Texas Longhorns vs. Incarnate Word Cardinals: Preview, How to Watch, Betting Odds

The No. 18 Texas Longhorns take on the Incarnate Word Cardinals in the season opener.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 18 Texas Longhorns officially begin the first full season of the Rodney Terry era on Monday night at the Moody Center when they take on the Incarnate Word Cardinals of the Southland Conference.

Incarnate Word is making the short trip up from San Antonio for the non-conference bout. The Cardinals went 12-19 last season in the last year under head coach Carson Cunningham. Though this marked the program's eighth straight losing season, it was UIW's most wins in a season since 2016-17 when they finished 12-17.

The Cardinals now begin the first season under new head coach Shane Heirman. Incarnate Word lost its top three leading scorers from last season in Jonathon Cisse, Charlie Yoder and Trey Miller.

However, UIW boasts freshman guard T.J. Ford Jr., who is of course the son of legendary Texas guard and former NBA standout, T.J. Ford. The Cardinals also added Central Michigan transfer Amani Drummond and UTSA transfer Lamin Sabally.

Tyrese Hunter / © Mikala Compton, Austin American-Statesman

Terry addressed what he wants to see from his team in the season opener.

"I think everything for us early in the season is going to be about trying to establish an identity of who we're gonna be," he said. "We're gonna strive really hard to be a team that plays really hard on defense, sitting down trying to guard you know, try to try to really try to play unselfish on offense when we move the ball to share the ball. ... Everything is gonna be predicated on us trying to get better."

WHAT: Incarnate Word Cardinals (0-0, 0-0 Southland) at Texas Longhorns (0-0, 0-0 Big 12)

WHERE: Moody Center - Austin, TX (10,763)

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, 7 p.m. CT

HOW TO WATCH: Longhorn Network

HOW TO LISTEN: Longhorn Radio Network

TICKETS: SI Tickets

BETTING via SI Sportsbook

SPREAD: Longhorns -31.5

TOTAL: 143.5

MONEYLINE: N/A