3 toughest opponents on Texas's non-conference schedule for 2024-25
Texas basketball released its full non-conference schedule for the 2024-25 regular season. Texas and head coach Rodney Terry already have 11 non-conference opponents set for the 2024-25 schedule.
Non-conference slate set to prepare Rodney Terry and Texas basketball for first year of SEC play in 2024-25
There will also be two more games played as part of the Legends Classic, but those specific matchups haven't been announced yet. The Legends Classic will take place at the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, on Nov. 21 and 22.
The four teams participating in the Legends Classic field for this upcoming season are the Longhorns, Saint Joseph's Hawks, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Syracuse Orange.
Terry and the Longhorns have high expectations yet again entering the inaugural campaign in the SEC in 2024-25. Texas is expected to be a top 25 team in the major preseason polls, and one of the contenders for an SEC Championship this upcoming regular season.
Here's a look at the three toughest non-conference games for the Longhorns for the 2024-25 regular season.
Nov. 4 vs. Ohio State
Location: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, NV)
Texas opens the regular season with a neutral site matchup in the Hall of Fame Series Opening Night against the Ohio State Buckeyes from the Big Ten in Las Vegas, NV, on Nov. 4. This season opener will be a key game not just because the Longhorns can start off this regular season on a high note with all the new faces in the rotation for this upcoming campaign, but also to beat a quality opponent from another major conference.
Ohio State is led by the new full-time head coach, Jake Diebler, entering the 2024-25 regular season. Diebler took over the interim role after the Buckeyes let go of head coach Chris Holtman during the stretch run of last season.
Keep in mind that while Ohio State and Diebler missed the NCAA Tournament last year, they put together a good run when he was the interim head coach down the stretch. Ohio State upset the No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers and nearly upset a quality tournament team in the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Big Ten Tournament last season.
Ohio State's depth in the rotation and returning production will test the Longhorns' rotation in the regular season opener in early November.
All-Big Ten junior guard Bruce Thornton returns for his third season at Ohio State after leading the team in scoring last year. South Carolina transfer Meechie Johnson joins Thornton to lead an Ohio State team that could be ranked entering this regular season and the Texas matchup on Nov. 4.