Tag: big 12 basketball

Texas falls to No. 5 UCONN in Empire Classic, 81-71

Texas fought hard against UCONN but it wasn’t enough.

The Texas basketball program endured its first loss of the 2023-24 season. The loss came at the hands of last season’s national champion in the No. 5 UCONN Huskies.

There’s no shame in losing to a program of Connecticut’s pedigree, but it is a missed opportunity. There aren’t many out-of-conference tests on the Longhorns’ schedule, so the game could be viewed as one that got away. Such perspective doesn’t give adequate respect to the challenge Texas faced on Monday.

The Longhorns were undersized on the night, and it didn’t help that they had to face one of the biggest players in college basketball. Connecticut center Donovan Clingan towered over the Texas front line standing at 7-foot-2.

While Clingan’s height presented issues for the Longhorns, it was the Huskies’ well rounded forward Alex Karaban who did the most damage. Karaban shot 8-for-14 from the field with four three-point baskets and 20 points to lead UCONN in scoring.

Texas had a solid enough day offensively shooting 45.2% from the field and 76.9% from the free throw line. It will still need to improve to reach the level that Connecticut is playing at right now.

The Longhorns will next take on the Wyoming Cowboys on Nov. 26.

No. 19 Texas basketball wins thriller over Louisville, 81-80

Texas basketball will next face No. 5 UCONN after defeating Louisville in the Empire Classic.

The Texas Longhorns basketball team won on Sunday afternoon. The nation’s No. 19 team (4-0) defeated the Louisville Cardinals (2-2) to win their first game in the Saatva Empire Classic.

The game will not likely go down as a signature win later this year given Louisville won only four games last season. It’s still a huge early win for a team looking to gel with several new players.

The Longhorns looked good in a handful of areas. Virginia transfer forward Kaden Shedrick is proving better than expected when Texas brought him over through the transfer portal. Shedrick made a couple of highlight plays on his way to a career high 27-point game.

True to form, Texas forward Brock Cunningham made huge plays around the basket. Late in the game, Cunningham blocked a close range attempt to keep the Longhorns within striking distance of a win.

After a missed Shedrick free throw while trailing 77-76 with under two minutes left, the veteran forward grabbed a rebound and drew a foul. Cunningham knocked down the free throws.

On the following possession after a Louisville three by transfer guard Skyy Clark, Texas forward Dillon Mitchell crashed the boards to grab a rebound before being fouled.

Though the team was unable to capitalize on much of its all-out effort, it was hustle plays that got Texas back into the game. Down by one point, a defensive scramble for the ball led to a Louisville shot clock violation with 7.9 seconds. Out of a sideline inbound, Texas guard Max Abmas promptly hit a game-winning fadeaway jumper with 0.4 seconds left.

The team is off to a hot start. It will continue to push for more wins in nonconference play. The Longhorns will next face the defending national champions and No. 5 ranked UCONN Huskies in the Empire Classic.

LOOK: Photos from Texas’ season-opening win over Incarnate Word

Newcomers made an immediate impact in Texas’ 88-56 win over Incarnate Word on Monday night.

No. 18 Texas got off to a hot start to the 2023-24 men’s basketball season. Continue reading “LOOK: Photos from Texas’ season-opening win over Incarnate Word”

Texas basketball lands commitment from four-star PF Nic Codie

Texas lands a big commitment from four-star Nic Codie.

Texas basketball keeps getting better. Continue reading “Texas basketball lands commitment from four-star PF Nic Codie”

Texas basketball survives upset scare in exhibition with St. Edward’s

Texas worked through trouble to win its exhibition with Division II St. Edward’s.

Texas avoided disappointment on Monday. After trailing Division II squad St. Edward’s at half, the Longhorns turned on the jets to win the exhibition, 84-63.

Texas guard Tyrese Hunter led the offense with 22 points and nine assists. Hunter had an up-and-down season last year but flashed ability on occasion. If his performance is a sign of things to come, the Longhorns offense could be dangerous.

Oral Roberts transfer guard Max Abmas scored 18 points followed by 14 points from second-year forward Dillon Mitchell.

Abmas shared his thoughts on what makes exhibition games like these so important.

“These early games are going to be us continuing to build that chemistry, continuing to figure out what spots each of us likes from the first two games. I think we’re continuing to learn that it’s only going to get better as the year goes on.”

Texas head coach Rodney Terry already faces pressure despite giving the program its best postseason showing since 2009. He modeled the steady confidence the team needs from the head coaching position in the scrimmage.

Terry spoke to what presented the team challenges early.

“We knew they were a really good shooting team. They were going to really challenge us to sit down, stay in stance, and really try to go hard. They got off to a great start shooting the basketball at a good clip and they showed us down in transition.”

You can expect more suspense over the course of the season. We certainly have concerns over whether or not this roster is as good as it was a year ago. Nevertheless, Terry found ways to win big games last year. Perhaps he has what it takes to do it again this season.

Texas forward Dillon Mitchell projects as key to team success

Texas hopes Mitchell flourishes in his second season in Austin.

Texas basketball is around the corner. The team starts its season with Incarnate Word on Nov. 6. One particular player figures to play a key role in the season.

Forward Dillon Mitchell is perhaps the biggest variable for the upcoming season. The sophomore came to Texas as the No. 2 small forward and No. 8 player in the 2022 recruiting class. The class produced several productive players in Alabama’s Brandon Miller, Baylor’s Keyonte George and Duke’s Kyle Filipowski among others.

Mitchell has yet to produce at those players’ level in his time at Texas. The sophomore forward averaged 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds last season. The lower averages might be indicative of less opportunities because of the veteran roster around him. Now, much of that roster has left Austin and it’s Mitchell’s time to perform.

Texas is going to need him. There’s a significant void left by some of last season’s top scorers in Timmy Allen, Marcus Carr and Sir’Jabari Rice. With the opportunity ahead, we could see significant breakout from Mitchell. He will look to put it all together as the season starts.

Big 12 Commish Brett Yormark: ‘Nothing imminent’ on further expansion

Big 12 commissioner dishes on expansion and future schedule at conference basketball media days.

The Big 12 is already looking at the future of their college basketball product beyond the upcoming season. Beginning in 2024-25 the conference will add Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah while Oklahoma and Texas head off to the SEC.

The idea is that the conference will play a 20-game schedule in men’s basketball and an 18-game schedule in women’s basketball. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yorkmark discussed scheduling for future seasons at media days in Kansas City. According to the commish, “scheduling and travel are a major priority for the conference.”

The Big 12 will try to keep competitive balance and rivalries at the forefront when the league expands to 16 teams next season. There has been plenty of chatter about the possibility of adding a 17th team to the mix for all sports outside of football. Gonzaga has been mentioned among the Big 12’s shortlist but Yormark states that “there’s nothing imminent” when it comes to adding the basketball power to an already strong basketball conference.

“I do explore all options that come to me, and if it creates value for membership both short- and long-term, we’re going to explore it even more.” – Yormark

As far as the upcoming season, all 14 teams will begin conference play on Jan. 6. Big 12 play will conclude on Mar. 9 and the conference tournament will top off at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Mar. 12. The same day that the women’s Big 12 tournament will conclude.

Texas Basketball: Looking at the biggest games of the 2023-24 season

Texas has exciting matchups in basketball heading into the upcoming season.

The Texas basketball season is under a month away. The Longhorns will look to match last season’s terrific results after reaching the regional finals of their bracket.

This team is going to look different. While Dylan Disu, Dillon Mitchell, Tyrese Hunter and Brock Cunningham are among last season’s contributors, more than half of the team’s most integral players from last season are gone.

Oral Roberts guard Max Abmas and Virginia forward Kadin Shedrick stand as the big headliners from the Longhorns’ portal class. After averaging over 21 points and four assists last season, expect Abmas to be a major part of this year’s team.

The Longhorns are going to face several big matchups in the 2023-24 season. Here’s a look at some of the team’s biggest games.

Texas basketball predicted No. 3 in Big 12 preseason rankings

The Texas Longhorns will look to duplicate some of last season’s successes on the basketball court.

It’s a new day in Texas basketball. The program gets ready to embark on its first full season with head coach Rodney Terry following a Big 12 Tournament title and Elite Eight appearance.

There’s a stability and security we haven’t seen from the program since the days of former head coach Rick Barnes. There’s a proven track record on which Texas can depend.

Terry and company got the job done in big games last season after weathering an early season storm with former head coach Chris Beard. Terry carried the program out of chaos to among college basketball’s elite. Yet after losing several key players, a new challenge stands ahead of Texas.

The Longhorns will take the court without Marcus Carr, Sir’Jabari Rice, Timmy Allen, Arterio Morris and Christian Bishop among others. With that, the team loses the majority of its production from last season.

The team will, however, return its best post scorer in Dylan Disu who shined in the back half of the season. Texas also brings back point guard Tyrese Hunter and key forwards in Brock Cunningham and Dillon Mitchell.

A late portal haul helped the team add more scorers and defensive pieces to the roster. Oral Roberts’ Max Abmas stands as the team’s prized portal addition after leading his squad in back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. Abmas averaged 21.9 points and 4.0 assists last season.

Virginia transfer Kadin Shedrick is set to give Texas a defensive post presence. He is joined by UT-Arlington guard transfer Chendall Weaver and UTEP forward addition Ze’Rik Onyema. Expectations should be lower for the latter two players, though their contribution could prove essential.

It’s unclear what to expect from the team. Certainly, it’s unrealistic to expect Texas will move as cohesively as last season where several players were already in place. Nevertheless, the new-look Longhorns have a ton of potential. If last year is any indication, head coach Rodney Terry will maximize their performance and win when it matters.

Texas tips off against Incarnate Word on Nov. 6 with big tests against Louisville and Shaka Smart’s Marquette later in nonconference play.

Texas basketball comes in at No. 20 in CBS Sports’ Top 25

The Longhorns are coming off their best season on the court since 2008.

The Longhorns are coming off their best season on the court since 2008 despite the major distractions from the Chris Beard incident. Continue reading “Texas basketball comes in at No. 20 in CBS Sports’ Top 25”