Texas basketball coach Sean Miller completes his first nonconference slate Monday with the Longhorns against Maryland Eastern Shore, an HBCU from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference that has never competed in the NCAA Tournament.
The presumed win for Texas (8-4) — and it’s a safe assumption against a team ranked No. 346 in the latest KenPom ratings — caps the Longhorns’ pre-SEC slate that included a little bit of everything. They played tough in front of hostile crowds in losses against UConn and Duke, two teams currently ranked in the top five by the Associated Press. They split a pair of games against Power Five foes at the Maui Invitational in Hawaii, they got blown out at home by No. 23 Virginia, and they blasted a lineup of cupcakes at Moody Center.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller exchanges words with the referee in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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But will Texas fans see a similar schedule structure next season, when Miller will have had a full year to form his preferred nonconference slate? Yes and no, Miller said after last week’s win over outmanned Le Moyne.
“We have to be smart (and) be able to get better, get confidence and develop a team’s chemistry,” Miller said. “I will be surprised if you guys would look at our schedule moving forward and say, ‘He’s just trying to get wins.’ That’s not it. We want tough challenges. We want to be away from home. We want to be at home. We want to be neutral. And sometimes, we want to be able to really play great at home and win the game. So, I think that’s what we’re after.”
Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) and guard Chendall Weaver (2) avoid a collision on a fast break in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) moves past the defense in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) puts the ball up as Le Moyne Dolphins forward Isaac Nyakundi (32) defends in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller exchanges words with the referee in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Lassina Traore (23) battles defense from Le Moyne Dolphins guard Deng Garang (13) and forward Isaac Nyakundi (32) in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Le Moyne Dolphins guard Tennessee Rainwater (1) attempts to block an attempt from Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Camden Heide (5) dunks the ball in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) drives to the hoop past defense from Le Moyne Dolphins guard Tennessee Rainwater (1) in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) puts the ball up as Le Moyne Dolphins guard Tennessee Rainwater (1) defends in the second half as the Longhorns take on the yne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) puts the ball up in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Camden Heide (5) watches the ball go through the hoop in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) dunks the ball in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) defends against Le Moyne Dolphins guard Eli Greenberg (3) in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) wins the tip-off over Le Moyne Dolphins center Shilo Jackson (4) in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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The bench puts up a three to celebrate three points from a teammate in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) comes out of the game in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Lassina Traore (23) battles Le Moyne Dolphins guard Trent Mosquera (7) for possession under the hoop in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) drives down the court in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Camden Heide (5) puts in a three point shot over Le Moyne Dolphins guard Jakob Blakley (10) in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Declan Duru Jr. (4) listens to coaching during a timeout in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) looks for a way through Le Moyne defense in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) defends against an attempt from Le Moyne Dolphins guard Deng Garang (13) in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Camden Heide (5) falls while battling for the rebound with Le Moyne Dolphins forward Isaac Nyakundi (32) in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) looks for an opening in the Le Moyne Dolphins’ defense in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) is announced in the starting lineup as the Longhorns prepare to take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) puts the ball up as Le Moyne Dolphins center Shilo Jackson (4) defends in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) is fouled by Le Moyne Dolphins forward Isaac Nyakundi (32) in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) dribbles the ball across the court in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) puts the ball up over the Le Moyne Dolphins defense in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) battles Le Moyne defense in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Camden Heide (5) puts the ball in during the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) drives past Le Moyne Dolphins guard Deng Garang (13) in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) shoots for three points in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) puts the ball up over the Le Moyne Dolphins’ defense in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) drives past Le Moyne Dolphins guard Deng Garang (13) in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Seats remain empty minutes before game time as the Texas Longhorns prepare to take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) comes out of the game in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) drives toward the basket in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas coach Sean Miller talks to his team during a timeout in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Camden Heide (5) passes around defense from Le Moyne Dolphins guard Jakai Sanders (2) in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) drives to the basket as Le Moyne Dolphins guard Tennessee Rainwater (1) defends in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller yells at the referees in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Declan Duru Jr. (4) listens to coaching during a timeout in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) waits for his team to set up a play in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) shoots a free throw in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Lassina Traore (23) puts the ball up in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Declan Duru Jr. (4) shoots the ball over defense from Le Moyne Dolphins guard Deng Garang (13) in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) waits for his offense to set up a play in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) shoots free throws in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Le Moyne Dolphins guard Eli Greenberg (3) shoots a three point shot over Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) comes out of the game in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns forward Camden Heide (5) and center Matas Vokietaitis (8) defend against Le Moyne Dolphins center Shilo Jackson (4) in the second half as the Longhorns take on the Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Sean Miller: Texas coach wants more neutral-site games
TEXAS VS. MARYLAND EAST SHORE
When/where: 7 p.m. Monday at Moody Center.
TV/radio: SEC Network+; 1300 AM, 98.1 FM.
Miller said he enjoyed the challenge of facing UConn on the Huskies’ home-away-from-home court in Hartford, Conn. He also appreciated the experience of opening the season against Duke in Charlotte, the largest city in the Blue Devils’ home state of North Carolina.
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But he also doesn’t necessarily want to play those road games again anytime soon, especially considering the current state of Texas basketball, which hasn’t been ranked in a regular-season AP poll in two years. The Longhorns don’t need to just push around patsies, Miller said, but they also want to avoid blowout losses that can lead to a drop in confidence.
“I think you have to have balance,” he said. “You can’t just go one complete way, whether that be that you play nobody, we certainly don’t want to do that. But I also think you have to be careful playing games. Look, if you’re going to schedule UConn, you better be real good. You better have a great team. You better have an experienced team. You better be, like, ‘Look, we can win a national championship, we have all ducks in a row, everything is good.’
“It makes zero sense to play that game home and away and pick them as a game if you don’t feel that way. And I would say ditto for Duke if you’re going to take on Duke on national TV in game one. Then you look at your own program and say, ‘We’re the best version of ourselves, we have built this program, we can go toe-to-toe with any program in the country.’ Because just to play the game to play it makes no sense. So, we’re looking for balance.”
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Ideally, that means facing one or two championship-level teams like Duke or UConn in a neutral setting, Miller said. Those two games were scheduled by the previous Texas regime headed by former coach Rodney Terry, who was fired in March after the Longhorns went 19-16 and lost in an NCAA Tournament First Four game to Miller’s Xavier squad.
Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller watches from the sideline during the game against Southern University at the Moody Center on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
“I would just tell you that there’s some games that obviously we inherited, some games that we scheduled,” Miller said. “I think moving forward, we need to have more neutral-site, heavyweight games against great teams. That neutral site is in Madison Square Garden, that neutral site is in Nashville or Kansas City or Charlotte. But they have to return the game. They have to come to San Antonio, they have to come to Houston or Dallas, right? So, I think we want to create a couple of those.”
MORE: 5-star recruit Austin Goosby pledges to Sean Miller, Longhorns
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Texas basketball schedule: Next year’s nonconference work in progress
Miller hasn’t finalized much of his 2026-27 nonconference schedule, including any potential neutral-site games against elite competition. But the coach does know Texas will compete in the 2026 Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego along with UCLA, Georgetown and Saint Mary’s. The Longhorns will also face off with a yet-to-be-determined ACC opponent in the annual SEC/ACC Challenge.
But Texas will still have its share of creampuff contests at Moody Center in order to develop depth and work through some kinks without worrying too much about a loss.
“I think when you pull up nonconference scheduling, A, you’ve got to know who you are, and then B, you have to give yourself opportunities (to win),” Miller said. “But you also want to make sure that you’re getting ready in a lot of different ways for the beginning of conference play, some of which is confidence.”
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Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) puts the ball up in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Le Moyne Dolphins at the Moody Center in Austin, Dec. 16, 2025.
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Competing in the SEC also diminishes the need for stacking a nonconference schedule in order to build up RPI, Miller asserted. The SEC isn’t the toughest league in college basketball like last year when it set a record with seven teams in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. But ESPN college basketball analyst Joe Lunardi still ranks it as the third-best basketball conference behind the Big Ten and the Big 12. That means Texas will always have plenty of opportunities to build a strong resume regardless of its nonconference slate, Miller said.
“Look, I know the SEC historically a year ago was great,” he said. “I was on the other side of that. I watched it with disbelief. It was just complete and total dominance. So, the dominance isn’t as strong this nonconference season, but make no mistake: We’re still the No. 1 conference in the country. These 18 games (on the SEC schedule), there’s going to be a lot of stiff competition, Quad One games, big opportunities. You can really get beat up, but you can also have great, great wins. So, we know after the holiday season what’s at stake, and my hope is that this nonconference schedule has prepared us well.”
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Texas’ SEC schedule begins Jan. 3 at home against Mississippi State. Guard Tramon Mark said the Longhorns’ nonconference slate has prepared the Longhorns’ for the 18-game SEC grind, even though Texas has played just one team from a power conference since its Dec. 3 loss to Virginia.
“You know, in these nonconference games, you can kind of get complacent a little bit (but) you’ve just got to play hard at all times,” Mark said. “We’ve got a madhouse coming up in the SEC conference, so we just got to make sure we’re locked in defensively, offensively and executing our schemes.”