim-running big man who will be effective in transition and near the basket in the settled half-court offense.

He’ll also disrupt the opponent’s shots at or near the basket. Shedrick averaged nearly two blocks per game in the last two seasons at Virginia.

The reason Shedrick gets the edge over Disu for the start at the five at the outset of the 2023-24 campaign is injury. Inside Texas reported on Oct. 10 (paid content) that Disu “is not expected to be ready” for the start of the 2023-24 season. It sounds like he’ll return to the Longhorns this season before the start of conference play.

It’s huge that Terry and the Longhorns have built this depth in the frontcourt unit where they have multiple options to start at the five. Texas realistically has four options that can all start at the five if needed. Mitchell played 20 percent of his minutes down the stretch last season at the five. Onyema is also a capable big man playing at the five, even if his natural position is at the four.

Again, Disu is listed with an asterisk next to his name among the potential options for reserve center to start the 2023-24 season because of his absence due to injury.

Reserve center: Ze’Rik Onyema/Dylan Disu*