Inside Texas Today: Beard on his 2022 class, Hossler in second after round one

On3 imageby:Joe Cook03/04/22

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Welcome to Inside Texas Today! Each weekday morning, Inside Texas Today will provide the latest news and notes from around the Forty Acres, including notable events, player honors, and where to watch Longhorn sports that day.

Here’s the Friday, March 4, 2022 edition.

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Chris Beard, Marcus Carr on signees Arterio Morris, Dillon Mitchell

Though the season finale at Kansas is on Texas head coach Chris Beard’s mind, he took time on Thursday to discuss his interactions with members of his 2022 recruiting class.

Texas’ class has three members, with Dallas (Texas) Kimball’s Arterio Morris and Montverde (Fla.) Academy’s Dillon Mitchell already signed. Northfield (Mass.) Mount Hermon’s Rowan Brumbaugh is committed but gave his pledge to the program outside of a signing window.

(Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Mitchell is On3’s No. 2 overall prospect while Morris is ranked as the No. 24 prospect in the country. Both are considered five-star prospects according to the On3 Consensus. Beard was asked Thursday about his signees (since Brumbaugh is unsigned, he was unable to mention him during his response).

“We pay a lot of attention to them,” Beard said. “We get a chance to watch them play almost every game with everything being Zoom and video and stuff. I think the most impressive things are both guys are winning. Both guys are still playing basketball at this time of year and both guys still have a chance to win championships with their teams.”

Texas guard Marcus Carr graduated from Montverde Academy in 2017, but still keeps track of what’s going on at his alma mater. That includes watching the work of Mitchell, who was recently named a Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School second-team All-American.

“Dillon is a great young player,” Carr said. “Coach (Kevin) Boyle always does a great job with guys who come through, and Dillon is no different. Obviously he’s super talented in his own regard, and to see him do some of the things that he’s done on that stage, and elevate himself and his game, it’s been pretty special to see.”

None of the talks Beard has with his signees are about the future, at least not yet. Their discussions of late are all about their current prep programs.

“I think above all, we encourage those guys to live where their feet are and enjoy the season they’re having right now,” Beard said. “We don’t talk much about next year, or Texas, or things like that. It’s those guys playing for Montverde, playing for Kimball, and trying to win state championships.”

Beard acknowledged Thursday they are still scouring the country for additional high school prospects, in addition to the work they’ll do in the portal following the season. A need remains for a big for next season, plus whoever pops up in the portal that Beard determines to be a program fit.

Morris and the Knights play Friday versus Lufkin in the UIL 5A Region II semifinals at the Culwell Center in Garland. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. The winner plays in the regional final Saturday at 1 p.m.

Montverde will contend in the upcoming Geico National Championships.

Hossler two back of McIlroy after first-round 67

Former Texas men’s golfer Beau Hossler has yet to win a tournament on the PGA Tour since turning professional in 2016. He finished second to Ian Poulter at the Houston Open in 2018 after triple bogeying the first playoff hole. On Thursday, Hossler put himself in good position to enter the weekend in contention for his first professional win.

Hossler shot -5 (67) on Thursday in the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Fla. He’s two back of Rory McIlroy, who shot -7 in the first round. Joining him in second place after opening-round 67s were J.J. Spaun and Billy Horschel.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Beginning his round on hole No. 10, Hossler tallied six birdies and one bogey, with his only above-par hole coming at the par-3 14th. He’s is scheduled to tee off his second round from hole No. 1 at 6:10 a.m. Central with Patrick Rodgers and Peter Malnati.

McIlroy tees off at 11:57 a.m.

Texas viewing for 3/4

Baseball – Tennessee – Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic – Houston, Texas – Minute Maid Park – 7 p.m. – MLBN/ATTSN SW/Astros.com

Softball – at Alabama – T-Mobile Crimson Classic – Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Rhoads Stadium – 6 p.m. – SECN+

Men’s swimming and diving – American Short Course Championships – Austin, Texas – Jamail Texas Swimming Center

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