Matas Vokietaitis kicked off the season for No. 7 Texas with an absolutely flawless 9-for-9 from the field, leading the Longhorns to a massive 109-59 victory over Chicago State on Monday night. This isn’t just a win, it’s a statement. The 7-foot Vokietaitis was unstoppable, dropping 22 points and grabbing six rebounds, setting an immediate tone for what could be a wild season for Texas.
The Vokietaitis Show and Offensive Explosion
Seriously, perfect from the field? That’s how you open a season! But it wasn’t just Vokietaitis lighting it up. Point guard Isaiah Johnson wasn’t far behind, pouring in 18 points. Then you have freshman Joe Sterling, already looking like a bucket getter with 14 points, including four of Texas’ impressive 13 3-pointers. The team overall was just scorching, converting 62.5% from the field and nailing half of their shots from deep. Chicago State’s Will Lovings-Watts (13 points) and Mike Price (12 points) fought hard, but the Longhorns’ offense was simply on another level.
Freshman Firepower and Early Roadblocks
What’s even wilder is the immediate impact from the young guns. Marcus Spears Jr., the 6-foot-9 freshman who reclassified from the No. 1 recruit in 2027 to No. 4 this year at just 17 years old, made his presence felt with 11 points, five rebounds, and four blocks. He’s a problem, folks! And Sterling wasn’t alone in the freshman spotlight: Austin Goosby and Bo Ogden each hit the first shot of their college careers, both from beyond the arc. Goosby even led the team with seven rebounds and eight assists. This is huge because the Longhorns are without Mikey Lewis, a guard who averaged 14 points for Saint Mary’s last season, who underwent foot surgery in early October and isn’t expected back until mid to late December. To have these freshmen step up right away? That’s a massive positive for coach Sean Miller, especially with 11 new players on the squad this season after making the Sweet 16 last year from the First Four.
So, what’s next for this revamped Longhorns team? They are hosting Gardner-Webb on Thursday night. Can they keep this insane momentum rolling and continue to show the league they are a force to be reckoned with, even with new faces and a key player on the mend? You better believe every eye in college hoops is watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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