Demons Embark on Texas Journey to Conclude Non-Conference Showdown

By: Jason Pugh, Associate Athletic Director for External Relations

AUSTIN, Texas – The Northwestern State men’s basketball squad will initiate the conclusion of the non-conference segment of its 2024-25 itinerary early.
 
The Demons will finalize their 12-game non-Southland Conference schedule on Sunday morning at 11 when they encounter Texas, marking their third Southeastern Conference rival and fifth power-conference adversary this season.
 
The match will be broadcast live on SEC Network+.
 
Northwestern (5-6) approaches this game following its longest in-season pause of the year. The Demons haven’t competed since an 89-79 victory over Southern-New Orleans on Dec. 20 in Natchitoches.
 
“We’re really eager to take on another team,” second-year head coach Rick Cabrera expressed. “The enjoyable aspect of the season is playing games, and our players are always prepared to compete. We had an excellent Christmas break to unwind and recover. Now it’s time to dive into our final non-conference matchup.”
 
Against the Longhorns (10-2), the Demons are up against arguably the most proficient offense they have encountered this year.
 
Texas is ranked second nationally in shooting percentage, converting 51.8 percent of their attempts from the field. The Longhorns also rank seventh nationally in both 3-point shooting at 41.5 percent and effective field goal percentage (59.1).
 
Northwestern managed to restrict both Oklahoma and LSU to under 45 percent shooting, thanks in part to robust first-half defensive performances in those encounters. The same tenacity was evident during Northwestern’s latest match. In the opening half against SUNO, the Demons held the Knights to 32.3 percent from the field before SUNO rebounded with a 57.6 percent effort in the second half.
 
The Longhorns will mark the third different SEC club the Demons have faced, denoting the second occurrence in three seasons that Northwestern contends with three teams from the same major conference within one season.
 
In the 2022-23 season, the Demons went up against three Big 12 institutions – Baylor, TCU, and Texas Tech.
 
“For our players, we approach all of our rivals with significant regard,” Cabrera noted. “They are simply prepared and willing to challenge anyone, irrespective of the conference. Texas possesses immense talent, and we are excited to compete against one of the elite programs in the nation.”
 
Before the nine-day interval between the victory over SUNO and Sunday’s bout, the Demons’ prior longest hiatus of the year was a week-long span following a win at HCU and a loss at California.
 
The Demons returned to Natchitoches on Thursday in a manner that has Cabrera reassured.
 
“Our return to practice has been outstanding,” he remarked. “We have players who genuinely enjoy playing basketball, and with that enthusiasm and commitment, you’re always inclined to compete.”