Tag: texas basketball

Texas Longhorns basketball lands commitment from elite FG John

Texas Basketball secures 4-star PF John Clark, adding elite talent and versatility to strengthen the 2025 class and impact their SEC future.

Highly-rated Bellaire (Houston, TX) power forward John Clark announced his commitment to the Texas Longhorns. The four-star prospect, standing at 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds, chose the Longhorns over offers from Houston, Texas A&M, and Kansas, according to a Nov. 1 report from On3.

Clark’s commitment gives Texas an elite talent with significant upside in the front court, providing athleticism, versatility, and a powerful inside presence. Ranked No. 35 in the nation for the 2025 class by the On3 Industry Ranking, Clark is also rated as the eighth-best power forward and the third-highest recruit from Texas.

Projections from On3 had Clark slight interest in Houston, Texas A&M and Oklahoma. He also had an offer from LSU that he was projected unlike to take. Ultimately the Longhorns were the right choice for him. He will join the Longhorns in their second season as Southeastern conference members, his decision was fueled by the atmosphere and feel of the program.

“The school felt like home more than any of the other schools recruiting me. The coaches, players, the alum and the campus are things that I want to be a part of.”

Clark had multiple visits to Texas, including an official trip in September. He told 247 Sports earlier that strong connections with the coaching staff and the proximity to home as key factors in his decision to join the Longhorns.

Clark’s long-term potential under Terry’s guidance with the Longhorns is exceptionally promising. His athletic profile, combined with his two-way versatility, positions him as a key contributor for Texas in the years to come. Clark’s size, skill, and defensive agility offer the Longhorns a dynamic front court presence capable of impacting the game on both ends.

Texas’ initial SEC basketball schedule revealed for 2024-25

The Longhorns know their opponents in first SEC basketball season.

The SEC basketball schedule is out. The Texas Longhorns know who they will face in their first season in the new conference.

Texas faithful will get to see the Longhorns host the Arkansas Razorbacks, Oklahoma Sooners and Texas A&M Aggies at home and on the road in the upcoming season. The rivalry selections are a credit to the SEC in giving home-and-home matchups for rivals within the league.

Interestingly enough, the Longhorns will get to host the both the Kentucky Wildcats and Alabama Crimson Tide. Kentucky, arguably a Top 3 college basketball program, has never played against Texas in Austin. Alabama reached the Final Four last season.

Former Texas head coach Rick Barnes and the Tennessee Volunteers battle Texas in Austin after the Volunteers eliminated the Longhorns in the NCAA Tournament.

Another former head coach Chris Beard will not return to Moody with the Ole Miss Rebels. The Longhorns will play Ole Miss in Oxford. Even so, with Texas seeing most of its most anticipated opponents at home, there’s plenty to be excited about in a first season in the SEC.

Oregon State transfer Jordan Pope commits to Texas Longhorns basketball

Sophomore guard Jordan Pope is transferring to Texas to play for the Longhorns in 2024-25.

On3Sports reported Wednesday that sophomore guard Jordan Pope, who averaged 17.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for Oregon State in 2023-24, is transferring to Texas to play for the Longhorns in 2024-25. Continue reading “Oregon State transfer Jordan Pope commits to Texas Longhorns basketball”

Texas Longhorns men’s basketball given 40-1 odds to win 2025 National Championship

The Longhorns are coming off a 21-13 (9-9 Big 12) season as they embark on their first season of competition in the SEC in 2024-25.

BetOnline gave the Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team 40-1 odds to win the 2025 NCAA National Championship. Continue reading “Texas Longhorns men’s basketball given 40-1 odds to win 2025 National Championship”

Texas women’s basketball ranked No. 2 in ESPN’s way-too-early Top 25

The Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team has great expectations heading into its first season of SEC competition in 2024-25.

The Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team has great expectations heading into its first season of SEC competition in 2024-25. Continue reading “Texas women’s basketball ranked No. 2 in ESPN’s way-too-early Top 25”

Texas commit Tre Johnson shines in McDonalds All-American game

Tre Johnson showcases three-point range in McDonald’s All-American game.

Texas guard commit Tre Johnson is a threat from the three-point line. That much is evident from his performance at the McDonald’s All-American game.

In the game, Johnson stepped into a fast break three-pointer off the dribble to sink the long range basket for his team. The shot prompted the broadcast crew to comment on his long range shooting ability. The broadcaster gave the following analysis.

“He has an NBA scoring package. He knows how to get to his spots, he’s got great footwork, he’s got range, he’s got the pull-up.”

The above description of the Houston prospect bodes well for a Texas team that needs all of the above qualities from its wing players next season. The Longhorns lacked those qualities on the court in 2024. Johnson will likely need help from veteran portal additions to improve Texas from its last campaign, but has the skill set to make an impact for the team right away.

Texas will determine the right role for the Houston native as he works with the team this offseason.

Texas Longhorns women’s basketball falls to NC State in Elite Eight

Whenever it looked like the Longhorns were in striking distance, North Carolina State’s Aziaha James hit another three-pointer.

Whenever it looked like the Longhorns were in striking distance, North Carolina State’s Aziaha James hit another three-pointer. Continue reading “Texas Longhorns women’s basketball falls to NC State in Elite Eight”

Defense leads Longhorns past Gonzaga in women’s Sweet 16

A stifling defense propelled the No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns past the No. 4 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs 69-47 in Sweet 16 action Friday.

Three Texas Longhorns women’s basketball players scored in double figures as a stifling defense propelled the No. 1 seed Longhorns past the No. 4 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs 69-47 in Sweet 16 action Friday at the Moda Center.

Aaliyah Moore led Texas with 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while battling injury throughout the contest.

Shaylee Gonzales added 15 points while Shay Holle registered 12 points.

The Longhorns used a 10-0 run to take a 14-7 lead just past the halfway mark of the first quarter. Madison Booker picked up her second foul with 2:38 remaining in the first quarter and was held to two points in the first half. Moore picked up the slack, leading Texas with nine points in the half.

Texas ended the half on a 10-2 run to lead 37-18. The Longhorns held Gonzaga to 14% from the field with only three field goals made.

Gonzales made a three pointer to halt a 9-0 Zags run in the third to get Texas a 44-29 lead. The Longhorns stretched the lead out to 19, 54-35, at the end of the third.

Texas held Gonzaga to 26.5% from the field in the game.

The Longhorns will face No. 3 NC State in the Elite Eight on Sunday.

247Sports looks at the top wing players in the transfer portal

Texas has plenty of options among wing players in the transfer portal for 2024.

The Texas Longhorns enter a critical time in transfer portal recruiting. The team gets a head start on NCAA tournament teams still playing. They need to capitalize.

The wing position was lacking for the Longhorns when they last took the court. Texas whiffed in the portal at the position last offseason and failed to stretch defenses to the three point line. Frankly, it didn’t get much scoring in general from the position.

A handful of impactful shooting guards and small forwards are in the portal. 247Sports’ Eric Bossi looked at a few who could make an immediate impact for their next team.

Bossi started his list with USC’s Kobe Johnson. The Pac-12 all-defensive team pick was compared to Kansas’ Kevin McCuller who went for 18 points, six rebounds and four assists per game this season.

Andrej Stojakovic, son of former NBA player Peja Stojokovic, also makes the list after leaving Stanford. Stojakovic put up 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest as a freshman. At 6-foot-7, he has the requisite height to add length to the Texas starting lineup as it moves to the SEC.

As three-point shooting specialists go, Oklahoma’s Otega Oweh and Belmont’s Cade Tyson seem to be among the best at long range shooting at the position. Tyson put up a 44.6% percent rate from three while Oweh connected on 37.7% last season.

Among more realistic options, Rice’s Mehki Mason and Louisville’s Tre White stand out at the position. Mason plays not far from Austin, while White is from Texas. Mason scored 14 points per game to go with four rebounds and 2.8 assists last season. Tre White added 12.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

The Longhorns don’t lack options at small forward and shooting guard. They’ll need to find one to contribute if they want to push for NCAA tournament success in 2024.

Kentucky G Adou Thiero enters transfer portal

Could Texas recruit Kentucky transfer Adou Thiero?

Kentucky guard Adou Thiero has entered the transfer portal. The talented guard could be worth consideration for Texas head coach Rodney Terry.

Thiero isn’t necessarily a game changer, but would be a good addition for a team that needs more than it got last year in the transfer portal.

The 6-foot-8 guard added 7.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in 2023. The height alone should warrant a look at the sophomore guard’s film.

Texas’ loss to Tennessee made apparent one key flaw for the Longhorns’ roster. The team’s lack of height prevented it from scoring at the basket against Tennessee rim protectors. They could see more of that in the SEC if they fail to get taller across the board. The SEC is a tall league.

Whether or not Texas adds Thiero, it will need role players who can step up and score when its primary scorers go cold. Thiero’s rebounding ability is an added bonus.

Texas has an opportunity to get a head start in the transfer portal over teams still playing in the NCAA tournament. We will monitor the Longhorns’ portal pursuit over the next couple months.