OTF Premium Texas basketball 2026-27 season thread

[Longhorn nation]

Gerry I know something that even u don’t know👀

Edited 8 hours ago by Longhorn nation

[Gerry Hamilton]

9 minutes ago, Horn79 said:

If we always planned for Spears to be the “missing” third big on this roster and this actually comes to fruition, then Sean Miller is a total witch. This would be beyond incredible. 

I would say the difference between the fan base and coaching staff ... they don't believe there is a "missing" third big. That's more of a fan thing, than inside the building. They like the development of the two youngsters. I understand it from a fan perspective because they haven't been seen on the court yet. But that doesn't mean the staff doesn't really like where they can/are going in roles. If the staff didn't like Obiorah and Clark, they could have kicked them to the curb and used the combined NIL money to get one big that was a little older. Texas has a vision for those guys, if they stay on their development path the next few months. Texas moved on from a number of guys, but retained both. IMO, one will definitely end up playing a key role for Texas this season. 

For instance, if you are in a game against Louisville and Matas goes down with a rolled ankle... You better have some size and/or strength with rim protection to throw at Flory Bidunga in spurts. He's a grown man. 

There are going to be multiple opponents that Texas will have to have a 7-1 rim protecting Obiorah for key stretches against bigger teams. Or the 1.5 years of college strength gains and rebounding ability from a John Clark. Like a Missouri with Tiller, Jaylen Carey and 7-5 Trent Burns. Tiller and Carey are grown men in the paint.  

This schedule will require rim protection, size/strength combo and also afford skill and scoring punch. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gerry Hamilton]

58 minutes ago, Longhorn nation said:

Gerry I know something that even u don’t know👀

Maybe, or maybe not. 

[Horn79]

2 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

I would say the difference between the fan base and coaching staff ... they don't believe there is a "missing" third big. That's more of a fan thing, than inside the building. They like the development of the two youngsters. I understand it from a fan perspective because they haven't been seen on the court yet. But that doesn't mean the staff doesn't really like where they can/are going in roles. If the staff didn't like Obiorah and Clark, they could have kicked them to the curb and used the combined NIL money to get one big that was a little older. Texas has a vision for those guys, if they stay on their development path the next few months. Texas moved on from a number of guys, but retained both. IMO, one will definitely end up playing a key role for Texas this season. 

For instance, if you are in a game against Louisville and Matas goes down with a rolled ankle... You better have some size and/or strength with rim protection to throw at Flory Bidunga in spurts. He's a grown man. 

There are going to be multiple opponents that Texas will have to have a 7-1 rim protecting Obiorah for key stretches against bigger teams. Or the 1.5 years of college strength gains and rebounding ability from a John Clark. Like a Missouri with Tiller, Jaylen Carey and 7-5 Trent Burns. Tiller and Carey are grown men in the paint.  

This schedule will require rim protection, size/strength combo and also afford skill and scoring punch. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hear you, and largely agree with you. That’s why I put “missing” third big in quotations. Even if we somehow pull this Spears thing off, I still think Clark/Obiorah have a role on this team in specific situations and games. We aren’t asking Spears to defend Bidunga, obviously. But man, this would still be an incredible fit. Honestly, the best part may be what it means for the 27-28 team. I am greedy, so I hope it happens. 

[harveycmd]

Let's see.

 

Edited 4 hours ago by harveycmd

[harveycmd]

On 7/6/2026 at 5:28 PM, Gerry Hamilton said:

2000-10 I agree with you. That’s a different convo for the decade 

Lakers title teams with Shaq and Kobe… Shaq was the most dominant player in the world at that time. 

Dominant isn't the same as the best. Kobe became the best in June 2000 when he led the comeback over Portland. Kobe always led the closeout title games in the clutch when he played with Shaq. Shaq himself acknowledged this. 

[Jerky]

2027 prospect 5-star 6-9 210 F Marcus Spears Jr. is the son of former NFL player and ESPN analyst Marcus "Swagu" Spears and former WNBA player Aiysha Spears. 

Marcus Spears Jr.’s sister, Macaria "Cari" Spears, plays volleyball at the University of Texas.

Austin Goosby (Texas freshman) and teammate Marcus Spears Jr. are close friends and played together in youth leagues and at Dynamic Prep in Dallas, Texas. Their longtime relationship extends beyond the court. 

Both players proved to be the anchors of their squad. Spears was named the Defensive Player of the Year, and they both earned MVP or Character awards at the program's senior events.

Marcus Spears Jr was unexpectedly absent from his Drive Nation team's game in Las Vegas.

Talks have been swirling over a potential reclassification to 2026 as schools including Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, LSU, Texas, and others pursue the elite talent.

Like a few others, Texas has exactly one 2026 position open, by design in my opinion. 

If Marcus Spears Jr is able and decides to reclassify to 2026, it may happen in late July or August so he can enroll in the fall semester. 

Arizona has potential lottery pick F Koa Pete and returning rotational F Aristode that provides length and perimeter shooting.  Arkansas just added Russian 6'11" Frolov to start and 5-star forward Muurinen. Kentucky has elite transfer senior 6-9 F Milan Momcilovic to be an immediate starter and veteran length and physical depth Justin McBride (6-8 Senior) and Ousmane N'Diaye (7-0 Forward). LSU has added European pro transfer 6-10 Michael Ruzic to start and KY transfer senior 6-7 Mouhamed Dioubate  Arguably, Texas has the clearest path to significant minutes at PF in 2026/2027.

Not a done deal but I believe 5-star 6-9 210 F Marcus Spears Jr will successfully reclassify and play for Texas Longhorns for two seasons beginning in 2026, along with Austin Goosby (1-2 years). 

🏀 🤘 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Jerky

[tfoster40]

44 minutes ago, Jerky said:

2027 prospect 5-star 6-9 210 F Marcus Spears Jr. is the son of former NFL player and ESPN analyst Marcus "Swagu" Spears and former WNBA player Aiysha Spears. 

Marcus Spears Jr.’s sister, Macaria "Cari" Spears, plays volleyball at the University of Texas.

Austin Goosby (Texas freshman) and teammate Marcus Spears Jr. are close friends and played together in youth leagues and at Dynamic Prep in Dallas, Texas. Their longtime relationship extends beyond the court. 

Both players proved to be the anchors of their squad. Spears was named the Defensive Player of the Year, and they both earned MVP or Character awards at the program's senior events.

Marcus Spears Jr was unexpectedly absent from his Drive Nation team's game in Las Vegas.

Talks have been swirling over a potential reclassification to 2026 as schools including Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, LSU, Texas, and others pursue the elite talent.

Like a few others, Texas has exactly one 2026 position open, by design in my opinion. 

If Marcus Spears Jr is able and decides to reclassify to 2026, it may happen in late July or August so he can enroll in the fall semester. 

Arizona has potential lottery pick F Koa Pete and returning rotational F Aristode that provides length and perimeter shooting.  Arkansas just added Russian 6'11" Frolov to start and 5-star forward Muurinen. Kentucky has elite transfer senior 6-9 F Milan Momcilovic to be an immediate starter and veteran length and physical depth Justin McBride (6-8 Senior) and Ousmane N'Diaye (7-0 Forward). LSU has added European pro transfer 6-10 Michael Ruzic to start and KY transfer senior 6-7 Mouhamed Dioubate  Arguably, Texas has the clearest path to significant minutes at PF in 2026/2027.

Not a done deal but I believe 5-star 6-9 210 F Marcus Spears Jr will successfully reclassify and play for Texas Longhorns for two seasons beginning in 2026, along with Austin Goosby (1-2 years). 

🏀 🤘 

 

holy f***!!!

[harveycmd]

@Gerry Hamilton Not only did Kobe work harder than Shaq, he worked harder than Michael Jordan. 

 

Yes, Phil Jackson stated that Kobe Bryant worked harder than Michael Jordan in training. [1]

[Little Carmine]

1 minute ago, harveycmd said:

@Gerry Hamilton Not only did Kobe work harder than Shaq, he worked harder than Michael Jordan. 

 

Yes, Phil Jackson stated that Kobe Bryant worked harder than Michael Jordan in training. [1]

I heard the opposite, Kobe was the least hard working person on the planet. Oh yeah, who is Kobe?

[harveycmd]

15 minutes ago, Little Carmine said:

I heard the opposite, Kobe was the least hard working person on the planet. Oh yeah, who is Kobe?

Good stuff @Little Carmine I know you're tweaking me. Doesn't matter. AI says:

Yes, January 2006 Kobe is the best ever in the NBA.

Edited 1 hour ago by harveycmd

[harveycmd]

More stuff for @Gerry Hamilton Kobe at 22 in May 2001 would likely beat April Jordan 1v1 at 22 in April 1986 when Jordan scored 63 against the Celtics. While Jordan's performance is legendary, Kobe dominated the best best defense in the NBA over multiple games.

[Nathan B]

1 hour ago, Jerky said:

2027 prospect 5-star 6-9 210 F Marcus Spears Jr. is the son of former NFL player and ESPN analyst Marcus "Swagu" Spears and former WNBA player Aiysha Spears. 

Marcus Spears Jr.’s sister, Macaria "Cari" Spears, plays volleyball at the University of Texas.

Austin Goosby (Texas freshman) and teammate Marcus Spears Jr. are close friends and played together in youth leagues and at Dynamic Prep in Dallas, Texas. Their longtime relationship extends beyond the court. 

Both players proved to be the anchors of their squad. Spears was named the Defensive Player of the Year, and they both earned MVP or Character awards at the program's senior events.

Marcus Spears Jr was unexpectedly absent from his Drive Nation team's game in Las Vegas.

Talks have been swirling over a potential reclassification to 2026 as schools including Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, LSU, Texas, and others pursue the elite talent.

Like a few others, Texas has exactly one 2026 position open, by design in my opinion. 

If Marcus Spears Jr is able and decides to reclassify to 2026, it may happen in late July or August so he can enroll in the fall semester. 

Arizona has potential lottery pick F Koa Pete and returning rotational F Aristode that provides length and perimeter shooting.  Arkansas just added Russian 6'11" Frolov to start and 5-star forward Muurinen. Kentucky has elite transfer senior 6-9 F Milan Momcilovic to be an immediate starter and veteran length and physical depth Justin McBride (6-8 Senior) and Ousmane N'Diaye (7-0 Forward). LSU has added European pro transfer 6-10 Michael Ruzic to start and KY transfer senior 6-7 Mouhamed Dioubate  Arguably, Texas has the clearest path to significant minutes at PF in 2026/2027.

Not a done deal but I believe 5-star 6-9 210 F Marcus Spears Jr will successfully reclassify and play for Texas Longhorns for two seasons beginning in 2026, along with Austin Goosby (1-2 years). 

🏀 🤘 

 

Koa Peat was drafted. If Spears wants a big role next year I think Arizona is the choice. I imagine Arizona saved some NIL for Peat to withdraw and return to school, so they probably have that for Spears as well. 

[Jerky]

33 minutes ago, Nathan B said:

Koa Peat was drafted. If Spears wants a big role next year I think Arizona is the choice. I imagine Arizona saved some NIL for Peat to withdraw and return to school, so they probably have that for Spears as well. 

Thx. My bad, AZ Peat was drafted. That does help AZ. But...

In June 2026, read AZ added 6-10 200 PF Maksim Brnović, an elite, highly skilled "jumbo creator" and one of the top European prospects born in 2008. NBA scouts view him as a versatile playmaker with high-level guard skills packed into a big man's frame.  He needs to add maybe 10lbs of good weight which is doable. Should be ready to play this fall. Marcus Spears could be a good complement to him.

But Marcus could get as many or more minutes at Texas.  Again, several teams recruiting Marcus have a spot open for 2026. 

I still like the chances Texas gets Marcus Spears Jr (if he is reclassified as 2026) - potential playing time and development, HC Miller's Dailyn Swain development proof of concept, current family connection to Texas, friend and former teammate at Texas, close to home (Dallas), great 2026 Texas roster, etc.

 

Edited just now by Jerky