Texas opens 2026-27 season with 40.5-point favorite status against Chicago State
Coach Sean Miller focuses on integrating 11 new players before the first conference test against Baylor in November.
By Arjun Weber ·
No. 7 Texas defeated visiting Chicago State 40.5 points in Monday night’s season opener at Moody Center. The Longhorns started the 2026-27 campaign with Austin Goosby hitting an opening three-pointer. The game aired on the SEC Network.
Bookmakers listed Texas as heavy favorites, with a moneyline of -100,000 compared to Chicago State’s +8,000. The total points over-under sat at 149.5. The Chicago State Cougars, a member of the Northeast Conference, have recorded just one winning season in the past 40 years.
Second-year coach Sean Miller said he worries more about his own squad than the opponent. Miller’s roster features 11 new faces, including six freshmen and five transfers. He wants the team to find a rhythm before the competition increases.
The Longhorns face their first major test against Big 12 power Baylor on Nov. 15. That game will take place in San Antonio. Miller noted that early-season games often present unique challenges for a rebuilding team.
The matchup marked the beginning of one of the most anticipated seasons in recent history for Texas basketball. The Chicago State program remains a struggling entity in its conference. The Longhorns used the low-stakes opener to evaluate their new lineup.
The game concluded with the expected margin, setting the tone for the rest of the schedule. Texas now turns its attention to the upcoming slate of games. The focus shifts to internal development as the season progresses.
