I studied the Houston/Texas match-up from January 29, 2024, for this scouting report.

Texas Overview

The Coogs survived an overtime thriller in Austin back on January 29. They owned the offensive glass and gave themselves crucial extra-scoring opportunities. Jamal Shead carried the Coogs that night and will need more help on the offensive end this time around. As a coach, there is no way I would allow the same guy to beat me twice in a season. I’d expect Coach Rodney Terry to devise a plan to slow Jamal down. I’d expect a big game from the duo of LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp. It should be a rowdy atmosphere in Fertitta Center on Saturday!

Head of the Snake

When the Coogs traveled to Austin, I had Dylan Disu as my “Head of the Snake.” Disu concerned me (and still does) because of his ability to score from inside or outside at 6’9″. He had a pretty good game in Austin, scoring 14 points and grabbing five rebounds. He is still a major concern, and I know Coach Sampson and the staff will try to make it difficult for him to get open opportunities. Dillon Mitchell was also a problem for the Coogs the first time around. He had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. I’m not “as” concerned with him this time (I could be dead wrong!). He got most of his points in the paint when the Coog defenders had their backs turned. He is a very, very poor shooter outside of the paint. I expect the Coogs to keep him outside the paint and force him to make tough shots.

I am taking Max Abmas as my “Head of the Snake” this time. He made several tough shots in game one vs. the Coogs and finished with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists. He “makes them go” on offense and will be looking to prove himself vs Shead at the Fertitta Center, where he had a poor showing last year while playing for Oral Roberts. Coach Terry will look to get him opportunities early and often in hopes of pulling the big upset.

Texas Offense

Texas does a good job of sharing the ball on offense. They are currently ranked #34 nationally in assists per game with 16.2. They will attempt to move the ball quickly against the Coogs double-teams and look for easy scoring opportunities.

They are ranked #29 in the county in FG%, shooting 48.01%. They love to score in the paint with Disu, Mitchell, Hunter, Shedrick, and Weaver. This can often open up shooters like Abmas, Horton, and Cunningham. The Longhorns are ranked #17 nationally in 3pt%, shooting 37.86%, because they are getting great inside/out looks.

The Coogs will have to do a better job against the back-door cut this game. They allowed Mitchell to score entirely too often in the paint. The key for the Coogs will be to keep Abmas or Disu well under the averages and keep role players from exceeding what they normally do offensively.

Don’t “over-help”;

Texas Defense

Texas is not a great defensive or rebounding team. The Coogs destroyed them on the glass in Austin, out-rebounding them 47-36 and grabbing 14 offensive boards. That will be a huge key for the Coogs to win again on Saturday. They must attack the paint and look for shots, with an opportunity to grab an offensive rebound for the put-back or kick out to a wide-open shooter for the “dagger three.” The more the Coogs get the ball in the paint, the better it will be for the offense!