Texas Basketball to Open Season on November 2
The No. 7 ranked Longhorns begin their second season under coach Sean Miller against Chicago State.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Basketball
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The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team prepares to tip off its 2026-27 season on November 2 against Chicago State. Ranked No. 7 in the national polls, the team enters the new campaign with a roster significantly reshaped under coach Sean Miller.
Why it matters
The program enters this season with high expectations for another deep postseason run. Coach Sean Miller has overhauled the roster to account for the departure of key talent while aiming to build upon the team's standing as a top-tier contender.
The roster features 11 new players, including five transfers, while Matas Vokietaitis returns as the team's only starter from last season. Vokietaitis averaged 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game during the previous campaign.
The players
Sean Miller
He serves as the head coach for the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team and is entering his second season leading the program.
Matas Vokietaitis
He is a returning player for the Texas Longhorns and serves as the team's only starter from the previous season.
Dailyn Swain
He was a former player for Texas who was selected No. 15 overall in the NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls.
The details
Coach Sean Miller rebuilt the team by signing transfers David Punch, Amari Evans, Elyjah Freeman, and Mikey Lewis, while sophomore Lewis Obiorah joins after sitting out last year. Additionally, Marcus Spears Jr. has reclassified to skip his senior year of high school to join the squad, filling the void left by Dailyn Swain who was selected No. 15 overall in the NBA draft.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Texas opens the season against Chicago State.
November 15, 2026: Texas faces Baylor in San Antonio.
December 1, 2026: Texas travels to play Louisville.
January 2, 2027: Texas begins SEC play against Florida.
Season Trajectory
The high preseason ranking signals that Texas is expected to remain a primary contender for a deep postseason run as it did during the 2021-2022 season. This year's success will depend on how quickly coach Sean Miller can integrate 11 new players into the team's rotation.
The team's reliance on 11 new players and only one returning starter means rotation patterns and primary scoring options will likely shift significantly in the opening weeks. With Dailyn Swain's departure to the NBA, the team must replace his 17.3 points per game average with new offensive production.
The takeaway
Fans should monitor the team's early non-conference schedule to see how the large influx of new transfers and recruits develops under coach Sean Miller. Establishing a consistent rotation early will be critical for the team to maintain its No. 7 national ranking throughout the season.
Further reading
For more on the team's preparation, visit Austin Basketball.
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