Chendall Weaver, Nic Codie can send Texas to the Elite Eight

We are on the eve of Texas’ Sweet Sixteen matchup against Purdue . It’s clear Purdue is the toughest challenge the Longhorns have had in the tournament thus far. The defense will have to continue upgrading on the defensive side of the ball. To me, that starts with two players: Chendall Weaver and Nic Codie . Those two could be the key to Texas returning to the Elite Eight for the second time in four years.

Let’s start with Chendall Weaver, because he might have the toughest task in college basketball: slowing down Braden Smith . Smith is one of the best passers in the history of the sport but also can turn it on scoring if the Boilermakers need it. Obviously, Tramon Mark , Jordan Pope and others will play a role here, but Weaver can fundamentally change this game for Texas.

It’s known that Weaver is the “energizer bunny” for this team. He’s a massive reason the Longhorns are still dancing and he’ll be a massive reason if they continue. He’s been impactful on both sides of the floor for Texas. Tomorrow, he needs to play the best defense of the season, and possibly of his career. If he can force some mistakes from Smith, make him take uncomfortable shots and generally keep him out of rhythm, there’s no reason Texas can’t win this game.

Moving down low to Nic Codie, he’s going to have to replicate his offensive and defensive performance against Gonzaga tomorrow. At any moment, Purdue will have two players on the floor that are very comfortable in the post. Whether it’s Kaufman-Renn, Cluff or Jacobsen, they’ll have multiple true big men to contend with. That means Nic Codie will have to play early and often in this game alongside Matas Vokietaitis.

Codie had 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block against Gonzaga. This time around, he will have the size disadvantage against the Purdue big men. Can he make up for it and still force them into tough shots? That’ll do plenty to decide the outcome of this game. Codie, like the entire team, has upped his game in the tournament but he’s staring down his toughest challenge tomorrow. If Texas is going to win, he has to rise to the occasion.

This Purdue team is so tough to defend because they have so many answers. Four or five different players can score in bunches, they have one of the best offensive engines in college basketball history and are shooting the three at an insane level. Obviously, Dailyn Swain , Matas Vokietaitis, Jordan Pope and Tramon Mark will have to lead the way but Weaver and Codie could end up deciding this game.

Slowing down Braden Smith will fall on the shoulders of Chendall Weaver plenty. I’m not sure there’s a Longhorns that fans would trust more with that challenge. The Purdue post game will present consistent challenges for Texas and Codie will be called on to handle those challenges. In a season that has been largely defined by the stars, it’s time for Weaver and Codie to etch their names into Texas basketball history.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas basketball defensive spotlight be on Weaver, Codie vs. Purdue