Texas was reeling against Penn State in the second round, its NCAA Tournament hopes on the ropes.
Trailing by three points, Marcus Carr knew exactly what to do — and who to go to. Forget the timeout strategy. For the Texas senior guard, it was all about making sure that Dylan Disu got the ball in a position to score.
As he’s done all postseason, Disu responded with six straight points and 10 points in the final 4:42 to finish with 28 points in a 71-66 win. Now No. 2 Texas (28-8) is preparing for its first Sweet 16 appearance in 15 years, facing No. 3 Xavier (27-9) Friday in the semifinals of the Midwest Region in Kansas City, Mo.
“Dylan was playing really well all night,” Carr said Thursday, recalling the moment. “He was knocking shots down from everywhere, hitting big baskets when we need them. I really just asked him where he wanted the ball, which play he wanted to run to a certain spot, and we went out there and we executed.”
Somehow, the 6-9 senior has transformed from a nice player on a veteran team into one of the most dominant players in the postseason. Stars frequently elevate in the tournament. Role players can have their moments.
But seldom do role players become stars for full tournament runs, like Disu has.
Consider: Disu was averaging 7.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 18.4 minutes while shooting 57.7% from the field entering the Big 12 tournament. In the five games since, he’s averaging 18.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 25.6 minutes while shooting an astronomical 72.2%.
Former Texas star Kevin Durant, a 13-time NBA All-Star, compared Disu to a “young LaMarcus Aldridge” in a tweet.
See y’all in the 16. Gameball goes to Dylan Disu, looked like a young Lamarcus Aldridge out there. Let’s get it @TexasMBB
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) March 19, 2023
Disu has found a sweet spot with a one-hand push shot to go with some patient but effective post moves.
“I don’t know who the best team we played all year is, but I do know that we’ve never played against a big man with that type of touch,” Penn State guard Seth Lundy said. “I don’t remember him missing not one floater. He would do it from 10 feet, 15 feet, 5 feet. He made it every single time.”
As he has throughout the postseason, Disu has pretty much verbally shrugged and heaped praise on his teammates when asked about his performance.
“It means a lot,” Disu said. “Everyone has dreams of showing up in March Madness, but I couldn’t do it without my teammates.”
Actually, this has been more of a dream deferred for Disu. He grew up in nearby Pflugerville as a Longhorn fan, watching Texas players like D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams.
But he was a late developing big man in high school, and former Texas coach Shaka Smart already had future NBA front-court prospects like Jaxson Hayes, Kai Jones and Jericho Sims.
Disu wound up at Vanderbilt where he actually led the SEC in rebounding as sophomore, putting up a monster 29-point, 16-rebound game against Kentucky. A knee injury late in 2020-21 ended his season and delayed his start as a transfer at Texas. Disu averaged just 3.7 points last season.
Then came the turnaround few saw coming.
In hindsight, coach Rodney Terry points to a game at TCU late in the regular season, with Texas seeking the Big 12 title. Texas trailed by 12 at halftime. Terry wasn’t pleased with his players, and said so. Among the group was Disu, who had missed some easy shots early in the game.
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“He was one of those guys that was challenged at a very high level,” Terry said. “I think from that point on it’s been over. He’s like, ‘Coach, I’m going to show you. I’m going to do my part with it,’ and he’s done that.
“He’s really responded. He responded in that game at an incredible level. He had a great second half. And really the rest has been history in terms of where I think he’s gone in postseason play.”
Twitter: @ChuckCarltonDMN
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