Texas Longhorns Insider @Statesman | @Chron, @SInow Alum | Mediocre pickup point guard
Austin, TX
Joined August 2010
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📍Austin
I’m thrilled to begin covering all things Texas Longhorns for the Austin American-Statesman. Big thank you to the @statesman crew for bringing me aboard.
Texas fans, please follow along and DM me to say hello! I'm here at DKR today, can’t wait to get started.
Colin Simmons and Cam Coleman both WILL play Saturday night at LSU.
About as good of news as Steve Sarkisian could wish for on this week’s opening availability report.
Sean Miller shared the hopeful return timeline for injured PG Mikey Lewis today. St. Mary’s transfer fractured fifth metatarsal in right foot in September.
• Tomorrow is 6 weeks since surgery.
• Lewis should be cleared to walk without a boot “pretty soon.”
• Lewis should increase on-court activity after Texas’ trip to San Diego over Thanksgiving.
• Lewis could return to games at “full-speed as we enter late-December.”
I asked Sean Miller about Marcus Spears Jr.’s processing ability. Miller instead praised his 17-year-old freshman for being an “elite competitor.” Also noted Spears is “bigger and stronger,” in last six months.
“Sometimes you can only be so competitive and fierce if you’re so young. Those two things don’t necessarily equate to being a great competitor. Marcus has really done a great job of getting bigger and stronger. It really is happening before all of our eyes. If you had seen his body in May, and you look at him walking in the door today, he’s bigger, he’s stronger, and it’s allowed him to be more physical. But he came to us as a great competitor, and he’s just continued that.”
Full early assessment from Miller ⬇️
This may have been Marcus Spears Jr.’s best play last night vs. Grambling State. Moves toward the lane decisively, recognizes swarming coverage, adjusts + makes a perfect pass to Bo Ogden for 3.
Spears is among college hoops’ best athletes. He also diagnoses the game well.
🔗➡️ statesman.com/sports/longhor…
More from Sean Miller on Marcus Spears Jr.’s early work in Austin.
“He’s willing to learn from clips that we can show him where he did not do the right thing, he then will process that, he’ll really try hard to do it better. We’ve seen some great growth, especially on the defensive end of picking up concepts and being where he’s supposed to be. And, as you know, he’s very, very talented, so when he picks up concepts, all of a sudden, he makes better plays.”
“You’re going to see a lot of growth and development from him over these next couple of months.”
Texas is ranked No. 6 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Longhorns would host No. 11 Kentucky on Dec. 18 or Dec. 19 if season ended today.
statesman.com/sports/longhor…
New @statesman:
Marcus Spears Jr. will be tested sooner-or-later as a 17-year-old freshman. He’s yet to meet his match through three games at Texas, where he and a collection of freshman are off to a hot start on a deep Longhorns’ roster.
statesman.com/sports/longhor…
This may have been Marcus Spears Jr.’s best play last night vs. Grambling State. Moves toward the lane decisively, recognizes swarming coverage, adjusts + makes a perfect pass to Bo Ogden for 3.
Spears is among college hoops’ best athletes. He also diagnoses the game well.
🔗➡️ statesman.com/sports/longhor…
Now two threes tonight for Joe Sterling. Freshman from Los Angeles is going to be a major fan favorite this season.
#JoeCurry
Arch Manning says he’s maintained a goatee since Texas’ loss to Florida in mid-October. Texas center Connor Robertson on his baby-faced QB’s new facial hair amid a recent hot streak:
“He can’t shave it.”
🔗➡️ statesman.com/sports/longhor…
New @statesman:
How can Arch Manning emulate Texas’ quarterback GOATs with a magical run this winter? Start with a goatee.
statesman.com/sports/longhor…
New @statesman:
How can Arch Manning emulate Texas’ quarterback GOATs with a magical run this winter? Start with a goatee.
statesman.com/sports/longhor…
Texas LB Justin Cryer says he thinks Graceson Littleton made the right play sliding before he reached the end zone.
Added it was a “hot topic” in Texas’ locker room in recent days. Cryer joked defensive lineman (as you would assume) advocated for the score.
The goatee is still (somewhat) present for Arch Manning. Says current facial hair dates back to the Florida game in mid-October, doesn’t plan to shave before facing LSU.
Saturday’s game at LSU is the latest SEC game with family ties for Arch Manning. How does Manning manage the spotlight and history involved?
“I don’t think he gives a crap,” says Steve Sarkisian.
“I think Arch is immersed in this team. ... I just don't think he like gives that much time, energy, effort, thought [to that].”
Steve Sarkisian complimented Arch Manning for his touch + layering of the ball in recent weeks, especially at Missouri.
Said this was a “very confident, easy pass,” to Emmett Mosley V. Same came be said for wheel-route TD to Raleek Brown.
Steve Sarkisian says today he has “bigger fish to fry,” when asked about College Football Playoff expansion.
Sarkisian said late last month he hoped Playoff would expand to 24 teams before the SEC added nine conference game. He now gets his wish in that regard.
More ➡️ statesman.com/sports/longhor…
Breaking: The College Football Playoff and ESPN have signed a five-year, nearly $1.7 billion deal that will expand the field to 24 teams in 2027 with ESPN as its continued broadcast partner, sources told @CFBHeather.
Steve Sarkisian says he’s proud of Texas’ poise and composure on the road. Said Longhorns had just 16 hours to celebrate Texas’ win at Missouri before preparing for trip to LSU.
New @statesman:
Raleek Brown has two receiving TDs in the last two games. One 1-on-1 wheel route, one freebie out of the backfield. Both TDs represent growth in Arch Manning’s processing, as well as his relationship with his lead running back.
statesman.com/sports/longhor…
Steve Sarkisian with some self reflection on Raleek Brown's breakout:
"We became a little too receiver-centric as an offense. ... Everybody being involved helps the receivers be more explosive and find voids in the defense."
Mentioned Longhorns needed to return to jet sweeps, unbalanced formations, other wrinkles they’ve leaned on historically.
Arch Manning’s last 2 games:
44/58 (75.9%)
517 passing yards
6 passing touchdowns
Zero turnovers
Today was perhaps Arch’s best day at Texas considering opponent + circumstance. Handled pressure wonderfully, made money throws when needed.
Graceson Littleton got a little too smart there with his slide inside the 5-yard line, lol.
Oh well 🤷♂️ Texas is gonna win this one.