A testing start
Texas has named Sean Miller as its new head coach for the 2025‑26 season, entrusting the veteran with the task of turning a promising roster into an immediate contender in the Southeastern Conference.
The Longhorns open their schedule with a marquee test in Charlotte on November 4, facing Duke, a team that finished the previous year with a 35‑4 record and held the No. 1 spot in KenPom’s rankings. The matchup is widely viewed as a tough debut for Miller, who must navigate the pressure of a high‑profile debut.
After the Duke game, Texas will host a string of opponents — Lafayette, Fairleigh Dickinson, Kansas City and Rider — over the next few home dates, giving the team a chance to build momentum before the SEC slate begins on January 3.
The centerpiece of the non‑conference stretch is the Maui Invitational, marking the Longhorns’ first appearance in Hawaii since 2012. The tournament will pit Texas against Arizona State, Boise State and UConn, with three neutral‑site games that could provide pivotal wins for the team’s NCAA résumé.
UConn’s visit to PeoplesBank Arena on December 12 adds another recent national champion to the schedule, while the ACC/SEC Challenge on December 3 will see Texas square off against Virginia, a test of Ryan Odom’s first year leading the Cavaliers.
Road trips to Southern in Austin on December 8 and a subsequent game in Hartford round out the non‑conference slate. Analysts say that victories in these high‑stakes contests will be decisive in determining whether the Longhorns can emerge as a major factor in the SEC and secure a strong seed for the upcoming NCAA tournament.