Sean Miller will not receive the luxury of easing into year two as the Texas basketball head coach.
The Longhorns’ 2025-26 nonconference schedule begins with a marquee matchup against Duke in Charlotte on Nov. 4. That opening-night challenge will immediately place Miller’s new program under the national spotlight.
Texas will play 13 nonconference games before beginning its 18-game SEC schedule on Jan. 3, according to Joe Cook of Inside Texas. Although much of the slate is manageable, several games could have a significant impact on the Longhorns’ NCAA Tournament résumé.
Duke offers an immediate measuring stick
Texas could hardly have drawn a more difficult debut for Miller.
Duke finished the previous season with a 35-4 record and was ranked No. 1 in KenPom. Facing the Blue Devils at a neutral site will give Miller an early indication of how quickly his players have adapted to his system.
The Longhorns will return to Austin for four consecutive games against Lafayette, Fairleigh Dickinson, Kansas City and Rider. That stretch should provide an opportunity to correct any issues exposed against Duke while developing chemistry before another important trip.
Texas will then participate in the Maui Invitational for the first time since winning the relocated 2020 edition in North Carolina. This will be the program’s first trip to Hawaii for the tournament since 2012.
Arizona State, Boise State, Chaminade, NC State, Seton Hall, USC and Washington State complete the field. Texas is guaranteed three games, giving the Longhorns multiple chances to earn valuable neutral-site victories.
UConn trip headlines December schedule
Texas returns home to face Virginia in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Dec. 3. It will also be a notable early test for Cavaliers coach Ryan Odom, who is beginning his first season in Charlottesville.
The Longhorns host Southern five days later before traveling to Hartford for their toughest true road game of nonconference play. Texas will face UConn at PeoplesBank Arena on Dec. 12, adding another recent national champion to its schedule.
Only Duke and UConn reached the 2025 NCAA Tournament among Texas’ confirmed nonconference opponents. That places additional importance on the Maui Invitational, where a strong showing could improve the Longhorns’ résumé before SEC play.
Home games against Le Moyne and Maryland Eastern Shore close the nonconference schedule.
Texas has several comfortable matchups, but its biggest games are enormous. Between Duke, Maui and UConn, Miller’s opening act should reveal whether the Longhorns are prepared to become an immediate factor in the SEC.
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