Texas Hoops: Practice begins Thursday; Duke game 42 days away
By Gerry Hamilton
Sean Miller's first season at Texas begins in 42 days in Charlotte vs. the Duke Blue Devils. Prior to that first game as head coach at Texas, the Longhorns will conduct 30 practices in 42 days per NCAA rules.
The Longhorns in year one under Miller are considered a top 25 team by some, and fringe top 25-30 team by others. They are a team projected to make the NCAA Tournament.
Making the NCAA Tournament in year one under a new coach is not a given. Todd Golden didn't make the tournament in year one at Florida, Danny Hurley the same at UConn, Rick Barnes the same at Tennessee, Bruce Pearl the same Auburn (Happy retirement), Nate Oats the same at Alabama, etc..
I said that to say this, the Texas staff is excited about the roster constructed in year one. There is feeling the team could out perform the rankings/expectations. A lot of that will come down to the guards and wings shooting the three well enough, and playing off of each in Miller's system.
The 2025-26 Longhorns will be the tallest/longest team in a long time on the 40 Acres, if not ever. Only one player measures less than 6-foot-3.
There is also plenty of NCAA Tournament experience on this team. Cam Heide played in National Championship game at Purdue, and had a strong NCAA Tournament last year. Tramon Mark has been part of a Final Four team at Houston, and multiple NCAA Tournament teams. Simeon Wilcher was a starter at St. John's on a No. 2 seed team a year ago. Dailyn Swain was a big part of Xavier's NCAA Tournament team last year. Chendall Weaver has played in two straight NCAA Tournaments at Texas, and Jordan Pope got his first NCAA Tournament action a year ago.
Texas current 2025-26 roster...
Tramon Mark, CG, 6-6, Gr. (10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists)
Simeon Wilcher, CG, 6-4, junior (8.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists)
Jordan Pope, CG, 6-0, senior (11.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists)
Chendall Weaver, G, 6-3, senior (6.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists)
Dailyn Swain, F/G, 6-8, junior (11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals at Xavier)
Camden Heide, F, 6-7, junior (4.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 39.2% from three at Purdue)
Matas Vokietaitas, C, 7-0, sophomore (10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds at FAU)
Lassina Traore, C, 6-10, senior (11.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists in 2023-24 at LBSU)
Nic Codie, PF, 6-9, sophomore
John Clark, PF, 6-8.5, freshman
Declan Duru, F, 6-8.5, freshman
Lewis Obiorah, C, 7-1, freshman
The team ...
Tramon Mark, CG, 6-6, Gr. - starting lead guard. Solid player that will be an improved offensive player in Miller's system.
Simeon Wilcher, CG, 6-4, junior - has been very good since arriving at Texas. High hopes here, with much improved 3-point shooting. Likely the key to Texas playing above their ranking.
Jordan Pope, CG, 6-0, senior - role player shooter and floor spacer off bench. Texas needs him to be an 11-12 ppg level scorer.
Chendall Weaver, G, 6-3, senior - very key role player that should find more offensive fit possibilities playing on the move for Sean Miller
Dailyn Swain, F/G, 6-8, junior - Pro player, that would be a NBA lottery pick if he shot the three well. Terrific all-around basketball player with versatility. A forward/wing that plays like a guard. Will play some big guard in big lineups, at times.
Camden Heide, F, 6-7, junior - key role player and floor spacer with athletic ability
Matas Vokietaitas, C, 7-0, sophomore - Has shown very good motor, hands, toughness and improved game since being at Texas. Pro player on some level in two years.
Lassina Traore, C, 6-10, senior - How he comes back off the ACL will tell the story. Likely he and Matas split minutes for most part at the 5.
Nic Codie, PF, 6-9, sophomore - most improved player from a year ago. If that carries over to games, Codie will be a starter or starter level player.
John Clark, PF, 6-8.5, freshman - Body has improved after missing senior season. Back in basketball shape. Will battle for role minutes.
Declan Duru, F, 6-8.5, freshman - One of the most talented players in the program. Can be a pro player. Combo forward with high-end vertical athletic ability. Sees the game pretty well, and makes catch and shoot three's.
Lewis Obiorah, C, 7-1, freshman - will be a developmental player this season and get stronger... unless there is injury or he races past expectations.
Potential starting lineups ...
Three guard:
Tramon Mark, CG, 6-6, Gr. (10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists)
Simeon Wilcher, CG, 6-4, junior (8.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists)
Chendall Weaver, G, 6-3, senior (6.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists)
Dailyn Swain, F/G, 6-8, junior (11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals at Xavier)
Matas Vokietaitas, C, 7-0, sophomore (10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds at FAU)
Big lineup:
Tramon Mark, CG, 6-6, Gr. (10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists)
Simeon Wilcher, CG, 6-4, junior (8.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists)
Dailyn Swain, F/G, 6-8, junior (11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals at Xavier)
Nic Codie, PF, 6-9, sophomore
Matas Vokietaitas, C, 7-0, sophomore (10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds at FAU)
Texas schedule ...
Note: * - projected NCAA Tournament team
*Nov. 4 - Duke (Charlotte)
Nov. 8 - Lafayette
Nov. 12 - Fairleigh Dickinson
Nov. 15 - Kansas City
Nov. 18 - Rider
Nov. 24-26 Maui Invitational:
Nov. 24 - Arizona State
Nov. 25 - Washington State or Chaminade
Nov. 26 - TBD
*Dec. 3 - ACC/SEC Challenge vs. Virginia
Dec. 8 - Southern
*Dec. 12 - at UConn
Dec. 16 - LeMoyne
Dec. 22 - Maryland Eastern Shore
SEC play:
*Jan. 3 - vs. Mississippi State
*Jan. 6 - at Tennessee
*Jan 10 - at Alabama
*Jan. 13 - vs. Vanderbilt
*Jan. 17 - vs. Texas A&M
*Jan. 20 - at Kentucky
*Jan. 24 - vs. Georgia
*Jan. 27 at Auburn
*Jan. 31 - at Oklahoma
Feb. 3 - vs. South Carolina
*Feb. 7 - vs. Ole Miss
*Feb. 14 - at Missouri
Feb. 17 - vs. LSU
*Feb. 21 - at Georgia
*Feb. 25 - vs. Florida
*Feb. 28 - at Texas A&M
*Mar. 3 - at Arkansas
*Mar. 7 - vs. Oklahoma