Best photos from Oklahoma’s regular season finale vs. the Texas Longhorns

A look at the best photos from the Oklahoma Sooners loss to the Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 regular season finale.

The Oklahoma Sooners got off to a sluggish start in their Big 12 regular season finale against the Texas Longhorns. The offense had a couple of cold stretches, and the defense wasn’t up to the challenge in Austin, and the Longhorns completed the Red River sweep of Oklahoma 94-80 on Saturday afternoon.

Javian McCollum returned but didn’t provide much, scoring just five points on 2 of 6 shooting in 26 minutes. Rivaldo Soares stepped up and had a great game with 21 points to lead the way for the Sooners.

The Longhorns shot an astounding 63.6% from the field and 50% from three.

This season, the Texas Longhorns were simply a bad matchup for the Sooners. Oklahoma lost the two games this season by a combined 29 points. Unfortunately, the Sooners will now face the Longhorns in the opening round of the Big 12 tournament, which begins Wednesday.

Oklahoma Sooners drop regular season finale to Texas Longhorns

The Oklahoma Sooners dropped their Big 12 regular season finale to the Texas Longhorns 94-40.

The Oklahoma Sooners recovered from another slow start to close the first half trailing by only five. But the Texas Longhorns took it to another level by outscoring the Sooners by nine to win 94-80.

The Sooners fell to 20-11 and 8-10 in Big 12 play.

The Sooners struggled to get their offense going in the first half, especially from three. But late in the half, the Sooners began to find their rhythm and were hitting from deep to close the gap.

But the Longhorns took control in the second half, pushing their lead to as many as 20 over the final 20 minutes. The Sooners struggled to contain Tyrese Hunter, who had a career-high 30 points for the Longhorns, shooting 9 of 13 from the field. Hunter was also 3 of 4 from the three.

Oklahoma got a big game from [autotag]Rivaldo Soares[/autotag], who led the Sooners with 21 points on 7 of 9 from the field and 3 of 4 from three.

Despite the return of [autotag]Javian McCollum[/autotag], the Sooners offense wasn’t consistent enough to hang with the Longhorns for a full 40 minutes and the defense wasn’t much better, allowing the Horns to shoot 63.6% from the field.

The Sooners now head into Big 12 tournament play hoping to make a statement and solidify their NCAA tournament hopes. The Sooners will be the No. 9 seed in the Big 12 tournament and will have a difficult road in Kansas City.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Texas guard Tyrese Hunter jumps from near the free throw line in dunk

Tyrese Hunter caught serious air in this dunk.

Tyrese Hunter caught flight on Saturday. The Texas Longhorns guard took off for one of the more impressive highlight dunks for the 2024 basketball season.

Hunter might not have been known for his dunk hang-time, but perhaps he will moving forward. After getting a steal to change possession, the Texas guard beelined toward the basket ahead of the West Virginia transition defense. After getting just inside the free throw line, Hunter took flight for a long jump to the basket before slamming it home.

The veteran player has had his ups and downs at Texas, but continues to show up and give a quality effort. His last game saw Hunter go 0-for-8 against the Iowa State program from which he transferred to Texas. The dunk had to provide some level of outlet for his frustration.

The Longhorns have plenty of work to do as the season nears the finish line, but plays like this particular highlight indicate the talent is present. The team will look to close toward an NCAA Tournament bid with a strong finish to the season.

Texas basketball rallies, defeats No. 9 Baylor at buzzer, 75-73

Texas got a much needed win on Saturday over No. 9 Baylor.

Texas basketball got back in the win column with a surprising upset over the No. 9 Baylor Bears. The program needed the win like it needed air. Continue reading “Texas basketball rallies, defeats No. 9 Baylor at buzzer, 75-73”

Tyrese Hunter seals victory for Texas over No. 9 Baylor

Texas-sized heroics from Tyrese Hunter in the matchup against Baylor.

It has been a rough start to Big 12 play for the Texas Longhorns men’s basketball season with losses in three of the first four games. They dropped two at home to the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Central Florida Knights. Those losses also sandwiched a road loss against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

On Saturday afternoon at the Moody Center, Texas had the opportunity to start to gain some momentum but it wouldn’t be easy against the annual Big 12 power, No. 9 Baylor Bears. It is the first of six straight games against top-25 opponents.

It was a close game throughout the afternoon with a 42-41 lead for the Horns over the Bears at halftime. The Bears led by Ja’Kobe Walter never could put much distance between them and Texas. The biggest lead of the second half for Baylor was a mere six points.

Max Abmas was able to put the Longhorns up 73-70 with under 15 seconds left in the game before Jalen Bridges nailed a three-point shot to tie it all up at 73. It looked like this game was heading to overtime before Tyrese Hunter, raced down the floor to put this game away.

The victory gave Texas their second win in Big 12 play in five chances. They also knocked off Cincinnati on the road in a one-point victory. Hunter led the Longhorns with 21 points on the day.

Tyrese Hunter puts NBA plans on hold, announcing a return to Texas

Hunter tested NBA Draft waters this offseason before ultimately deciding to come back to school.

Texas basketball received some positive news on Thursday as Tyrese Hunter announced he is returning for the 2023-24 season. Continue reading “Tyrese Hunter puts NBA plans on hold, announcing a return to Texas”

Report: Texas basketball reaches out to UTA transfer Chendall Weaver

Weaver earned WAC Freshman of the Year honors for the Mavericks this past season.

Texas basketball is still in search of some help via the transfer portal. The Longhorns are reportedly reaching out to UT-Arlington guard Chendall Weaver.

Weaver earned WAC Freshman of the Year honors for the Mavericks this past season. He is a high-upside scorer who shot over 40% from beyond the three-point line.

The Longhorns’ roster is starting to take shape this week with the news of Dylan Disu returning and the commitment of Virginia transfer Kadin Shedrick. Disu and Shedrick help solidify the frontcourt but Texas still has work to do at the guard position.

Texas awaits a decision from star transfer Max Abmas following his visit to campus this week. The former Oral Roberts standout is considering Texas and Kansas State.

Tyrese Hunter is currently testing NBA Draft waters. Hunter started every game for the Horns last season, averaging over 10 points and three rebounds.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

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

Virginia transfer F Kadin Shedrick commits to Texas

Kadin Shedrick becomes Texas head coach Rodney Terry’s first transfer portal commitment.

Virginia forward Kadin Shedrick announced his commitment to Texas on Sunday night.

Shedrick becomes the first addition to Rodney Terry’s 2023-24 roster from the transfer portal. His announcement snaps a long offseason drought to bring in a player from elsewhere.

The Virginia player averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds for his team last season. Not surprisingly, the player who hails from Virginia head coach Tony Bennett’s system is known as an excellent defensive player. Albeit, he does bring an element Texas desperately needs in next year’s squad: Height.

At 6-foot-11, Shedrick would have been the tallest player on last year’s squad. He joins 6-foot-9 forward Dylan Disu on the front line for Texas. The Longhorns will hope to get rim protection from the veteran transfer, or at least good enough defense that prevents opponents from getting to the basket.

As for next season’s roster, the Longhorns are in need of two more impact scoring guards and the return of guard Tyrese Hunter and forward Dillon Mitchell. Keep an eye on Oral Roberts guard Max Abmas who is considering the Longhorns as his recruitment comes to a close.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Texas Basketball: 2023-2024 roster tracker

Texas basketball is putting together a roster overhaul for the 2023-2024 season. 

Texas basketball is putting together a roster overhaul for the 2023-2024 season.

The Longhorns are losing a majority of its roster from last season’s Elite Eight run. Seniors Marcus Carr, Sir’Jabari Rice, Christian Bishop and Timmy Allen are graduating, while another handful of players are weighing their options for the future.

Texas lost Arterio Morris and Rowan Brumbaugh to the transfer portal along with five-star signee AJ Johnson to the Australian NBL.

Good news came for the Longhorns on Sunday as starting big man Dylan Disu announced his return to school. Disu played as well as anyone in the country down the final stretch of the year and in the NCAA Tournament. He scored a career-high 28-points in Texas’ second-round win over Penn State.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Here is an ongoing offseason roster tracker for Rodney Terry and Texas basketball. Expect Texas to hit the transfer portal and high school ranks to build its team going forward.

Texas F Dillon Mitchell declares for NBA Draft, retains eligibility

Texas basketball is going to look a lot different next season.

Texas forward Dillon Mitchell made big news on Wednesday. The big time player declared for the NBA Draft.

While the news is suboptimal for the Longhorns next season, Mitchell still appears open to returning to the team. The talented forward posted to social media announcing that while he declares for the draft, he still maintains eligibility.

There aren’t many players from the team’s Elite Eight roster that intend to return for next season. Not long ago, Rowan Brumbaugh announced his transfer to play basketball at Georgetown. Arterio Morris let the public know he would enter the transfer portal as well.

Forward Brock Cunningham is one of the few set to return to the team. There’s a possibility that NCAA Tournament scoring hero Dylan Disu returns as could Tyrese Hunter and Mitchell if they are turned down by NBA teams.

Frankly, Texas needs all four of those possible returnees and as many as 6 transfers to field a team comparable to last season’s squad. After striking out on multiple early targets, new head coach Rodney Terry needs to start winning some of his portal recruitments quickly.

Texas will hold out hope that Mitchell, Disu and Hunter return to the team next season.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]