Texas Basketball to Start Season Ranked No. 7
The Longhorns open their second season under coach Sean Miller on November 2, 2026, with 11 new players on the roster.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Basketball
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Longhorns basketball fans will see a significantly reshaped roster when the team kicks off its second season under head coach Sean Miller on November 2, 2026. The program starts the campaign at No. 7 in the national polls following a busy offseason of recruiting.
Why it matters
Coming off the departure of Dailyn Swain, who went 15th overall in the NBA draft, the team is tasked with integrating 11 new players to sustain their momentum. Expectations for another deep postseason run remain high as the squad balances heavy roster turnover with its veteran leadership.
The team enters the season ranked No. 7 in the AP preseason poll, compared to the No. 5 ranking held to start the 2021-2022 season. It is currently unknown how the new roster, featuring 11 new players, will perform throughout the schedule.
The players
Sean Miller
He is the head coach of the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team entering his second season.
Matas Vokietaitis
He is the team's only returning starter who averaged 15.6 points per game last season.
The details
Coach Sean Miller has completely overhauled the lineup, retaining only Matas Vokietaitis as a returning starter. Vokietaitis, who averaged 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds last season, will be joined by transfers David Punch, Amari Evans, Elyjah Freeman, and Mikey Lewis. Additionally, sophomore Lewis Obiorah joins the frontcourt, and freshman Marcus Spears Jr. arrives early after reclassifying. The team begins its competitive test against Chicago State before traveling to San Antonio and Louisville later this year.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Texas opens the season against Chicago State.
November 15, 2026: The team faces Baylor in San Antonio.
December 1, 2026: Texas travels to play Louisville.
January 2, 2027: SEC play begins against Florida.
The Texas Context
The current No. 7 preseason ranking follows the program's No. 5 position to start the 2021-2022 season. This latest outlook reflects the high expectations persistent in the post-Swain era.
Local fans can catch the season opener against Chicago State on November 2, 2026. Those planning to travel for games should note the November 15 matchup against Baylor takes place in San Antonio.
The takeaway
Fans should keep an eye on how quickly the 11 new additions integrate into the rotation during the non-conference stretch. Monitoring the early SEC matchup against Florida on January 2, 2027, will be key to gauging the team's postseason potential.
Further reading
Find more updates and coverage of the team on our Basketball page.
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