Game Preview: Texas looks to continue its winning streak versus Oklahoma and snap a SEC skid

The Texas Longhorns have won seven straight contests against Oklahoma, including wins in their last five trips to Norman. But keeping that streak going will be a tall task and one Texas needs to accomplish to avoid an 0-4 start in conference play.

[BOOKMARK: Check Inside Texas daily for FREE Texas Longhorns content]

The Sooners are a similar 0-3 in SEC play, so this game takes on an increased level of importance not only due to the rivalry aspect, but also because a fourth conference loss drastically reduces the margin for error in what’s become the toughest league in basketball.

That’s all to say, a lot is at stake on Wednesday night when the Longhorns and Sooners battle in the Lloyd Noble Center at 9 p.m. Central on SEC Network.

“We’ll play another really good team in Oklahoma,” Texas head coach Rodney Terry said earlier this week. “This is probably Porter (Moser)‘s best team at Oklahoma, and they do a really good job of attacking the glass.”

The Longhorns have lost the rebounding battle in all five of their defeats this season. And despite what Terry may have said about the Sooners, this contest in Norman provides the Longhorns with a chance to take advantage on the glass.

The Sooners have two players who average six or more rebounds per game in 6-foot-6 Jalon Moore and 6-foot-9 Sam Godwin. They are part of an effort that ranks No. 278 nationally in rebounding margin while the Longhorns rank No. 134. Winning the battle for second-chance opportunities both in terms of their creation and prevention will be key for both teams, but in Terrys’ mind, especially the Longhorns.

“In this league, over the course of the three games, we’ve had to really try to work hard at trying to limit other team’s second-chance opportunities,” Terry said. “The physicality, when the ball goes up on the glass, that’s when the game is on. That’s the game within the game. That’s where we’ve had our shortcomings a little bit in giving teams opportunities for second chances.”

Texas will have Tramon Mark available for this game, Terry said earlier this week. Mark had been dealing with his lingering ankle injury. However, Chendall Weaver was ruled out and listed as such on the SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report released on Tuesday night.

Both teams may be looking at this as a must-win. Of course, there’s the fact that this is the first edition of the Red River Shootout on a Southeastern Conference court. But Texas is looking to earn its first Quadrant 1 win of the year while Oklahoma is looking to jump back into the top 25. Both are trying to end a three-game losing streak.

While the situation is urgent, and the rivalry is at hand with a streak on the line, Terry is looking to be a steady presence for a team of veterans still meshing at this juncture of the season.

“Our whole approach is always about trying to encourage our guys to be everyday guys,” Terry said. “I think that starts with the top. That starts with myself. If they see me coming in and I’m down and I’m moping and not feeling great about what we’re doing, they’re probably going to be the same way. I like pride myself in being the same guy whether I’m winning, whether I’m losing, having a good day or having a bad day. I’m the same guy everyday. I don’t ever get too high and I don’t get too low. I strongly encourage them to be that same way.”

[Join Inside Texas TODAY and get 7 days for just ONE DOLLAR!]

Notes courtesy of UT

GameDay Quick Facts

• TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally by SEC Network with Roy Philpott (play-by-play) and Mark Wise (analyst) on the call.
• RADIO: The Longhorn Radio Network broadcasts every UT game on the statewide network. Craig Way (pxp) and Eddie Oran (analyst) will call the action. Check TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game.
• SERIES: Oklahoma leads, 57-48. Last meeting: Texas 94-80 (March 9, 2024; Austin).

Notables

• RECENT SUCCESS AGAINST OU: Texas has won seven straight and eight of the last nine meetings against the Sooners. UT has claimed road wins in each of its last five trips to Norman.
• POPE ON A ROLL: Junior G Jordan Pope has averaged a team-best 19.7 ppg over the last six contests while converting 54.1-percent (40-74) from the floor, including a 50-percent mark (21-42) from three-point range, and 85-percent (17-20) from the free throw line.
• JOHNSON FINDS HIS STROKE: Freshman G Tre Johnson registered a game-high 26 points (11-17 FG, 4-8 threes) in 36 minutes during Saturday’s home contest against No. 1/1 Tennessee. Johnson, who topped the 20-point mark for the fifth time this year and first since against UConn on Dec. 8, ranks third in the SEC in scoring (18.9 ppg).

2024-25 Texas Longhorns

Tre Johnson, 6-foot-6, 190 lbs, Fr., Link Academy (Mo.), 18.9 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.2 ast

Arthur Kaluma, 6-foot-7, 225 lbs, Sr., Kansas State, 14.4 pts, 8.2 reb, 2.0 ast

Jordan Pope, 6-foot-2, 175 lbs, Jr., Oregon State: 12.4 pts, 1.5 reb, 2.0 ast

Tramon Mark, 6-foot-5, 200 lbs, Gr., Arkansas: 8.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.3 ast

Kadin Shedrick, 6-foot-11, 231 lbs, Gr.: 8.2 pts, 5.9 reb, 0.5 ast

Chendall Weaver, 6-foot-3, 180 lbs, Jr.: 6.7 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.5 ast

Jayson Kent, 6-foot-8, 215 lbs, Gr., Indiana State: 5.1 pts, 2.1 reb, 0.8 ast

Julian Larry, 6-foot-3, 185 lbs, Gr., Indiana State: 6.0 pts, 1.8 reb, 4.1 ast

Devon Pryor, 6-foot-7, 185 lbs, So.: 4.0 pts, 1.8 reb, 0.8 ast

Ze’Rik Onyema, 6-foot-9, 235 lbs, Sr.: 3.9 pts, 2.4 reb, 0.3 ast

Nic Codie, 6-foot-8, 200 lbs, Fr., Dallas (Texas) Newman Smith: 3.5 pts, 1.3 reb, 0.3 ast

Jamie Vinson, 6-foot-11, 225 lbs, Fr., Oak Hill Academy (Va.): 2.5 pts, 1.3 rebs, 0.3 ast

Cole Bott, 6-foot-6, 195 lbs, Gr. (walk-on): 0.7 pts, 0.3 rebs, 0.5 ast

Preston Clark, 6-foot-6, 220 lbs, R-So. (walk-on): 0.3 pts, 1.5 rebs, 0.3 ast

Malik Presley, 6-foot-6, 200 lbs, So., Vanderbilt

Anthon McDermott, 6-foot-5, 185 lbs, Fr., Hallsville (Texas) (walk-on)

Projected Oklahoma Starting 5

F Jalon Moore: 17.4 pts, 6.1 rebs, 0.5 ast

G Jeremiah Fears: 16.6 pts, 3.6 rebs, 4.3 ast

G Duke Miles: 12.1 pts, 2.1 rebs, 2.1 ast

G Kobe Elvis: 9.3 pts, 2.1 rebs, 3.9 ast

F Sam Godwin: 6.6 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.0 ast