Tag: longhorns news

Where Texas basketball lands in ESPN’s way-too-early top 25

Chris Beard appears to have Texas heading in the right direction.

The 2021-22 college basketball season came to an end on Monday night as Kansas cut down the nets after a thriller against North Carolina. Although we are over six months away from a new season of college basketball, it’s always a good time to look ahead to next year.

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello created his way-too-early top 25 rankings for the 2022-23 season. Texas comes in at No. 22 after an up and down season that finished with a loss to Purdue in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Predicting what Texas’ roster will look like at this point is no easy task, the Longhorns roster faces lots of question marks entering the offseason.

Timmy Allen, Marcus Carr, Andrew Jones, Courtney Ramey and Jase Febres are all seniors. Christian Bishop is the only projected returnee who averaged more than 3.7 points per game. But there’s some optimism in Austin. Dylan Disu should be healthier next season up front; he was a double-double threat every night at Vanderbilt, and Chris Beard will be hoping he’ll return to form. The Longhorns are also welcoming two five-star recruits on the perimeter, with playmaking guard Arterio Morris and explosive Dillon Mitchell entering the fold. Mitchell is a legitimate one-and-done prospect who makes his biggest impact defensively and in transition.

The NBA draft, transfer portal and recruiting ranks can drastically change the outlook of the roster. Chris Beard has proven he can build a roster in one offseason and will be tasked to do so again.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

TCU DE transfer Ochaun Mathis set to take official visit to Nebraska

Mathis is one of Texas’ top remaining targets from the transfer portal.

One of Texas’ top remaining transfer targets will be heading up to Nebraska for an official visit. Former TCU defensive end Ochaun Mathis is one of the best overall players still available in the transfer portal.

On Feb. 17, Mathis narrowed down his list of potential schools to five. Texas, USC, Ole Miss, Penn State and Nebraska all made the cut.

Texas received the first of Mathis’ visits as he made the quick trip to Austin for an unofficial on March 6. Mathis was able to check out the campus and reunite with his former head coach Gary Patterson, who is now on the Texas staff.

Mathis will likely check out a few more schools from his top five before making a final decision. Texas is squarely in the mix and considered the favorite by many.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Report: Texas basketball has reached out to WVU transfer Sean McNeil

Texas is looking to add one of the best shooters in the Big 12.

West Virginia graduate transfer Sean McNeil is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal.

On3Sports reports McNeil has heard from over 20 programs within one night after entering the portal. Notables include Ohio State, Virginia, Indiana, Clemson and Texas.

Inconsistent shooting proved to be a major issue for the Longhorns in 2021-22. Adding one of the most accomplished sharp-shooters in the Big 12 would be a huge plus for Texas’ offense next season.

McNeil shot an impressive 37% from beyond the arch in his three seasons at West Virginia, finishing with over 900 points in 89 games played. He does a great job on the catch-and-shoot along with a good feel for creating his own shot.

Chris Beard recruited McNeil out of high school during his time at Texas Tech. Texas fans are hoping Beard can work his transfer portal magic yet again.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Texas Basketball: Christian Bishop returning for 2022 season

Big news for Texas basketball!

Just days after an emotional season-ending loss to Purdue, Texas basketball has received fantastic news as staring forward Christian Bishop announced his intentions to return for another season. A big win for Chris Beard and his staff.

Bishop really came into his own down the stretch of the season after Tre Mitchell’s departure in early Feb. He scored in double figures in each of Texas’ two NCAA tournament games.

Keeping Bishop in the fold is a major plus for Texas’ frontcourt next year. Dylan Disu did not play at 100% for most of the season while Texas lost Mitchell and Jaylon Tyson midseason. Five-star Dillon Mitchell should provide an in-flux of talent at the position.

It remains to be seen how many of his teammates join Bishop in coming back, but this is a good sign Chris Beard has the program heading in the right direction.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Texas Basketball: Five best wins of the regular season

Take a look back at the five best wins of the regular season.

The 2021-2022 regular season was a bit of a roller coaster for Texas basketball. The Horns began the season in the top-five before quickly falling outside of the rankings completely.

Texas fought back and finished the season with a 21-11 record, good enough to climb into the rankings at No. 25. This marked the first time since 2015 where Texas won 20 games in the regular season.

Texas faced lots of adversity throughout much of the season but steadily improved to finish No. 4 in a strong Big 12 conference and earn a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Last season ended with a heartbreaking upset to Abilene Christian in the first round. Chris Beard hopes the challenging regular season has helped prepare the Horns for the big dance. Texas is looking for the programs first tournament win in seven seasons.

Before Texas takes on Virginia Tech in the first round of March Madness on Friday, let us look back at the Longhorns five best wins of the regular season.

WATCH: Texas coach Vic Schaefer hopes to see ten thousand fans for senior night

Vic Schaefer is calling for more fans to support his team.

Texas women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer has been very adamant about improving fan attendance at games. Saturday’s matchup against Oklahoma State will be the final regular-season game of the year as well as senior night for the Horns.

Schaefer made a deal with the Longhorn community that he will donate $10,000 to the Neighborhood Longhorns Progam if at least 10,000 fans attend Saturday’s game.

The Longhorns are having a fanatic season with a record of 22-6, ranked No. 9 in the nation. Schaefer believes his squad deserves more dedication from the fan base. Texas ranks outside the top 30 in overall attendance.

Saturday’s game will also be the last regular season basketball game at the Frank Erwin Center. Both the men’s and women’s basketball programs will move over to the new Moody Center for the 2022-23 season.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Texas offers four-star EDGE Desmond Umeozulu from Maryland

Desmond is the cousin of Texas offensive line signee Neto Umeozulu and top 2024 target Zina Umeozulu. 

Texas went to the east coast to offer 2023 four-star edge rusher Desmond Umeozulu on Monday afternoon.

That last name should sound familiar to Longhorn fans. Desmond is the cousin of Texas offensive line signee Neto Umeozulu and top 2024 target Zina Umeozulu.

247Sports composite ranks Desmond as the No. 4 player in the state of Maryland and a top 300 prospect nationally.

Colleges all over the country love his upside as a player. He has picked up over 33 offers from big name programs such as Georgia, Clemson, Oklahoma, Ohio State and now Texas.

Umeozulu has a very projectable 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame that should play well at the next level. He helped lead C.H. Flowers High School to an impressive 11-2 season and a state semifinal appearance in his junior year.

Check out Umezulu’s full junior season highlight tape here:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=none image=https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Report: Texas to hire former FAU WR coach Joey Thomas to an analyst role

Steve Sarkisian is taking a Nick Saban approach in bringing analysts to Texas’ staff.

Adding more experience and bright coaching minds to the staff has been a point of emphasis for Steve Sarkisian and Texas this offseason.

Sark hired former TCU headman Gary Patterson as the special assistant to the head coach. It appears Patterson was just the tip of the iceberg.

Texas is reportedly in talks to bring on former Duke head coach and quarterback guru David Cutcliffe to the staff in an off-field analyst role.

Brandon Huffman of 247Sports reported on Monday that Texas has hired former FAU wide receivers coach Joey Thomas to an analyst role. Thomas will flip to the defensive side of the ball where he will work with Texas’ defensive backs.

Thomas played cornerback at Montana State in his collegiate career under Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwaitkowisk. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers and went on to play seven years of professional ball.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Texas holds steady at No. 20 in the latest AP Top 25

Texas has another huge week ahead of them.

Texas remains at No. 20 in the AP Poll Top 25 after splitting games against top 10 competition.

Here is a full look at the latest top 25 poll that was released on Monday.

  1. Gonzaga
  2. Auburn
  3. Arizona
  4. Kentucky
  5. Purdue
  6. Kansas
  7. Baylor
  8. Providence
  9. Duke
  10. Villanova
  11. Texas Tech
  12. Illinois
  13. UCLA
  14. Houston
  15. Wisconson
  16. Tennessee
  17. USC
  18. Ohio State
  19. Michigan State
  20. Texas
  21. Murray State
  22. Wyoming
  23. Arkansas
  24. UCONN
  25. Alabama

The Longhorns are still a difficult team to figure out. They beat No. 6 Kansas in dramatic fashion before getting blown out on the road at No. 7 Baylor.

Up next is another difficult week starting off with a trip to arch-rival Oklahoma, who is playing much better basketball of late. Texas will then welcome in No. 11 Texas Tech to Austin for a massive rematch.

A 2-0 week would be an excellent boost for Texas’ NCAA tournament resume. ESPN has the Horns on the brink of a No. 4 seed as it stands today.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

No. 20 Texas suffers an ugly 80-63 loss to No. 10 Baylor

Texas had no answer for Baylor’s sharp shooting offense.

Texas had no answer for the sharp-shooting Baylor offense on Saturday. The Bears controlled the game for the jump, taking down the Horns 80-63.

The Bears dominated all portions of the game. They shot 50% for the field compared to Texas’ 32%, won the rebound battle by double digits and went 22-27 from the free-throw line.

All five Baylor starters scored in double figures, led by junior guard Adam Flager with 20.

Texas got back into the game in the second with an 8-0 run that cut the Baylor lead to 12. The Bears responded quickly, hitting their next three shots and never looking back.

With the win, Baylor moves into second place in the Big 12 while Texas drops down the fourth.

Up next for Texas is a road trip to Norman to take on their arch-rival Sooners. Texas got the better of Oklahoma in the first matchup between the two, 66-52.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.