The University of Texas men’s basketball program is poised to begin the 2026‑27 season with a clear objective: translate the momentum of a Sweet 16 appearance into a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Head coach Sean Miller has crafted a 14‑game nonconference schedule that deliberately tests the team against a variety of opponents from different conferences, a move he believes will sharpen the Longhorns before March.
The early stretch features three straight home games against Chicago State on November 2, Gardner‑Webb on November 5 and Grambling State on November 9, giving the roster a chance to build chemistry in front of its own fans.
The first road test arrives on November 15 at the San Antonio Hoops Showdown, where Texas will meet Baylor, a perennial powerhouse, before returning home for contests against Southern Utah on November 19 and Southern Indiana on November 22.
A highlight of the schedule is the Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego, where the Longhorns will face Georgetown on November 26 and either Saint Mary’s or UCLA on November 27, adding a West Coast showcase to the lineup.
Later in December, Texas will take part in the SEC/ACC Challenge against Louisville on December 1, then host Jackson State on December 8 before traveling to Houston for the Hoopfest against Miami on December 12.
The nonconference slate wraps up with three consecutive home games against Memphis on December 16, Prairie View A&M on December 21 and East Texas A&M on December 29, setting the stage for conference play.
A Strategic Roadmap
Miller says the schedule is designed not just to win games but to give the team the best possible résumé for the NCAA Tournament selection committee. If the Longhorns can navigate this demanding roadmap, the early‑season battles could position them as a top seed when the bracket is unveiled, a prospect that has the fan base buzzing.