OTF Premium Marcus Spears Jr starting?

[Gerry Hamilton]

Have received a few DM’s on a tweet from National CBK analyst Jon Rothstein yesterday 

Not taking a shot at Rothstein, as he does a very good job covering college basketball. 

I do want to say Spears Jr., Punch and Vokietaitis aren’t expected to be in a starting lineup together. That doesn’t mean there couldn’t be a select matchup at some point to start them, but it’s not in the plans currently. I do believe there will be a matchup or couple of them in which you can play all three for some short stretches (maybe Florida a little come January). 

The issues with that lineup become floor spacing and rotation of the bigs. Spears Jr.  is playing 4-man, and battling against David Punch daily is accelerating his development to get ready to play 4-man in major college hoops. 

I’m still of the belief that Texas will start:

LG/PG Isaiah Johnson

CG Mikey Lewis -or- Austin Goosby

SF Elyjah Freeman … Amari Evans making a run headed into practices

PF David Punch

C Matas Vokietaitis 

Bench:
PF Marcus Spears … major role 

CG Lewis or Goosby … Major role 

SF/G Amari Evans … Major role 

G/W Bo Ogden … key role 

PF John Clark or C Lewis Obiorah … based on matchups. Minor role 

SG Joe Sterling … minor role vs mid-majors, and see where he goes defensively 

[Gerry Hamilton]

ICYMI, Jeff Howe and I sat down for interviews with Isaiah Johnson and David Punch recently 

 

[Gerry Hamilton]

On hoops recruiting … Texas continues to be in pretty good spot for No. 1 in 2027 Beckham Black with OV’s to Ark, Duke and Miami to come 

I would put the three OV’s so far in this order: 

Texas, Florida and UNC 

[Gerry Hamilton]

I want to add this … Marcus Spears Jr. mental capacity to learn and take it to the court has blown the staff away

There have been times in the last two weeks he’s been the best player on the court. 

He’s picked up the systems really quickly. Playing in the ball screen game defensively, deflections, changing shots, accepting older players physicality, ability to rotate and recover, etc … On offense, playing the ball screen game with timing in the short roll, learning timing of passing out of the high post, shot selection, subtle floor spacing movement as a 4-man, etc…

He’s way ahead of schedule

[Gerry Hamilton]

Couple of practices in …

Austin Goosby has returned to the court playing well. All comes down to be consistently in the court for the 6-5.5 freshman. 

Even in his time with “jumpers knee” keeping him off the court, the staff has been working with his guide hand. The returns have been very good thus far.

Big key for Goosby is hitting 34-35% from three this year. If he does that, he goes to another level as an NBA prospect. 

[NothinButDaHorns34]

IF spears is what we think he can be its great to know we’ve got two years with him regardless 

[CJ Vogel]

So many reasons to be excited about this team.

[Triplettjoseph]

Is there concern on the depth at PG

[DanielOnorato]

Gerry, any chance Matas could benefit from the 5 for 5 ruling? Great reporting per usual. 

Amari Evans is a significantly better player and upgrade over Chendall Weaver. Texas fans are gonna love him. He is a glue guy.

[Gerry Hamilton]

7 minutes ago, Triplettjoseph said:

Is there concern on the depth at PG

Only if Johnson goes down to injury for a period of time… but that’s the same for 98% of teams in CBK. 

Texas likes Goosby as a CG quite a bit. Mikey Lewis can initiate too. 

Texas has multiple initiators. 

 

[Gerry Hamilton]

4 minutes ago, DanielOnorato said:

Gerry, any chance Matas could benefit from the 5 for 5 ruling? Great reporting per usual. 

Amari Evans is a significantly better player and upgrade over Chendall Weaver. Texas fans are gonna love him. He is a glue guy.

I think Matas has a very interesting decision to make if he doesn’t elevate to 1st round (which is less than 50-50 IMO)

He would definitely make more in college by staying for senior year

Thats why Texas isn’t being aggressive with HS recruiting in 2027.

Texas could lose 3-4 to the NBA after the season (which would mean Texas had one of those E8 or dream FF seasons) … or lose 1-2. 

[DanielOnorato]

1 minute ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

I think Matas has a very interesting decision to make if he doesn’t elevate to 1st round (which is less than 50-50 IMO)

He would definitely make more in college by staying for senior year

Thats why Texas isn’t being aggressive with HS recruiting in 2027.

Texas could lose 3-4 to the NBA after the season (which would mean Texas had one of those E8 or dream FF seasons) … or lose 1-2. 

I think he could make more money in college and can develop into a role player for the NBA after maximizing his eligibility. 

[Dread-headed Texan]

I'm excited for Texas, and while I may be a Duke fan, I'm excited for fans of Texas MCBB. I see it.