Texas vs Gonzaga: 2021-22 key storylines to watch for top-5 matchup

The Longhorns’ ability to rebound

When 6’7, 220 pound Christian Bishop is your center, you are going to have the same problem Creighton had last season when Bishop was theirs, rebounding. On opening night the Longhorns had difficulty keeping Houston Baptist off the offensive glass. The Huskies had 6/9 Zach Iyeyemi in the line-up, but he paid just eleven minutes as the Huskies collected 16 offensive rebounds and 15 defensive ones. The bulk of the damage on the boards versus the Longhorns was done by 6’5 / 205 Deshon Proctor and 6’2 / 175 Brycen Long as each grabbed three offensive rebounds each.

While Bishop started, he played 17 minutes, three less than 6’9 /240 Tre Mitchell. The junior may not be as much of an offensive threat as Bishop, but the defensive upside that Mitchell possesses should not be ignored as it will be virtually impossible for Bishop to guard  6’10 /235 Drew Timme. If attempting to stop Timme was not going to be enough to stretch the resources Coach Beard has at his disposal, somebody will still be required to guard 7’0 / 195, Chet Holmgren.

Julian Strawther and Holmgren each grabbed six rebounds versus Dixie State to lead the Bulldogs to fifteen total offensive rebounds that they converted into 22 second-chance points. Stats that will only be built upon against Texas, for Houston Baptist managed just eleven points from their 16 offensive boards. If Mitchell does not get some help in the key, it will be an important factor in the Longhorns’ loss.