Texas vs Houston Christian preview, prediction, how to watch
The Texas basketball team fell in its season-opener Monday against Ohio State in Las Vegas 80-72. Now Texas is headed home.
Can the No. 19 Longhorns (0-1) rebound against a Houston Christian (1-0) squad not expected to contend in the Southland Conference? Fans who will pour into Moody Center for the home opener Friday certainly hope — and expect — so. Anything less than a dominant performance that features plenty of minutes for reserves will raise some concerns about a roster that includes 10 new players.
Here’s what you need to know for Friday's matchup (7 p.m., SEC Network+):
RELATED: Texas basketball's move from Big 12 to SEC ushers in a new era
What channel is Texas vs Houston Christian on Friday?
TV channel: SEC Network+.
Livestream: Fubo (free trial), ESPN+
Texas vs. Houston Christian will be broadcast and streamed on SECN+ and ESPN+. Other streaming options for the game include Fubo.
Texas vs Houston Christian time
Date: Friday
Start time: 7 p.m.
Location: Moody Center in Austin.
Who will help out Tre Johnson?
Tre Johnson, the highly touted freshman shooting guard from the Dallas area, set a school record for most points by a freshman in a debut with 29 Monday against Ohio State. He shot 10 of 20 from the floor, including 5 of 10 from 3-point range. He also made four of his five free throws while adding five rebounds, four assists and two steals in a team-high 39 minutes.
However, no one else made more than four shots from the floor and the rest of the team combined to go 2-for-17 shooting from 3-point range. Transfer guard Jordan Pope, who led Oregon State in scoring last season, tallied just five points against Ohio State.
But Texas coach Rodney Terry said he's more worried about the defense, especially early in the season when offenses typically endure a few struggles while finding a rhythm. Several new faces such as Pope, forward Arthur Kaluma, guard Julian Larry, forward Jayson Kent and — when healthy — Tramon Mark averaged double-digit points a year ago.
"You look at the guys that we brought in, we've got guys than can score the basketball," Terry said. "I'm not as concerned as you guys are. I think we'll continue to get better offensively as the season goes and guys get familiar with the way we want to play and how we do things."
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Will Tramon Mark play Friday?
No, and it may be a bit before Texas fans see the Arkansas transfer. On Thursday, Terry said Mark remains out “indefinitely” with an ankle injury.
Last season, the 6-foot-5 Mark averaged a team-high 16.2 points per game while earning All-SEC recognition at Arkansas. He’s expected to slide into a starting three-guard lineup for Texas when healthy, which would then move Chendall Weaver back to his familiar role as an energizer guard off the bench. In the season opener, Weaver started in place of Mark and tied his Texas career high with eight rebounds to go along with eight points and four assists in 33 minutes.
"When we put him out there, we want to make sure he's a full tilt, ready to go, and he's able to play at the level he's capable of playing," Terry said.
Terry also said sophomore wing Devon Pryor is out "indefinitely" with an ankle injury that caused him to miss the Ohio State game.
MORE FROM TJ: Texas looks on point with new guards Julian Larry, Jordan Pope
What to know about Houston Christian
Head coach Ron Cottrell, the second-longest tenured coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball, has guided the Huskies since the 1991-92 season. He turned the Cougars into a NAIA power in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but the program has struggled with just one winning season since joining the Southland Conference a decade ago.
Bryson Dawkins, a 6-2, 200-pound guard, keys the team and scored 18 in a season-opening 86-59 win Monday over Avila.
Texas vs Houston Christian prediction
Texas. The Longhorns won this game 77-50 last season, and the home fans should see more of the same Friday even if injuries are currently shortening the rotation.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How to watch Texas basketball vs Houston Christian
