Texas basketball vs Arkansas: Tre Johnson’s record-setting night not enough for Longhorns

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Despite a heroic effort from star freshman Tre Johnson and a late sense of desperation that helped force overtime, Texas basketball (16-12, 5-10 SEC) dropped a crucial SEC game to Arkansas 86-81 Wednesday at Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

Now, the Longhorns just need to show that type of desperation for three full games if they want to ensure a fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Johnson, a 6-foot-6 guard projected as an NBA lottery pick in June’s draft, set a new single-game record for a Texas freshman with 39 points. His record-setting performance helped Texas rally from a 14-point deficit in the second half and force overtime, but it couldn’t carry the Longhorns to a needed win against Arkansas (17-11, 6-9).

“He’s going to be a lottery pick,” Texas coach Rodney Terry told reporters after the game. “He’s a special talent; we knew that when we signed him.”

Texas guard Tre Johnson, right, shoots over Arkansas forward Billy Richmond III during Arkansas’ 86-81 overtime win Wednesday in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Johnson set a new school record for single-game points by a freshman with 39, but the Longhorns suffered their fifth loss in the past six games.

The Razorbacks, Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma all entered this week within a game of each other in the lower half of the SEC standings. Based on the various NCAA Tournament projections, either two or three of that quartet will receive an NCAA Tournament bid, and Arkansas has all but settled the debate with Texas by sweeping the two-game series.

On Saturday, Texas hosts Georgia, which knocked off No. 3 Florida Tuesday. The Longhorns then visit No. 24 Mississippi State March 4 before closing the regular season against visiting Oklahoma March 8.

Texas can’t completely rely on Johnson if it hopes to win at least two of its final three regular-season games, although the freshman almost carried the Longhorns to a win over Arkansas. He scored 29 of his points after halftime, including a driving layup that gave…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/texas-basketball-vs-arkansas-tre-060723580.html

Author : Austin American-Statesman

Publish date : 2025-02-27 06:07:00

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