Texas basketball (11-2, 0-0 SEC) and head coach Rodney Terry are about to begin their inaugural season in the SEC with a rivalry conference matchup against the No. 13 Texas A&M Aggies (11-2, 0-0 SEC) on Jan. 4.
The SEC conference play era officially begins for Texas basketball and Rodney Terry this weekend
Terry and the Longhorns bring a four-game winning streak into the start of SEC play this weekend, including a non-con finale win at the Moody Center last weekend over the Northwestern State Demons, 77-53. Texas got some huge pieces back in the rotation for the win over Northwestern State, including freshman guard Tre Johnson and senior forward Jayson Kent.
Johnson missed two games in the past few weeks due to a hip injury. He probably could've played in those contests had they come against bigger opponents in non-conference play. But Johnson looks rested and ready to go after posting a team-high 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists against the Demons on Dec. 29.
Kent had a solid performance, scoring nine points and picking up one block off the bench against Northwestern State after missing the previous eight games due to lingering injury issues.
Here are three bold predictions for the Longhorns in SEC play.
Arthur Kaluma leads the SEC in double-doubles
I've made the argument over and over again that senior forward Arthur Kaluma was the non-conference play MVP for the Longhorns. Kaluma showed incredible efficiency and durability on both ends of the floor for the Longhorns during the non-con, leading the team in rebounds, minutes played, and net rating among the Texas starting five.
Kaluma had a team-high three double-doubles in the non-con. He's pulled down double-digit rebounds in two consecutive games, including a game-high 13 boards vs. Northwestern State last weekend.
No player has been more effective hitting the glass on both ends of the floor than Kaluma for the Longhorns. He leads the team with seven multi-offensive rebound games.
Offensively, Kaluma has never been a more efficient scorer than he's been shooting from downtown for Texas. Kaluma has shot a sparkling 48.5 percent from byeond the arc. He's also shooting over 50 percent from the field and over 75 percent from the free-throw line for the first time in his career in college.