Texas vs. UTSA Basketball Preview

The Texas Longhorns have won two contests in a row, and play their final pre-North Carolina tuneup game tonight against the 1-7 UTSA Roadrunners. On paper, coach Brooks Thompson's team is the weakest Texas opponent of the entire season.

UTSA has struggled on defense so far this season, allowing opponents to connect on 56 percent of their shots from inside the arc, and a stunning 43 percent from three point range.

The offense has been a bit better, as at least the Roadrunners have shot the ball fairly well. 6-1 senior Ryan Bowie has led the charge for the Roadrunners, scoring over 19 PPG, while connecting on 52 percent of his twos, and and 47 percent of his chances from beyond the arc.

Beyond Bowie,6-4 junior JR Harris will get his chances. While on the floor this season, the transfer from Indian Hills Community College has taken one out of every three Roadrunner shots. It hasn't gone well so far, as Harris is only 11-35 on shots inside the three point line, although more than half of his attempts are from long range.

6-0 sophomore Gino Littles functions as the team's primary ball handler. He qualifies as a pass first point guard, and averages almost four assists per game. So far this year, he has shown little interest in shooting the ball from long range, and he is a career 61 percent free throw shooter. The Doug Gottlieb defensive rules may be in play.

In the front court this season, the Roadrunners have mostly relied on a three man rotation. 6-7 freshman Nick Allen is a live body on the offensive glass, and he will share time with 6-10 junior Lucas O'Brien and 6-8 freshman AJ Cockrell.

Against a team like UTSA, the Longhorns will be playing against a standard as much as against an opponent. If Texas is engaged and shoots the ball decently, the Longhorns should win by a large enough margin that the walk-ons will see the court.