Sean Miller is set to begin his first season as the head basketball coach at the University of Texas.
A Fresh Start in Austin
The move comes after three seasons at Xavier, where he won 65 games and reached the NCAA Tournament twice. Miller takes over for Rodney Terry, who made the Big Dance last year but fell in the First Four. After reaching the Elite Eight in his first season, then losing in the second round and First Four, Texas is ready to start anew in its second season of SEC play.
Here’s a look at the Longhorns’ non-conference schedule for the 2025-26 season.
November 4 – vs. Duke (Charlotte)
Right out of the gate, Sean Miller gets a major test. The Longhorns face a Duke program fresh off another Final Four run and once again among the national title favorites. Jon Scheyer will have a new roster, so Miller and Texas won’t have much of a scouting edge. Duke has won all three prior meetings between these programs.
November 8 – vs. Lafayette
The Leopards visit Austin for the start of a four-game homestand. This matchup gives Texas a chance to regroup if things don’t go their way in Charlotte. Expect the Longhorns to use their depth and athleticism to dominate on both ends of the floor.
November 12 – vs. Fairleigh Dickinson
A few days later, Texas stays home for another favorable matchup. The Longhorns’ size and speed should overwhelm the visitors. Expect Miller to rotate lineups and give younger players a chance to build confidence early in the season.
November 15 – vs. Kansas City
The Roos come to town for game three of the homestand. Kansas City plays hard but lacks the interior presence to challenge Texas. This should be another opportunity for the Longhorns to work on pace and spacing before tougher tests arrive.
November 18 – vs. Rider
Rider closes out the four-game stretch at the Moody Center. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Broncs are experienced in the MAAC, but this is a big step up in competition. Expect a comfortable Texas win.
November 24 – vs. Arizona State (Maui Invitational)
The Longhorns open the Maui Invitational with a matchup against Arizona State. Both teams are looking for redemption after up-and-down 2024-25 campaigns. This will be just the second all-time meeting between the schools, with the last one coming back in 2014.
November 25 – vs. Washington State or Chaminade (Maui Invitational)
Texas will take on either Washington State or Chaminade in its second game in Hawaii. Miller’s squad will look to stay sharp and earn a shot at the championship game in the islands.
November 26 – vs. TBA (Maui Invitational)
A third game in three days will push both teams’ stamina and depth. This early-season grind is exactly the kind of test Miller wants for his players before SEC play begins.
December 3 – vs. Virginia
A compelling battle between two disciplined, defensive-minded teams. Both Texas and Virginia are adapting to new leadership, and this early December clash will reveal which side is further along. Expect a physical, low-scoring affair.
December 8 – vs. Southern
The Jaguars head to Austin for what should be a tune-up game. Southern has been one of the better programs in the SWAC, but their lack of size will make this a difficult matchup. Expect Texas to control the tempo and dominate inside.
December 12 – vs. UConn (Hartford)
A marquee showdown awaits in Hartford as the Longhorns visit the powerhouse UConn Huskies. Dan Hurley’s program has claimed two of the last three NCAA Tournament titles and enters the season as a heavy favorite again. This matchup between Miller and Hurley should be intense, especially with both squads built on toughness and discipline.
December 16 – vs. Le Moyne
Le Moyne continues its Division I transition, and this game will serve as another opportunity for Texas to refine its bench rotation. Expect the Longhorns to push the pace and run away with this one early.
December 22 – vs. Maryland Eastern Shore
The final non-conference matchup of the season comes right before the holidays. Maryland Eastern Shore will try to slow the game down, but Texas’s athletic edge and defensive intensity should lead to a convincing win.
Longhorns Seek Bounce Back Season
Texas is no stranger to high-profile matchups, and Sean Miller’s first season will be no different. Between marquee showdowns against Duke, Virginia, and UConn, plus a tough Maui Invitational field, the Longhorns will be well-tested before diving into the SEC grind. The Miller era in Austin begins with plenty of intrigue and plenty of expectations.