*****GAME THREAD: #15 Texas vs. #5 UCONN - Empire Classic Championship Game*****

[HornSports Staff]

The Texas Longhorns (4-0) will face the UCONN Huskies (4-0) in the Championship Game of the 2023 Saatva Empire Classic on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The Longhorns defeated the Louisville Cardinals on a last second buzzer-beater by Max Abmus to advance and remain undefeated on the season. Defending national champion UCONN handled Indiana 77-57 in the semifinals en route to an appearance in the championship game.

The Longhorns and Huskies have met 9 times on the hardwood with UCONN holding a 6-3 advantage over Texas. The last meeting between the two was on December 29, 2015 with UCONN winning 71-66. The last time the Longhorns beat the Huskies was November 20, 2014 (Texas 55, UCONN 54).

What: #15 Texas Longhorns vs. #5 UCONN Huskies
When: Monday, November 20, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM
TV: ESPNU
Venue: Madison Square Garden
Location: New York, New York

Fun Facts

• Longhorns are making their 7th appearance in the Empire Classic (1997, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2019, 2023)
• Texas won the Empire Classic in 2014 by defeating Cal 71-55
• Over the last 6 meetings, Texas and UCONN have split 3-3

Projected Texas Starters

G Tyrese Hunter
G Max Abmas
F Brock Cunningham
F Dillon Mitchell
F Kadin Shedrick

Head Coach: Rodney Terry, 1st full season

Projected UCONN Starters

G Solomon Ball
G Tristen Newton
G Cam Spencer
C Donovan Clingan
F Alex Karaban

Head Coach: Dan Hurley, 6th season

 

[tejasrulz]

Have to do a better job hitting our 3s tonight.

 

[tejasrulz]

Missing our big guy, Shedrick, and it shows. UConn shooting lights out so far.

 

[tejasrulz]

Weird, those 2 posts are out of order. 46-33 UConn at half

 

[82Horn]

75~69 221 left good half

 

[82Horn]

Need to make some plays, have fought back in this game

 

[82Horn]

Couldn’t make plays don’t the stretch, U Conn closes us out. 81~71 final

 

[More Cowbell]

Given the size mismatch due to injuries, noble effort.

 

[tejasrulz]

Texas down by 6 late in the game with momentum, UConn had the ball with the shot clock fixing to expire and the dude hits a prayer. Texas never could recover after that.

 

[83Dee]

Terrible start - but not a bad performance, all in all. Texas will be a different looking team with Disu (6'9") and Shedrick (6'11") on the floor.

 

[83Dee]

This was my first chance to watch.... Love Chendall Weaver. Dude is cat-quick, and plays with ferocious effort!

 

[tejasrulz]

Terrible start - but not a bad performance, all in all. Texas will be a different looking team with Disu (6'9") and Shedrick (6'11") on the floor.

Yea, missing those 2 hurt. Brock got his arse kicked trying to guard the UConn big man.

We couldn't hit the ocean from the beach and they couldn't miss to start the game.

 

[83Dee]

Yea, missing those 2 hurt. Brock got his arse kicked trying to guard the UConn big man.

We couldn't hit the ocean from the beach and they couldn't miss to start the game.

I think he was giving up 7 inches, lol.

 

[tejasrulz]

I think he was giving up 7 inches, lol.

Actually 8" but yea, that was my point.