Chris Beard reveals big sacrifice ahead of 2021-22 season

First-year Texas basketball coach Chris Beard is making major sacrifices this season. The former Texas Tech coach is asking players and coaches to give up something of value throughout the year, hoping to build team chemistry. According to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Beard chose to give up beer.

This offseason, Beard has assembled one of the country’s top teams. By pillaging the transfer portal, Texas has built an instant super-team, featuring many players who will take on a decreased roll.

Following his visit to Austin visit, Rothstein also offered a projected starting five. Minnesota transfer Marcus Carr, returning guards Courtney Ramey and Andrew Jones, Utah transfer Timmy Allen and UMass transfer Tre Mitchell earned his top spots.

With that group on the floor, the Longhorns bench remains stocked with talent. The projected reserved include Vanderbilt transfer Dylan Disu, Kentucky transfer Devin Askew, Creighton transfer Christian Bishop and On3 100 four-star recruit Jaylon Tyson.

Texas also brings back 2020 contributors Brock Cunningham and Jase Febres, who averaged 15.2 minutes and 16.9 minutes, respectively.

The Longhorns project as one of the best teams this season. Chris Beard’s first team includes seven players that averaged double figures in scoring in 2020-21, requiring sacrifice. Five players on the Texas Longhorns’ roster were named all-conference a season ago.

Updates on Texas lineup

Texas Longhorns head coach Chris Beard offered an update on Vanderbilt transfer forward Dylan Disu who missed the end of the Commodores’ season after undergoing surgery for a knee injury.

“Texas’ Dylan Disu (knee) has yet to participate in a regular 5-on-5 practice, but still could be ready for the first week of the season, per Chris Beard,” CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein said. “Transfer from Vanderbilt.”

Disu finished the 2020-2021 season with averages of 15.0 points per game and an SEC-leading 9.2 rebounds. Originally from the state of Texas, Dylan Disu was a three-star recruit in the 2019 recruiting class.

Texas point guard Marcus Carr has also been officially cleared to play for the Longhorns, according to Jon Rothstein. The new addition for Texas previously played at both Minnesota and Pittsburgh.

Carr racked up numerous pre-season awards and honors for the Longhorns. He expects to make a splash in a big way for their roster this season.

Carr played and started all 60 games during his time with Minnesota. The 6-2, 195-pounder averaged 17.4 points per game and 5.8 assists per game for the Golden Gophers. His 5.8 assists per game currently ranks first in Golden Gopher basketball history. The talented point guard also posted a 2.32 assist-to-turnover ratio while at Minnesota.