OTF Q&A: video clips from Longhorns basketball open media practice

[Gerry Hamilton]

Texas No. 4 here ...

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/49491209/mens-ncaa-basketball-2026-27-way-too-early-top-25-rankings-biggest-nonconference-games

 

I have Texas anywhere from 4 to 9 range ... see if these 22's can transfer ... If Dillon Mitchell returns to St. John's, they jump Texas for me. 

[Gerry Hamilton]

 

[Shivam Patel]

@Gerry HamiltonHow does Isiah Johnson look? I’m the most excited about him a three level scorer who can also pass at a high level!

[Rocky P]

Did you see anything that concerned you today?

[Gerry Hamilton]

Just now, Shivam Patel said:

@Gerry HamiltonHow does Isiah Johnson look? I’m the most excited about him a three level scorer who can also pass at a high level!

Terrific. I'm a big, big fan. Plays under control, but at the same time can play fast. 

Has the feel, knowledge and knack for getting to FT line for 6-1.5/6-2 guy. Had two straight attacks and would have been FT's 

Texas was very structured offensively today. They are teaching all these guys the reads on offense this summer. Install on O and D

[Hook em All Day]

59 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

All media was told not to write a practice report … so OTF is not 

Let’s do this … ask me questions 

Interesting…. Horns 247 has a full practice report up…. 🤔

[Gerry Hamilton]

2 minutes ago, Rocky P said:

Did you see anything that concerned you today?

Nothing I didn't already know from sources. 

Ceiling will be determined by freshmen growth over the first 20 games of the season. 

What doesn't show up today is ...

Have to hit 74% from the FT line and I believe Texas will be 35.5%'ish from three this season. Neither of those were going to be judged in a sctructured workout. And I would say this importantly ... any media member that tries to judge how a team will shoot the three off one workout, they are basketball dumb. 

[Hook em All Day]

After watching today Gerry, is this the most excited you have ever been for a Texas basketball season to start? Do you think they can be a legit Final Four contender? 

[Gerry Hamilton]

2 minutes ago, Hook em All Day said:

Interesting…. Horns 247 has a full practice report up…. 🤔

Not supposed to. Just ask Q's 

There is nothing you will not have already learned if you follow my summer reports here.

[Rocky P]

1 minute ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

Nothing I didn't already know from sources. 

Ceiling will be determined by freshmen growth over the first 20 games of the season. 

What doesn't show up today is ...

Have to hit 74% from the FT line and I believe Texas will be 35.5%'ish from three this season. Neither of those were going to be judged in a sctructured workout. And I would say this importantly ... any media member that tries to judge how a team will shoot the three off one workout, they are basketball dumb. 

I was more concerned about high turnovers, bad passes, overall sloppy play.  Also if the effort didnt seem there. 

[Hook em All Day]

Just now, Gerry Hamilton said:

Not supposed to. Just ask Q's 

There is nothing you will not have already learned if you follow my summer reports here.

I’m very aware! I just thought it was hilarious you posted that and I popped on over there and they have a full report talking about the drills ran, etc. We all know OTF is the go to… get Paramount plus added to your membership and I think you might shut down Horns 247 COMPLETLEY!!! LoL 

[Gerry Hamilton]

Just now, Hook em All Day said:

After watching today Gerry, is this the most excited you have ever been for a Texas basketball season to start? Do you think they can be a legit Final Four contender? 

It's on par with 3-4 others. 

My goal this season is to be a top 2 seed. If you are on the 2/3 seed line, and are 3 ... okay too. 

It's damn hard to get to a Final Four, so I don't go there. Get me to that seed line area mentioned, and see what happens. 

If you had me list teams right now (still have to wait to see what happens with 2022's), I think there are a lot of really good teams and Texas is on the list:

Florida, Duke and Illinois - should be No. 1 seeds if healthy

UConn, Michigan State, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, St. John's, Louisville and USC likely my next group. 

Virginia, Michigan, Alabama, Miami, Vanderbilt, Missouri the 3rd group. 

[ATX16]

8 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

Terrific. I'm a big, big fan. Plays under control, but at the same time can play fast. 

Has the feel, knowledge and knack for getting to FT line for 6-1.5/6-2 guy. Had two straight attacks and would have been FT's 

Texas was very structured offensively today. They are teaching all these guys the reads on offense this summer. Install on O and D

I really liked Pope and his ability to hit some big three's but he was so limited breaking down a defense without a ball screen. 

Is Augustine too high of a comp for Johnson?

[Gerry Hamilton]

One thing I always say to keep in mind on 3-point shooting ...

The last five National Champions shot between 36.5% and 35.3% from 3 for the season. No great shooting teams since Baylor from 3. 

Texas was 35.5% last year

[Gerry Hamilton]

That was the Texas team's first practice in Moody Center all summer. All the transfers and freshman first time shooting and working out in Moody 

[Gerry Hamilton]

OKC Head coach and staff member's were in attendance today.

[Gerry Hamilton]

14 minutes ago, ATX16 said:

I really liked Pope and his ability to hit some big three's but he was so limited breaking down a defense without a ball screen. 

Is Augustine too high of a comp for Johnson?

Pope definitely undervalued as a floor spacer. Agree 100% ... BTW Texas A&M trying to get Jordan Pope (They may not get Bryson Warren eligible). He was a floor spacing initiator for sure! Not going to get in paint and create rotations

Let's see Johnson play this year. I actually think Johnson will be a better pro long term. He's two inches taller, longer arms and has all the same three level ability. 

[hookem1014]

14 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

OKC Head coach and staff member's were in attendance today.

Learning how to draw fouls without flopping on every shot?

[Gerry Hamilton]

1 minute ago, hookem1014 said:

Learning how to draw fouls without flopping on every shot?

There was a charge taking drill lol 

[Gerry Hamilton]

My top 25 preseason list right now ... with understanding things could change if the 2022's get eligible:

 

1. Florida

2. Duke

3. Illinois - David Mirkovic has to come back from broken foot/surgery July 31

4. St. John's - if they get Dillon Mitchell back.

5. Michigan State

6. UConn

7. Texas

8. Arizona

9. Tennessee

10. Arkansas

11. Louisville

12. USC - big man just got injured, but young depth is quality

13. Michigan

14. Virginia

15. Miami

16. Vanderbilt

17. Alabama

18. Missouri 

19. Houston

20. Gonzaga - was top 10'ish level before the PG porked Few

21. Kentucky

22. UCLA

23. Kansas

24. Iowa State

25. North Carolina

Just missed:
Indiana
Villanova
Nebraska
Purdue 
Arizona State

[Gerry Hamilton]

NBADraft.net ... 3 1st rounders for the Horns

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/?year-mock=2028

Other 2027 mocks have Matas and Elyjah Freeman as second rounders

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/

 

Goosby shows up in some 1st's in 2027 and 2028

 

My current projections remain unchanged:

Isaiah Johnson - 1st round in 2027 or 2028

Austin Goosby - 1st round/lottery in 2027 or 2028

Elyjah Freeman - 2nd/1st round in 2027 or 2028

David Punch - 2nd round in 2027 or 2028

Matas - 2nd round in 2027 or 2028

Marcus Spears Jr. - lottery pick in 2028