Texas will look to win its fourth straight game and carry a measure of momentum into its inaugural season as a member of the Southeastern Conference when it hosts Northwestern State on Sunday afternoon in Austin, Texas.
It’s the final tune-up before the SEC gauntlet for the Longhorns (10-2), who roll into Sunday’s game with 10 days of rest and after a 98-62 win over New Orleans on Dec. 19. Justin Pope led Texas with a career-high 42 points, the most for a member of the Longhorns since Reggie Freeman had 43 against Fresno State in 1996.
Arthur Kaluma added 15 points and Chendall Weaver scored 12 for Texas, which played without star freshman guard Tre Johnson for the second straight game. Johnson has been listed as day-to-day for a return but would be a likely participant to get at least some playing time before the Longhorns’ SEC opener at No. 13 Texas A&M on Jan. 4.
Texas coach Rodney Terry is looking for focus on the defensive end from his team as it heads into league play.
“We want to be playing Texas basketball defensively,” Terry said. “We try to protect the paint, we try to keep the guys off the glass, (and be) physical (with our) block outs. Then try to get out and play to a strength of ours. We’re a fast team but you’ve got to be able to get stops to be able to do that and play in transition.”
Northwestern State (5-6, 2-0 Southland Conference) heads to Austin after an 89-79 win at home over Southern-New Orleans on Dec. 20. Addison Patterson turned in a career performance in the win with 33 points, 10 rebounds and four assists as the Demons won for the third time in four games.
The Demons have played four teams from power conferences — Texas Tech, Oklahoma, LSU and, most recently, Cal on Dec. 14 — and have lost by at least 16 points in each game.
“Our guys are always ready to play,” Demons coach Rick Cabrera said. “We had a really good Christmas break to decompress and recuperate. They are just ready and willing to play anyone regardless of conference. Texas is extremely talented, and we are looking forward to competing with one of the top programs in the country.”
The contest against Texas is the final non-conference game for Northwestern State, which returns to Southland Conference play at home against Nicholls on Jan. 4.
The Longhorns have won all five previous games with Northwestern State, most recently a 105-57 victory at home in November 2017.
–Field Level Media
