Texas Basketball: Kendal Yancy to be used at....power forward?

Jon Rothstein is reporting that Texas basketball’s Kendal Yancy could be used at power forward.

Yes, you read that headline correctly.

Shaka Smart is considering using 6’3″ guard Kendal Yancy as a massively undersized power forward for the Texas Longhorns this season.

Hearing Texas could use Kendal Yancy as an undersized PF. 6-3 guard needs to be for Longhorns what JaQuon Parker was for Cincinnati in 2012.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 5, 2016

Smart likes to do things outside of the box. He has run ‘Havoc’ (a scheme that revolves around defensive pressure) dating back to his time at VCU and used Tevin Mack often in the front court last year.

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But putting Yancy at power forward? That might be a bit of a stretch.

Even though he is a leaper, Yancy has not been overly impressive as a rebounder – his career high is 2.8 rebounds per game in 21.3 minutes during his sophomore season.

And it’s not like the Longhorns don’t have options on the interior. Smart landed five-star center Jarrett Allen and four-star big man James Banks. Both players are nearly seven feet, have good mobility and can make shots in the mid-range. They also have returning player Shaquille Cleare.

Then again, putting Yancy at power forward for a select number of minutes each game could be devastating for an opponent. They could slide Tevin Mack to the five spot (to play five guards or five out) or even keep Allen at the five position, playing with four guards.

This would allow Smart to operate their ‘Havoc’ style of play more effectively. Because the Longhorns didn’t have the proper personnel in 2015-16, they limited their pressure on occasion and the system certainly wasn’t as powerful as it was in year’s past with VCU.

Playing Yancy at the four-position would put more speed on the floor, could help them create more turnovers, and could lead to more easy buckets for Texas.

Their transition attack would be lethal (once again, this is because of the quickness this type of lineup would possess) and even their half-court offense could be boosted due to Yancy’s ability to bring a big away from the basket to guard him on the perimeter.

While the Longhorns would be at a major disadvantage on the glass and in the half-court defensively (is Yancy going to be able to guard a four man?), I’d assume this would only be an option for a short stint. Running this lineup out there for more than three-to-four minutes a game would not be beneficial at all.

Another reason Smart could be thinking about this is that the Longhorns have great depth in their backcourt with the likes of Andrew Jones, Jacob Young, Eric Davis Jr., Kerwin Roach Jr. and Mack.

And this is where the JaQuan Parker comparison comes into play.

The Bearcats needed Parker to play some power forward due to suspensions back in 2012. He thrived in that role despite being just 6’3″. He was tough, physical and smart and similar to Yancy, Parker wasn’t exactly a great rebounder in his first two years of college. He transitioned to power forward when he was needed and capitalized on his opportunity.

Texas isn’t at the point where they desperately need Yancy at that position (which is why I believe this will be a lineup that they only throw out there for short minutes), but they can move him around because of the numerous talented players they possess in the backcourt.

It’s an odd idea, however, you cannot question the work of Smart. If he feels this will help them both offensively and defensively, and possibly separate themselves from other teams in the Big 12, then why not give it a try?

Next: George Washington off-season question marks

The Longhorns have nothing to lose. They will likely be in the NCAA Tournament regardless, so looking for a simple edge isn’t much of a risk.

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Texas Basketball: Kendal Yancy to be used at….power forward?

By Carmine Carcieri | Aug 5, 2016

Jon Rothstein is reporting that Texas basketball’s Kendal Yancy could be used at power forward.

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