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Tuesday - Two Questions

I asked Steve Sarkisian two questions at yesterday’s press conference:

1. Was the Missouri game the best example of a complementary game from his offense and defense this year?

2. Can we expect to continue to see more of Jermaine Bishop moving forward?

In short, the answers to both were yes.

He provided some color for his reasoning.

As it relates to complimentary play, he mentioned not only the overall effectiveness of the offense and defense but also called out the resiliency of each unit and specific players.

For example, Warren Roberson was picked on early. He made perhaps the game’s deciding play.

Ryan Niblett fumbled a kickoff but redeemed himself by making a big tackle downfield later.

And after that fumbled kick return, Sark recalled that the defense responded with a three-and-out and Mizzou missed a field goal.

As for Bishop’s future, I thought Sark gave the freshman the biggest compliment he can give a talented, young offensive player.

“The moment is never too big for him,” he said of Bishop after also talking about how he’s made the most of his opportunities.

**

Put “the moment is never too big for him” in the quote closet for Sark.

But my favorite so far this year is his description of Rasheem Biles:

“He’s a problem.”

**

I went to the basketball game last night.

For those that know the sport and the Longhorns, please fill in the blank for me.

Matas Vokietaitis is the most dominant Texas men’s basketball player since ______________.

**

At one point in the second half, there were four Texas freshmen on the floor at the same time as Vokietaitis. Texas was pounding the rock inside and swishing threes on the outside.

I mentioned it to Texas GM Chris Ogden on the way out the door of the Moody last night and he was smiling about it.

I’ll add this:

I know it’s still early but there is zero question in my mind that the 2026 basketball recruiting class is the best since 2006, which was the Kevin Durant, DJ Augustin class.

Texas signed four freshmen who all have a distinct role on this team.

Marcus Spears may be the most athletic, tall wing player the Horns have ever had. Ever.

Austin Goosby matches his basketball ability with a strong basketball IQ.

Joe Sterling is an absolute sniper behind the arc.

And Bo Ogden seems to do a lot of things well, including the stuff that isn’t always picked up in the stat sheet.

**

LSU painted the opposing locker room pink prior to the Alabama game.

That didn’t seem to work.

**

I spoke to Michael Masunas yesterday for Longhorn Network.

After the interview he said he was surprised that no media member had asked him about Sam Leavitt, the LSU quarterback.

I asked him why.

He said the two were teammates at Michigan State and he knew him pretty well.

Also of note: Masunas is a fifth-year senior but has a medical year if he decides to use one next season.

Hook’Em!

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Recommended Comments

akhookem

Supporters
18 minutes ago, TexShoe said:

that was a statistics answer.

Obviously, point is that Texas has won 3 of the 4

Sundancekid

Supporters

This class was way more impressive to me than the one with Durant given how many pieces were brought in and the caliber each one is. By sheer numbers it is almost incomparable. It was an eleven/twelve man class. Not one scholarship seems like a stretch.

HonkEm

Supporters
3 hours ago, MarkInAustin said:

I don't think Matas will go as high in the draft as Jarrett Allen did. Allen was a freshman who could score, rebound, and play defense. I might take Matas over Hayes and Bamba. Myles Turner? IDK. But certainly he is no LMA or LaSalle Thompson. Matas just isn't the defender that any of those I named were.

I think that's fair. Matas has a chance to be a really good player, but Allen was a different level of defensive prospect. People forget Allen was a one-and-done freshman who went in the first round largely because NBA teams already knew he could rebound, protect the rim, and defend at an NBA level.

I'd probably put Matas in the Hayes/Bamba/Myles Turner discussion as a prospect, but Aldridge and Allen feel like a tier above. If Matas ends up getting drafted that high, it'll be because teams are betting on his versatility and upside, not because he's already the defender that Allen was coming out of Texas.

HonkEm

Supporters
1 hour ago, Bobby Burton said:

Yeah, he may not go as high. But Matas is a better college player than Allen IMO.

Also fair point. If we're talking college player, I think there's a strong argument for Matas. If we're talking NBA prospect, I'd still take Allen. Allen was drafted for elite traits. Matas is being evaluated more on versatility and overall basketball skill. Those are two different conversations.

TTaylor2135

Supporters

Just in case anyone hates Desmond Howard as much as me and remembers his tweet "taking out the trash" tweet about Sark... I'm having a good laugh this evening:

image.png

TexShoe

Supporters
1 hour ago, HonkEm said:

Also fair point. If we're talking college player, I think there's a strong argument for Matas. If we're talking NBA prospect, I'd still take Allen. Allen was drafted for elite traits. Matas is being evaluated more on versatility and overall basketball skill. Those are two different conversations.

since Texas will never be an NBA team, we should never waste a penny on these guys with NBA future that can't play a lick in college.

12 hours ago, TexShoe said:

since Texas will never be an NBA team, we should never waste a penny on these guys with NBA future that can't play a lick in college.

All depends if your coach can appropriately tap into some of those elite traits while they’re in college. Something tells me that Miller has a chance to moreso than his predecessors b/c of his offensive coaching.

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