The Texas Longhorns have suffered multiple personnel losses since their crushing overtime loss to Nevada. How is their backcourt shaping up for next year?
Texas’s season ended on a disappointing note as they suffered a crushing overtime defeat to Nevada in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Longhorns received strong performances from Matt Coleman (25 points) and Kerwin Roach II (26 points) but blew a late lead to the hot-shooting Wolf Pack.
Since the season has ended, multiple key players have decided to leave the program. One of those players, Eric Davis Jr., has decided to pursue a pro career and forgo his final year of eligibility. Davis sat out the last six games because of his inclusion in the Yahoo FBI report, so his departure is not a surprise.
Davis never fully lived up to his lofty recruiting ranking and his promising freshman campaign, but he was a solid contributor nonetheless. The 6’3” Michigan native averaged 8.8ppg as a junior. His minutes would have likely decreased as a senior from 26.2 mpg to closer to 20 mpg.
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He is not the only guard to leave the Texas program as Jacob Young has decided to transfer. Young is the younger brother of Indiana Pacers guard Joe Young. Jacob Young started to develop into a key piece for Texas when Davis was out of the lineup, but his path to major minutes next season was unclear.
Young took advantage of his increased playing time to average 13.3ppg over his last 6 games. This includes a 29 point outburst in the Big XII Quarterfinals against Texas Tech. He averaged 6.2ppg in his sophomore season and should be a hot commodity in the transfer market.
Even though the Longhorns lost two quality contributors, their backcourt still has an abundance of talent. Lead guard Matt Coleman improved significantly throughout his freshman season and should be a breakout player as a sophomore. Jase Febras struggled to hit shots as a freshman but is a promising long-term piece.
Texas also adds two newcomers to their perimeter rotation, Elijah Mitrou-Long and Gerald Liddell. Mitrou-Long established himself as one of the best mid-major guards by averaging 15.0ppg, 5.2rpg, and 4.4apg as a sophomore at Mount St. Mary’s. Liddell is an athletic wing who is also a top 50 recruit. Both players will make a major impact in their first seasons with Texas.
— Kerwin Roach II (@KLR_doce) March 27, 2018
While this collection of perimeter talent is impressive, the Texas backcourt could become even more imposing for next season. Kerwin Roach II has declared for the NBA Draft without an agent and if he opts to return for his senior season, the Longhorns could make serious waves in the Big XII.
Roach is a super athletic shooting guard who has improved his jump shot and his ability to create offense. He averaged 12.3ppg and 3.6apg as a junior and would be one of the best seniors in the country next season. Roach could be selected in the second round but could improve his stock with a final year in school.
However, the ultimate wildcard is Andrew Jones. Jones was the Longhorns’ best perimeter player before being diagnosed with cancer last year. He was seen as a fringe first round pick before his illness and if can regain his previous form, then Texas will have one of the most talented rosters in the country.
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Overall, Texas has an extremely talented backcourt, even without Young and Davis. If Roach returns, Texas could be better than they were this season, but there is a legitimate chance that he stays in the draft. I would not expect Jones to be back in the lineup, but even without him, the Longhorns have an unbelievably deep collection of perimeter players.