FINAL: Texas drops season opener to Ohio State despite stellar debut from Tre Johnson
Despite a historic 29-point debut from Tre Johnson, the No. 19 Texas Longhorns lost their season opener to Ohio State in Las Vegas, 80-72.
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Here are two quick takeaways
First-half shooting didn’t win this game for Ohio State
More on Tre Johnson in a sec.
Ohio State’s first-half shooting might be a reason a lot of fans think the Buckeyes won this game, but sometimes players make difficult shots. Even with hands in faces, the Buckeyes made a number of contested, deep three-point shots. Ohio State was 10-for-17 from three in the opening 20 minutes as part of 12-for-33 first-half.
A regression to the mean on three-point shooting paired with improvement from the Longhorns on offense would have put Rodney Terry’s team back in the ballgame. But after allowing 38 in the first half, Texas allowed 42 in the second. Ohio State was 15-for-27 from the field in the second half but just 4-for-11 from deep.
On layups and dunks? Ohio State hit all five of their shots falling into those categories in the second half. Texas was 9-for-13 on dunks and layups during the game. In addition, Ohio State had a number of bounces go their way that Texas hustled for but just couldn’t come up with, but the lapses were more numerous than the successes as Ohio State lead for 39:42 and never trailed.
A lot of those three pointers required a tip of the cap. But some of the uncontested looks in the second half inside the arc were the Longhorns’ fault.
Tre Johnson is for real
Twenty-nine points on 10-of-20 shooting including 5-for-10 from three, plus five rebounds and four assists.
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Johnson made history with the most points by a Texas freshman in his debut, breaking Kevin Durant’s record set all the way back in 2006.
The way the game played out made it very clear Johnson will be the Longhorns’ primary offensive option for most situations. Getting the most out of the supporting cast that did include two other 10-point scorers in Arthur Kaluma and Kadin Shedrick will be pivotal. Making the most of Johnson while also not forcing him to do every single thing like he had to do across 39 minutes is Terry’s task over these upcoming games against a soft schedule.
That supporting cast did not do enough on Monday night. Outside of Johnson, Texas was 15-for-48 from the field and 2-for-18 from three. An off night with room for improvement could be the explanation, but it’s on Terry and company to find that improvement over the next few weeks before another Power Conference opponent arrives.
Final score: Ohio State 80, Texas 72
11/4/2024, 11:10:28 PMLonghorns trail by nine (and maybe 10) at the under four
11/4/2024, 10:57:50 PMTexas got the 12-point deficit down to seven, but Ohio State responds and has a chance to take a double-digit lead after the under-four timeout. The Longhorns are in the double bonus and the Buckeyes are in the bonus. Rodney Terry has gone eight-deep Monday night while 10 Buckeyes have played at least 10 minutes. Tre Johnson Chendall Weaver, and Arthur Kaluma are all above 30 minutes.
Buckeyes take largest second-half lead with 5:10 left
11/4/2024, 10:52:11 PMLonghorns finally cut the deficit to two possessions with 7:35 left
Tre Johnson’s history and non-stop hustle from Chendall Weaver finally have the Longhorns within two possessions at the under-eight. 61-56 Ohio State.
Tre Johnson – 23 points
Arthur Kaluma – 10 points
Chendall Weaver – 6 points
Julian Larry – 6 points
Tre Johnson sets record for points in a Longhorn debut
11/4/2024, 10:39:11 PMTre Johnson gets to 23 points, breaking Kevin Durant’s record for most points in a Longhorn freshman debut.
Tre Johnson eclipses 20 points in his Texas debut
11/4/2024, 10:32:41 PMTre Johnson’s field goal with 11:26 left in the half gives him 20 points.
51-44 Ohio State 11:53
11/4/2024, 10:31:54 PMThe Longhorns see Ohio State bump the lead up to double digits again but scuffle back to make it a seven point contest with 11:53 left in the game. The last five Longhorn points have come at the free throw line. Texas hasn’t hit a field goal since the 16:59 mark. Ohio State has a similar drought since 15:03 remained in the half.
Texas’ deficit remains seven points with 15:26 left in the second half
11/4/2024, 10:26:42 PMSome poor interior defense allows for Ohio State to go 4-for-4 on dunk and layup attempts to start the half, but shots from distance by Jordan Pope and Tre Johnson plus a layup by Kadin Shedrick has the Longhorns still down seven. 46-39 Ohio State.
Rodney Terry comments at half
11/4/2024, 10:13:21 PMRodney Terry mentions to TNT that his team needs to make more deflections and have better closeouts on defense. He also explains there needs to be more movement on offense because “we’ve got too many guys standing around and watching right now.”
Longhorns enter halftime down 38-31
11/4/2024, 9:55:19 PMOhio State bumps its lead to seven points before halftime though the Longhorns trailed by as much as 15.
Late-half run by Texas makes it a five-point game
11/4/2024, 9:49:26 PMA 10-0 run by Texas has the Longhorns back within two possessions thanks to Arthur Kaluma and Tre Johnson and Ohio State calls a timeout with 2:23 remaining leading only 33-28.
33-24 Ohio State with 3:48 left in the first half
11/4/2024, 9:47:33 PMThe first possession out of the timeout is another three point attempt to make it 31-18, and Texas has gone four-plus minutes without a point. From the field, the Longhorns have also missed nine straight jumpers and the Ohio State lead has ballooned to 15. Another turnover on the offensive end extends the scoreless streak to almost six minutes, but an opportunity on the other end is finally converted thanks to a tip-in by Kadin Shedrick to make it 33-20. Tre Johnson finds room for a transition three and he already has 10 points, and the Longhorns get it to 11 points at the under-four.
28-18 Ohio State 8:28 after John Mobley Jr. starts sniping from deep
11/4/2024, 9:32:25 PMJohn Mobley Jr. stays hot from three and is 3-for-3 through the first 11+ minutes with some VERY deep threes. His personal 6-0 forces Rodney Terry to call a timeout with 8:28 left.
21-16 Ohio State 11:27 1H
11/4/2024, 9:24:08 PMJulian Larry, Ze’Rik Onyema, Jayson Kent are the first off the bench for the Longhorns. Tre Johnson leaves the floor with 13:33 left in the half in order to get some rest. John Mobley Jr. hits a very deep three, part of a stretch that has Ohio State now 6-for-9 from three. Tre Johnson returns and dishes to Julian Larry on a drive and dish for the second Longhorn triple of the game. Texas ball under the Buckeye basket on the other side of the timeout. Longhorns have three assists on six makes.
14-7 Ohio State at the U16 timeout
11/4/2024, 9:13:29 PMThe Longhorns go empty on three of their first four possessions while Ohio State converts its first three, including two three-pointers. Arthur Kaluma ends up scoring the points of the season for the Longhorns. Tre Johnson misses his first two shots, but then nails a corner three out of a set piece. The story of the first segment is Ohio State’s three-point shooting. Buckeyes start 4-of-7 from three and 5-of-8 overall while Texas goes 3-for-8.
Starting five for the Longhorns’ season-opener announced
11/4/2024, 8:52:35 PMTexas starters:
G Jordan Pope
G Chendall Waver
G Tre Johnson
F Kadin Shedrick
F Arthur Kaluma
Ohio State starters:
G Meechie Johnson
G Bruce Thornton
F Aaron Bradshow
F Micah Parrish
F Sean Stewart
Longhorns down two scholarship players
11/4/2024, 8:50:14 PMTramon Mark and Devon Pryor are both OUT.
