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SEC Hoops Game Thread: Texas vs. No. 7 Florida

By Jeff Howe

· 2945 views

After having its five-game winning streak snapped, Texas returns to Moody Center to face arguably its toughest test of the 2025-26 season when it hosts No. 7 Florida on Wednesday (6 p.m., ESPN2). While the Longhorns remain on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble, a win over the Gators would likely lock Texas (17-10, 8-6 SEC) into the field of 68.

Getting by Florida (21-6, 12-2), which sits atop the SEC standings and enters Wednesday’s game on a seven-game winning streak, will take nothing short of an exceptional performance by the Longhorns.

“Obviously, any time you host the national champion from a year ago, it has amazing meaning,” Sean Miller said on Tuesday. “Really, credit Todd Golden and his program.

“I think it's very impressive to see him and his staff how they've built Florida, especially in the NIL/transfer portal era,” he added. “I think there's a lot you can learn from just watching how they've added and developed their roster. I also think they're playing their very best basketball of this season right now, on a win streak in dominant fashion the last several road games in our league — not easy to do. They've gone on the road and they've won by big, big margins. We know we have our hands full.”

TEXAS vs. No. 7 FLORIDA

When: 6 p.m. CT
Where: Moody Center (Austin, Texas)
TV: ESPN2

Betting line
Florida -6.5
O/U: 157.5

Texas 2025-26 roster
Starters:
Jordan Pope, CG, 6-0, Sr. (13.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists)
Tramon Mark, CG, 6-6, Gr. (13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals)
Camden Heide, F, 6-7, Jr. (6.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 49.4% 3PT) 
Dailyn Swain, F/G, 6-8, Jr. (17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals)
Matas Vokietaitas, C, 7-0, Soph.(15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 0.9 blocks)

Reserves:
Simeon Wilcher, CG, 6-4, Jr. (6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists) 
Chendall Weaver, G, 6-3, Sr. (6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists)
Lassina Traore, C, 6-10, Sr. (3.4 points, 5.1 rebounds) 
Nic Codie, PF,  6-9, Soph. (4.0 points, 2.0 rebounds)
Declan Duru, F, 6-8, Fr. (1.4 points, 1.3 rebounds)

Redshirts:
John Clark, PF, 6-8.5, Fr.
Lewis Obiorah, C, 7-1, Fr.

Texas splits:
49.7% FG/ 74.9% FT/ 35.4% 3PT

Sean Miller file
Career record: 504-206 (71%)
NCAA Tournament record: 22-13
NCAA Tournament: 4 Elite Eights and 8 Sweet 16s
Conference Championships: 8. Five in the Pac-10/Pac-12, and three in the Atlantic 10
Conference Coach of the Year awards: 4. Three in the Pac 10/Pac 12, and one in the Atlantic 10. Also the 2015 USA Basketball National COY in 2015

Texas in the rankings

— Texas is currently No. 37 in the NCAA NET rankings with five Quad 1 wins.
https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings

— KenPom ranks Texas 32 (down from No. 28 last week)
https://kenpom.com/

— Bart Torvik T-Rank checks in at No. 43
https://barttorvik.com/#

— Texas strength of schedule is currently around No. 23, and will likely finish in the top 25
https://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-basketball/ranking/schedule-strength-by-other

Remaining schedule
*- projected NCAA Tournament team
*Feb. 28 - at Texas A&M (No. 42 in NCAA NET) - Quad 1 game 
*Mar. 3 - at Arkansas (No. 18 in NCAA NET) - Quad 1 game 
Mar. 7 - vs. Oklahoma (No. 68 in NCAA NET) - Quad 2 game

    • Hook 'Em 7

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    Jeff Howe

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    Texas is 2-for-2 from 3-point range, 4-for-8 from the field in the first four minutes.

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    Jeff Howe

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    Sean Miller couldn't have asked for a much better first four minutes. He challenged the starters to be better than they were to start the Georgia game and they responded.

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    Jordan91

    Supporters
    2 hours ago, MarkInAustin said:

    Jordan Pope is not a defensive threat against most of the guys he must cover in the SEC.  In fact, he is a liability.  He physically cannot defend the three point line because he must be in the face of the shooter to defend it, which guarantees a foul.  He is better off leaving his man open for three and crashing the boards - it is that bad.  I write this as someone who had the same problem defending guys three inches taller than I on the perimeter.  Might as well race to the boards as the shooter committed.

    [That was in City League, I never played in school].

    There are some good man defenders on the team.  What I find disappointing are team lapses - open lanes, open baselines, allowing a man to get behind the entire team at the basket... .  Two of the best man defenders are the engines of the offense, Swain and Mark.  They may suffer fatigue in grueling games, which shows on defense first.

    I think Matas is quicker than you think he is, Jordan, but I think he simply hasn't mastered the game yet as he is still relying on his height and strength, rather than his positioning.  I believe he is often guilty of [fortunately for Texas uncalled] three second violations, btw.

    I agree, Matas just needs to play more basketball. 

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    Jeff Howe

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    On the floor out of the media timeout: Wilcher, Weaver, Swain, Heide and Codie

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    Jeff Howe

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    The Longhorns have made their last three shots and five of their last seven.

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    Jeff Howe

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    It was an 8-0 run by the Longhorns before that second-chance bucket (and Matas' first foul).

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    LonghornFan4Ever

    Supporters

    A pull up jumper prevents what just happened.

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    • Redshirt

    BabyBevo

    Supporters
    6 hours ago, Jordan91 said:

    Texas has no defense. They win when they are shooting well and find a way to be at least average on defense. The current team will not step up and be consistent for the rest of the season on defense. When a coach has to talk about over and over it means they can’t do it. Florida is excellent at positions Texas is the weakest at. Matas can’t handle their forwards and centers. He doesn’t have the quickness to stay in front of them. He’s slow to rotate to begin with. He’s still learning the game so based off that he is doing very well. This is not something he’s ready for. defensively. Texas has no power forward so good luck with that. Texas still has the punchers chance though. If they light it up from three and Florida just has one of those nights where the ball just won’t go in they can win. I hope they win, but I am not expecting that to happen. I will watch and root for them though. Also Texas crowd doesn’t get that loud anymore anyway. It’s not like Texas has a sizable home court advantage. They cheer on dunks and when the game is close and it’s winning time. Texas is still building in all phases. Hoping for the best. 

    Our student section is the worst. Do they know you’re supposed to be loud all the time? Not just when you have momentum or in big moments. Drives me nuts!

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    Jeff Howe

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    Texas with nine points off four Florida turnovers after Swain's run-out dunk.

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    pinkman_90

    Supporters

    Lee’s hair is so bouncy.  Don’t know how you can play like that 

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    Jeff Howe

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    Tramon Mark already has 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting (2-for-3 on 3-pointers).

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    CJ Vogel

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    Pretty competitive first 13:00 minutes.

    Like what I am seeing from the defensive rebounding perspective.

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    CJ Vogel

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    Texas will certainly need any and all lenient officiating crews in the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament. 

    Only one whistle so far on Texas, which is a huge bonus.

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    Jeff Howe

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    Starters are back on the floor, except Codie is in for Matas, coming out of the media timeout.

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    CJ Vogel

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    That defensive possession from Tramon Mark was fantastic.

    Off. rebound bails out UF.

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