AUSTIN — If one were to use one emoji to describe the expectations for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at University of Texas, it would be the shoulder shrug.
Let’s begin with Shaka Smart’s Longhorns. Nevada eliminated a significant UT lead in their first round NCAA Tournament game and eliminated the Horns.
It was a season loaded with adversity including Andrew Jones’ mid-season leukemia diagnosis. Jones has returned and expects to contribute at some point this season. This after overcoming the effects of chemo treatments.
“He doesn't really let any obstacle take away from his enthusiasm to grow and get better,” Smart said.
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The Texas women’s basketball program is loaded with extremely young talent and are currently nursing some key injuries.
Liberty Hill’s McDonald’s All-American Sedona Prince fractured her leg while playing for Team USA this summer. But, her recovery is moving quickly and Texas head coach Karen Aston said, “She hasn’t been written off yet”.
In other words, Prince may surprise by playing this year as opposed to taking a red shirt season.
Junior forward Joyner Holmes is out indefinitely due to an ankle injury. Aston said there’s no timetable for Holmes’ return this season, but said “she is coming back.”
Texas lost to University of California Los Angeles in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament back in March.
Both Aston and Smart agreed that the football team’s success -- a 6-1 start this season -- is contagious.
“There is a vibe you get from the football team winning," said Aston.
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Smart was an assistant on Billy Donovan’s staff at Florida during the Gators' national title seasons in football.
“When football is doing well, everyone feels better in the building,” said Smart. “There’s also a winning mindset.”
Both the Texas men’s and women’s basketball teams will put on a preseason show for the fans at Gregory Gym.
