Texas Basketball: ‘Horns in need of a win as they host Central Florida on Wednesday

Rodney Terry and the Longhorns currently sit at 1-2 in Big 12 play following their 76-73 road loss to West Virginia last weekend. The good news is conference play is just beginning, leaving plenty of time for Texas to find their groove and reestablish themselves as a contender in the league. The not-so-good news is they have some work to do in order to play consistent, solid, smart basketball.

The Longhorns had 22 turnovers and 28 fouls against the Mountaineers with two of their starting five fouling of the game (Brock Cunningham and Dylan Disu). Guard Max Abmas and forward Dylan Disu continue to score in double digits each night but Texas needs more from guys like Tyrese Hunter and Dillon Mitchell. Bench play has struggled for the Longhorns as well, with limited production coming from Kendall Weaver, Ithiel Horton and Ze’Rik Onyema. Texas had just nine bench points in the West Virginia loss and four points in the win at Cincinnatti. Additionally, Kadin Shedrick’s injury has forced him to miss playing time or play on a limited basis, leaving Rodney Terry no choice but to expect close-to 40 minutes on the floor from his starting five.

Conference-wise, the stats tell the story. The ‘Horns rank in the bottom half in most categories, with the exception of team three-points (3rd, 36.8%), team shooting (5th, 48.1%) and free throws (4th, 74%). Texas ranks eighth in the Big 12 in overall scoring and turnovers and ninth in defense and and rebounds. There is work to be done and the ‘Horns should expect a dogfight in every game until the season is over.

They welcome a 10-5 Central Florida team on Wednesday that knocked of No. 3 Kansas last week in Orlando. Despite the upset over the Jayhawks, the Knights also hold a 1-2 Big 12 record and need a win. Three of Johnny Dawkins’ next four games are on the road, with contests against Houston and Cincinnati following their trip to Austin.

Texas is 25-2 overall and 9-1 this season at Moody Center and will have the advantage of a home crowd when they tip against UCF. It will be the first ever meeting between these two programs on the hardwood. Junior guards Darius Johnson and Jaylin Sellers, along with 7’0 fifth year senior forward Ibrahima Diallo, each scored double-digits in the Knights’ loss to BYU last weekend. Diallo’s 19 rebounds were a career-high for the Senegal-born transfer from San Jose State.

The game will be shown exclusively on Longhorn Network with the radio broadcast coming via Craig Way and Eddie Oran on the Longhorn Radio Network.