Texas Routs Chicago State 109-59 in Moody Opener
Isaiah Johnson scored 18 in his Texas debut, and the Longhorns host Gardner-Webb on Thursday.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
Austin basketball fans got a Texas Longhorns rout on Monday, as the Longhorns beat Chicago State 109-59 at the Moody Center. Dwyane Wade was in the building to watch his godson, Isaiah Johnson, make his Texas debut.
Why it matters
For Longhorns fans in Austin, the opener is an early look at a team that shot the lights out and moved the ball well. Johnson's debut and Wade's presence add a personal storyline that will keep the program in local conversation as the season begins.
Texas made 13 three-pointers on 50% shooting and recorded 22 assists in a 109-59 win over Chicago State. Isaiah Johnson posted 18 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals in 25 minutes, but a single opener doesn't show how the rotation will hold up against stronger competition.
The players
Texas Longhorns
The University of Texas men's basketball team, which opened its season with a home win over Chicago State.
Isaiah Johnson
A guard who scored 18 points in his Texas debut after previously playing for the Colorado Buffaloes as a freshman.
Dwyane Wade
Former NBA star who attended the game to support his godson, Isaiah Johnson.
The details
Texas beat Chicago State 109-59 at the Moody Center on November 2, 2026. Joe Sterling hit 4-of-6 from three, and Johnson, who previously played for the Colorado Buffaloes as a freshman, shot 5-of-8 from the floor and 3-of-5 from deep in his Texas debut. The Longhorns host Gardner-Webb on Thursday.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Texas defeats Chicago State 109-59 at the Moody Center.
Thursday: Texas hosts the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs.
The Texas Context
Texas opened its 2026 home schedule at the Moody Center with a lopsided win, a start that sets the tone for the season. The Longhorns now host Gardner-Webb on Thursday, the next test in a stretch of early-season home games.
If you're heading to the Moody Center, Thursday's Gardner-Webb game is the next chance to see the Longhorns at home. Plan your drive and parking now, since Moody Center traffic tends to build before tip-off.
The takeaway
The opener showed a Texas team that can score in bunches and share the ball, with Johnson's debut as a bright spot. Watch Thursday's Gardner-Webb game to see whether the three-point shooting holds up against a tougher schedule.
What happens next
Texas hosts the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs on Thursday, the next scheduled game at the Moody Center.
Further reading
For more on the program, see our Basketball coverage of Texas and the rest of the Austin sports scene.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
