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

Oct 31, 2021; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Chet Holmgren (34) points to the guy he was covering during a game against the Eastern Oregon Mountaineers in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Bulldogs won 115-62. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

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Texas Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK /

Can Texas go 10 deep?

It would be easy – and not entirely unfounded – to assume Coach Beard was able to play ten players at least eleven minutes because of the 16 point lead at halftime that the Longhorns would extend to an eventual 92-48 victory. Adding to that assumption is that Houston Baptist did play their entire eleven-man roster at least eleven minutes, making it easier to match up bench players for Coach Beard.

Even with those factors taken into consideration, there is still reason to believe that Texas is a deep team. More so, when you take into consideration that Gonzaga played eight players double-digit minutes in their 34 point victory.

In a vacuum, the number of minutes played is not as indictive as the playing time distribution. Will Brock Cunningham. Jaylon Tyson and Devin Askew average the 14 minutes they played on Tuesday for the season? Most likely not, but it does seem they are the lowest on the depth chart at the moment. A distinction must also be made between being able to get on the court and being productive.

Cunningham averaged 15 minutes and fewer than two points per game last season, Tyson averaged eleven points in 14 minutes, while Askew averaged over six points while starting 20 games and tallying up over 28 minutes per game, for a Kentucky team that was in disarray the entire season. The Longhorns seem to have 10 players they can confidently put out on the floor, but will they versus Gonzaga?