Date: Friday, November 6, 2015
Venue: Frank Erwin Center
Location: Austin, Texas
Time: 5:00 PM CST
Television: Longhorn Network
College basketball season isn’t here quite yet, but it’s close enough that NBA games have started and close enough for the ‘Horns to get their first taste of real action when they play Tarleton State on Friday. It’s tough to prognosticate how things will shake out for the Longhorns when the season is over, but the excitement surrounding new head coach Shaka Smart’s debut is extremely high on The 40 Acres.
We know Smart is all about high-tempo, havoc on the court. Now we have the opportunity to see his philosophy in action using some best talent in the country.
While the exhibition game against Tarleton won’t count in the record books, it gives fans an opportunity to see Smart’s product in action. Expect to see a lot of up and down fast pace on offense, pushing the tempo. Defensively, expect full court or half court pressure and pick-up. Texas has the guards to pressure the ball up and down the court. Kendal Yancy, Demarcus Holland, Isaiah Taylor, and freshmen Kerwin Roach and Eric Davis are suited well to play to Smart’s style of basketball.
I expect the starting lineup will be Isaiah Taylor, Kendal Yancy, Tevin Mack, Connor Lammert, and Cameron Ridley. This gives Texas an athletic lineup that can play with tempo while providing solid rebounding and shooting.
Tarleton State, a Division II program, finished the 2014 season with a 31-4 overall record. The Texans won the Lone Star Conference and reached the NCAA Division II Final Four. They return three starters from last year’s team.
Admission to the game is free and parking is available at no charge after 4:00 PM in lots 108 & 118 on a first-come, first-served basis.
