Texas will focus on the basics against Mississippi Valley State

Texas Longhorns guard Tre Johnson (20) protects the ball during the game against Houston Christian at Moody Middle on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 in Austin.

Texas looks to continue developing chemistry and depth as it features freshman phenom Tre Johnson at home against Mississippi Valley State on Saturday afternoon in Austin, Texas.

The Longhorns (2-1) return to the court after a convincing 105-58 home victory over Chicago State on Tuesday. Johnson scored 19 points in just 22 minutes for Texas and has led the Longhorns in scoring in all three games of his college career so far with a 25.3 average.

Ze’Rik Onyema added 18 points for Texas, while Arthur Kaluma scored 15, Kadin Shedrick scored 12 and Julian Larry scored 10. The Longhorns led from the jump, shooting 57.1 percent from the field and racking up 21 assists in 36 scored baskets.

“If you’re a willing passer, a willing blocker, then you’re probably going to have a chance to score, so sharing the ball, moving the ball, player movement, ball movement, we want those things,” the coach said in Texas boss, Rodney. Terry said.

“We don’t need to dribble the ball more than twice. Move the ball, have great space. We’re still in the early stages of our journey with that. “We will continue to improve as the season progresses.”

The Delta Devils (1-2) head to Austin after a 111-39 loss at Missouri on Thursday. Arthur Tate led Mississippi Valley State with 10 points and Donovan Sanders added eight points in a game they trailed 51-19 at halftime.

Mississippi Valley State shot just 27.1 percent in the loss, going 1 of 10 from 3-point range and committing 23 turnovers that led to forty five points for Missouri. The Delta Devils went the final eight minutes without a field goal.

Tate and Sanders lead Mississippi Valley State in scoring with 11.0 and 10.3 points per game, respectively. Sanders leads the team with 7.3 rebounds per game.

Mississippi Valley State is last in KenPom’s latest rankings of the 364 Division I programs and will play its next four games against teams from power conferences.

–Media at field level