Key Texas Longhorns forward taking leave of absence from program

Before facing off against the Oklahoma Sooners, Texas Longhorns head coach Chris Beard told the Austin American-Statesman that forward Tre Mitchell will be taking a leave of absence from the program. Mitchell did not travel with the team to Norman on Tuesday and the timetable for his return is unknown.

According to Beard, Mitchell did not break or violate any university or team laws, causing the absence. COVID-19 is not involved either. Mitchell is currently with his family.

“I’ve been in contact with Tre and his family consistently,” Beard told Brian Davis of the Austin-American Statesman. “He’s with his family now. It’s a personal matter, and we support him completely.”

Mitchell has been a key part of the Longhorns squad this season, averaging 8.7 points and 4.0 points per game. He averages the fifth-most minutes on the roster, only trailing Timmy Allen in the frontcourt.

Texas Longhorns to participate in the Jimmy V Classic

Every year, ESPN Events hosts the Jimmy V Classic, to raise money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which is named after famous coach and former broadcaster Jim Valvano. The 2022 edition will take place at Madison Square Garden, with two top programs reportedly participating.

According to Jon Rothstein, both the Duke Blue Devils and the Texas Longhorns will headline the Jimmy V Classic. There will be two other teams participating as well and will be announced at a later date. As to when the games will be played is to be determined as well.

Texas will be in the early stages of a new head coach as well with Chris Beard. He worked the transfer portal well last offseason and could be looking to do the same after this year. Nonetheless, two of the best prospects in the country will be wearing burnt orange in five-star small forward Dillon Mitchell and five-star shooting guard Arterio Morris. Four-star point guard Rowan Brumbaugh has not signed his letter of intent yet but will join the squad.

For some history, this will be the fourth time the Longhorns have participated in the Jimmy V Classic and the first since 2012. Their record is 1-2, beating Villanova and dropping games to Arizona and Georgetown. Duke will be making their fourth appearance as well, dating back to 1998 and as recently as 2016. The Blue Devils are 3-0, defeating Kentucky twice and Florida. Nobody has more wins in the event than Duke.