Rodney Terry addresses the impact Sir'Jabari Rice has on this Texas team

Texas‘ dominant 94-60 win over West Virginia was highlighted by the excellent play of sixth-man Sir’Jabari Rice off of the bench. Rice had a season-high 24 points against the Mountaineers, shooting efficiently from the field, the three-point line, and the free-throw line. He’s the Longhorns second leading scorer and following their win interim head coach Rodney Terry was asked if there could be a case made that Rice is the best sixth-man in the entire country.

“From the time we recruited Jabari our very first pitch to him was hey, we need a guy that wants to come in and just win at a high level like you’ve won and do whatever it takes for the team,” Terry explained. “And his pitch back was hey, I want to be at Texas and if it calls me coming off the bench I’ll do whatever and he’s had that attitude and that approach the entire time.”

This is Rice’s first year with Texas, transferring in this offseason after a four-year career with New Mexico State. He was a starter in every single game in his last two seasons with the Aggies, but in Austin, he’s assumed the role as the team’s scoring spark off the bench. He’s one of four Longhorns that averages double-digit points per game, averaging 11.7 points per game this season, and Terry made the case for why he could be the best bench player in the nation.

“And I think without a doubt he’s the best sixth-man in the best league in the country, and that makes him have a chance to be the best sixth-man in the country,” Terry said.

Terry makes a valid point, as the Big 12 currently is comprised of six teams ranked in the AP Top 25, including the Longhorns. Texas is currently the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 with an impressive 9-3 record in conference play, and it’s hard to deny that Rice has been a key contributor in their success, especially with is play recently.

“He’s really over the last three weeks has done a great job with this attitude and approach to practice and I thought it’s carried over in the games,” Terry said.

Rice has increased his scoring output significantly as of late scoring over 20 points in three of the Longhorns’ last five games, averaging 18.4 points per game during the stretch. He’s heating up at the right time with just six games remaining in the regular season, and if he can continue his impressive play for tournament time, it could be bad news for teams facing the Longhorns.