Texas Longhorns Orange-White Scrimmage: Stats, Takeaways & Player Observations
AUSTIN, Texas -- For the first time since the Elite Eight this past March, the Texas Longhorns had their first action in front of fans during Tuesday's intrasquad scrimmage between Team Orange and Team White at Gregory Gym on UT's campus.
The Longhorns played two eight-minute halves, and Orange came out on top, 34-23.
Here are the lineups for each team:
White team
- Dylan Disu
- Chris Johnson
- Devon Pryor
- Ze'Rik Onyema
- Alex Anamekwe
- Chendall Weaver
- Preston Clark
- Jackson Prince
Orange team
- Kadin Shedrick
- Max Abmas
- Brock Cunningham
- Ithiel Horton
- Tyrese Hunter
- Cole Bott
- Gavin Perryman
- Dillon Mitchell
Shedrick and Disu were both team captains for their respective sides, but neither played as they continue to recover from injury. Disu (foot) and Shedrick (both shoulders) are both expected to be starters once healthy.
Dillon Mitchell talks to the media after the Orange-White scrimmage.
Zach Dimmitt, Longhorns SI
At immediate glance, the Orange team had a clear advantage on paper based on pure experience and talent, but it was ultimately a game-high 10 points and three blocks from Dillon Mitchell that proved to be the difference in the final score.
Here's a player-by-player recap:
Chris Johnson
Stats: 5 points, 6 assists, 2 of 7 shooting
With Horton, Abmas and Hunter all on the Orange Team, Johnson had the ball in his hands a ton and looked comfortable for a freshman. He had a impressive stretch during the second half of play, as he beat Abmas to the rim for an easy lay-in, found Onyema for a dunk on a slick left-handed dish off the bounce, hit an open three from the right wing, and connected with Pryor for a baseline layup all on consecutive possessions.
He led all players with six assists, which was one of the most impressive parts of the night from either side.
Dylan Disu
Stats: DNP
Still dealing with the foot issue that's bothered him since the end of last season, Disu dribbled off to the side during warmups. He would've had a major impact for Team White had he played.
Chendall Weaver
Stats: 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block 1 of 4 shooting
Weaver tried what appeared to be a 720 dunk during warmups that barely missed off the back iron. He showed off his athleticism during the game as well, as he wasn't afraid to challenge Mitchell at the rim, though succeeding at this is easier said than done. He scored his only points on a deep three right before the final buzzer of the scrimmage.
Johnson tried to connect with him on a reverse alley-oop from midcourt but the pass was a bit high. The potential of plays like this from guard to guard are what makes this backcourt so intriguing this season.
Max Abmas
Stats: 7 points, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 of 9 shooting
All eyes were on Abmas Tuesday, but his jumper was a bit off. He got to his spots in the mid-range, but had some uncharacteristic misses on a layup in transition and a few open triples. He led all players in shot attempts (nine) and made free throws (three), proving he clearly wasn't shying away from contact and getting off his shot.
This offensive aggression will eventually result in some high scoring numbers form the NCAA's current leading scorer.
Tyrese Hunter
Stats: 5 points, 3 assists, 2 of 5 shooting
Hunter was solid on both ends Tuesday. In the second half, he converted a contested off-the-dribble jumper from the elbow before getting to the rim for an and-one on the next possession. He then picked Weaver's pocket in the open court after the free throw.
If this short scrimmage is any indication, Hunter could be the more impactful primary ball handler with Abmas playing more at the 2, but that of course might differ from game to game. In reality, both guys will be handling the rock with any true “point guard” role being unofficial.
Kadin Shedrick
Stats: DNP
Shedrick warmed up with the Orange team but didn't play in the scrimmage. He appears closer to making a full return to action, though it's still unclear if he'll play in the season opener against Incarnate Word.
Ithiel Horton
Stats: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 of 6 shooting
Horton enters this season as one of the team's more intriguing players, and he showed why on Tuesday. A confident shooter that was playing aggressive on offense with the ball in his hands, Horton some surprising twitch and explosiveness both as a dribbler and out of the triple threat.
He was scoreless in the first half, but finally got hot late. His first points came on a pull-up triple off a screen before Abmas found him wide open at the top of the key for another 3 a few possessions later.
Horton will likely be the starting wing to begin the season and brings a ton of experience while doing so.
Dillon Mitchell
Stats: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 5 of 6 shooting
Mitchell was the star of Tuesday night, delivering highlight after highlight on both ends and giving fans an early look at how his outside game has improved.
He got back-to-back blocks on the game's first possession against Onyema and Weaver, and looked as bouncy as ever. He followed this up with a turnaroud jumped off the dribble, a tip-in off a missed Cunningham jumper, and then another turnaround jumper from the baseline.
He went quiet for a bit before coming alive in the second half with a tough-nosed and-one layup at the rim despite some great defense from Onyema and then a violent alley-oop off a baseline out-of-bounds pass from Hunter.
If Mitchell keeps this up during the season, there won't be any doubt about his NBA readiness once next offseason rolls around.
Devon Pryor
Stats: 4 points, 1 assist, 2 of 4 shooting
Pryor showed some insane athleticism and bounce during warmups. Look out for him to make a few highlights at the rim once he gets some playing time off the bench. The young guard trio of him, Weaver and Johnson gives Texas' backcourt a real exciting future with the inevitable departure of Hunter, Abmas and Horton next offseason.
He got free for a baseline lay-up before an easy two-handed dunk in transition off a steal a few minutes later. Pryor could be a sneaky contributor to the offense, it'll just depend on if the coaching staff feels he's ready for impact minutes as a freshman.
Ze'Rik Onyema
Stats: 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, 4 of 5 shooting,
Despite Mitchell's impressive night, Onyema was arguably just as good. He was an imposing force in the post, as the White Team's guard consistently fed him down low. He had four quick points at the start and a few powerful dunks for good measure.
He even showed flashes of an outside game by hitting a jumper off the dribble early in the scrimmage.
With Disu and Shedrick set to miss the start of the season, Onyema could prove to be one of the team's most important players.
Alex Anamekwe
Stats: 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 of 4 shooting
An underrated player to watch headed into this season, Anamekwe got a few looks in the midrange, and hit on one early. He was busy on the boards as well, using his solid length and frame to reel in the ball.
Anamekwe's ceiling to be an impact player is high. Once he finds a more definite role this year, he could be a solid depth piece after sitting the bench for most of last season.
Brock Cunningham
Stats: 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 of 3 shooting
It was a run-of-the-mill performance for the longtime Longhorn on Tuesday, as he did the dirty work with three steals and three fouls on defense while adding four offensive rebounds and six points on offense.
Cunningham will continue to be an invaluable piece for the team this season both on and off the court.
Gavin Perryman
Perryman got the most action out of the bench reserves, as he played for 2:29 of game action. However, he did not attempt a shot or register a stat. Look for him to get some occasional minutes off the bench this season if the game is in hand.
Preston Clark
Incomplete: Clark only saw 51 seconds of action and did not record anything on the stat sheet.
Cole Bott
Incomplete: Bott only saw 51 seconds of action and did not record anything on the stat sheet.
