After stealing Sean Miller from the Big East, Texas has encountered several speed humps in the early part of the season. Now, seeking a massive opportunity, Miller will have his stab at a former Big East foe.
The No. 5 UConn Huskies will host the Texas Longhorns in a non-conference game.
Texas will open this contest with a 7-3 record, having lost to No. 3 Duke, Arizona State and No. 24 Virginia. The Longhorns have marked just one Power Four victory thus far against NC State. This largely comes in part of the recent turn over following Miller's hire. Miller formerly coached at Xavier.
Miller was largely successful in his two stints with the Musketeers. He tallied a 186-87 record, while leading the team to six NCAA Tournament berths. In his first year with the Longhorns, he now seeks to replicate that success. However, the wheels are not turning very fast.
Texas retained just a handful of players from last season and acquired a wave of transfers including former Xavier players. In a balanced scoring attack, both FAU transfer Matas Vokietaitis, and Xavier transfer Dailyn Swain lead the team with 15.9 and 15.7 points.
In their last game against Southern, Vokietaitis exploded for 28 points and 6 rebounds. The Longhorns shot 40% from deep and 56.9% from the field. Texas has one of the highest-octane offenses in the nation, averaging 89.1 points per game–good for 22 in the country.
At times, it’s been a struggle on the defense end, where the team has allowed 73.2 points, on average. Texas will undoubtedly have its hands full in having to face a top-five team in the country. UConn has been more than steady with Dan Hurley for years. After winning back-to-back titles in 2023-2024, the Huskies were believed to have had some of their best historical teams.
But Hurley is defining the odds and is confident that his current team might be even better. UConn holds a 9-1 record with several notable wins including BYU, Kansas, Illinois and most recently, the defending national champion Florida Gators. All of those teams are ranked in the AP Poll.
UConn’s lone loss came in a close one against the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats. The Huskies pose an incredible amount of depth and it starts with Solo Ball who is in his third-year with UConn. While he isn’t shooting particularly well from three, Ball is averaging a team-high 15 points and most recently led the team against Florida scoring 19 points.
Aside from Ball, UConn’s Tarris Reed and Alex Karaban have held down the frontcourt averaging 14.8 and 13.4 points. To make it more impressive, Reed has missed five games with an injury – nonetheless, UConn has continued to roll.
UConn is a sure title contender this season, currently ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll, and 7 in Ken Pom. Texas is ranked 50 in the Ken Pom Ratings.
UConn vs. Texas: When and Where
Date: Friday, December 12, 2025, 8:00 pm ET
Location: XL Center, Hartford
UConn vs. Texas: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch: FOX
Streaming: FuboTV
UConn vs. Texas: Betting Odds
Spread: UConn -15.5, Texas +15.5
Moneyline: UConn -2100, Texas +1000
Total: 145.5
UConn vs. Texas: Series History
All time series: UConn leads 5-1
Last meeting: UConn 76, Texas 65 (December 8, 2024)
Projected Starting Lineups
UConn Huskies
- Solo Ball (15.0 ppg)
- Silas Demary Jr. (10.0 ppg, 5.1 ast)
- Jaylin Stewart (6.4 ppg)
- Alex Karaban (13.4 ppg)
- Tarris Reed Jr. (14.8, 7.6 reb)
Texas Longhorns
- Jordan Pope (12.5 ppg)
- Tramon Mark (9.9 ppg)
- Dailyn Swain (15. 7 ppg, 6.9 reb, 3.5 ast)
- Camden Heide (7.2 ppg)
- Matas Vokietaitis (15.9 ppg)
Not only are the Huskies one of the best teams in the nation, but they are the clear best team in the Big East. Texas must contain the three-point line and halt scoring runs in order to leave Hartford with a victory. When Hurley’s team goes on runs, it becomes significantly difficult to cut that momentum.
Miller knows UConn all too well and will likely implement tactical defensive schemes to disrupt any rhythm. Ultimately, Texas will need a touch of everything. Good shooting, high energy, turnovers and controlling the pace of play, will all need to fall in the Longhorns’ favor.
However, if there is any past indication of how this game might go, it will be a close one. In their season opener last season, Miller’s Xavier team took UConn to overtime on the road, then won 76-72, at home. By the metrics, expect a hard-fought game.