Texas, minus its top scorer, prepares to host Michigan

Texas basketball coach Shaka Smart speculated Monday that guard Andrew Jones would be out “at least the next few games” before Christmas with a hairline fracture in his right wrist.

Jones is Texas’ leading scorer at 15.3 points per game.

The Longhorns (6-2) host the Michigan Wolverines (8-3) tonight at the Erwin Center.

The game will be carried on ESPN2 starting at 8 p.m.

In meeting with reporters Monday in Austin, Smart didn’t understate the impact the injury could have on his team.

“Obviously it’s a tough injury for us because he’s our leading scorer and has just done a phenomenal job for us this year,” the coach said. “But we’re really excited and hopeful about getting him back as quick as we can.

“In the short term, it’s one of the reasons you have a team with depth and (it’s) why you bring guys in to step up and be part of something that’s larger than themselves.

“We’re going to need everyone on our team, not just guards, but everyone on our team to step up and take (on) a little more responsibility.”

Forward Dylan Ostetkowski (14.0), guard Kerwin Roach II (11.1) and center Mohamed Bamba (10.7) are Texas’ next three top scorers.

Jones, a sophomore from Irving, suffered the injury in Texas’ 71-67 victory at Virginia Commonwealth last Tuesday.

Junior forward Moritz Wagner (16.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg) leads the Wolverines, who have lost to LSU on a neutral site and to North Carolina and Ohio State on the road.

In its last outing, Michigan won at home on Saturday, beating UCLA 78-69 in overtime.

The Wolverines trailed the Bruins by 15 in the second half and then rallied for a win that will supply substantial momentum leading into Austin.