The Texas basketball team opens its season Monday with a rare game against Ohio State at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (9 p.m., TNT, truTV, 1 p.m., 98.1).
Ohio State and No. 19 Texas last met in 1986, when the Buckeyes won 71-65. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s matchup.
Only Tramon Mark has injury issues going into the opening game.
The Longhorns, who went 21-13 last season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, called up six players from the portal, adding six returners and four freshmen. Head coach Rodney Terry should have everyone available to play except for 6-foot-5 guard Tramon Mark, who is battling an ankle injury. He was “day-to-day,” Terry told reporters. Mark averaged a team-high 16.2 points and 4.3 rebounds last season at the University of Arkansas and appears to be a natural fit in the Longhorns’ starting lineup when healthy.
More information: Have a question about Texas Longhorns basketball entering the 2024-25 season? We have 15 answers.
Ohio State basketball looks a lot like Texas
Ohio State has some similarities to Texas. The Buckeyes used this portal to rebuild a roster that now features nine rookies, seven returners, and only two returning starting pitchers. Last year, Ohio State finished 22-14 and advanced to the NIT quarterfinals. Like Terry a year ago, Ohio State’s Jake Diebler begins his first full season as head coach after leading the team in an interim capacity for much of last season.
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Texas backcourt Tre Johnson to undergo early defensive testing
Terry has prioritized acquiring more size in the backcourt in the offseason, and the revamped guard is a 6-2, 215-pound preseason All-Big Ten selection, averaging 15.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He will be given a large-scale defensive test in his matchup with Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton, who marked . Last season, he had an assist and 3.7 rebounds. He’s the kind of tough bully who threw a Texas guard into a fit a year ago. If Mark plays, there’s a good chance he’ll match up well with Thornton. If not, 6-3 Chendal Weaver will come off the bench, along with 6-2 Jordan Pope, 6-3 Julian Lally and Johnson (6-6) on defense against Thornton. He will help with the mission.
Texas vs. Ohio State predictions
Texas. The Longhorns’ depth in the backcourt and wings would make them a good matchup for the Buckeyes. Ohio State has a lot of talent at the guard spot, but may not be able to discipline Texas’ thin frontcourt like other power conference teams scheduled at Texas.
This article was originally published in Austin American-Statesman: Texas Basketball Preview, Prediction: Longhorns vs. Ohio State.
