Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) dunks the as Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) leaps to defend during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas A&M Aggies guard Marcus Hill (0) smiles before heading to the locker room after beating the Texas Longhorns in the Lone Star Showdown 74-70, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots over Texas A&M Aggies guard Jacari Lane (5) during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) celebrates scoring under pressure during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies forward Jamie Vinson (4) dunks as Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) defends during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) brings the rebound down during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller sings “The Eyes of Texas” after dropping the first game in the Lone Star Showdown to Texas A&M 74-70 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas A&M Aggies guard Rylan Griffen (3) celebrates as the game draws to a close during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies forward Jamie Vinson (4) jumps to block an attempt from Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) puts the ball up during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) battles Texas A&M defense during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) brings the rebound down during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) blocks an attempt in the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) fouls Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) looks for a pass during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8), forward Dailyn Swain (3) and guard Jordan Pope (0) go for the same rebound over Texas A&M Aggies guard Jacari Lane (5) during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) shoots a free throw during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller yells to his team during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) battles Texas A&M Aggies guard Marcus Hill (0) for the rebound during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies guard Josh Holloway (1) dribbles the ball during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) puts the ball up during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas A&M Aggies head coach Bucky McMillan signals to his team during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) gets ready to shoot a free throw during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) puts the ball up over defense from Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas A&M Aggies guard Pop Isaacs (2) looks for a pass as Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) runs to defend during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) shoots for three over Texas A&M Aggies guard Ruben Dominguez (9) during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas A&M Aggies forward Jamie Vinson (4) protects the ball from Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas A&M Aggies guard Jacari Lane (5) puts the ball up as the Texas defense watches during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies guard Jacari Lane (5) drives past defense from Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots for three during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) battles Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) for the rebound during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) is fouled as he goes up during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) shoots for three as Texas A&M Aggies guard Marcus Hill (0) leaps to block during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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The Texas Longhorns sing “The Eyes of Texas” after dropping the first game in the Lone Star Showdown to Texas A&M 74-70 at the Moody Center in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller watches the game during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies guard Josh Holloway (1) brings the ball down as his team sets up a play during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies guard Rylan Griffen (3) blocks an attempt from Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller gestures to his team during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots for three points during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies guard Ali Dibba (6) puts the ball up as Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) defends during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns forward Lassina Traore (23) puts the ball up over Texas A&M Aggies forward Zach Clemence (7) and guard Ali Dibba (6) during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies guard Ali Dibba (6) drives to the hoop as Texas Longhorns forward Camden Heide (5) defends during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) gets the ball up under defense from Texas A&M Aggies forward Jamie Vinson (4) during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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The Moody Center of Lone Star Showdown as Texas takes on Texas A&M, Jan. 17, 2026.
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Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) brings the rebound down during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) gets the ball up under defense from Texas A&M Aggies forward Jamie Vinson (4) during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) gets ready to shoot a free throw during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots for three as Texas A&M Aggies guard Rylan Griffen (3) leaps to defend during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) dribbles during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) watches as Texas A&M Aggies guard Rylan Griffen (3) puts the ball in during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) dribbles the ball during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) eyes the basket under defense from Texas A&M Aggies guard Ruben Dominguez (9) during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) looks to get the ball up as Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) defends during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots the ball as Texas A&M Aggies guard Ali Dibba (6) defends during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) looks for a way through the Texas A&M defense during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies head coach Bucky McMillan talks to Texas A&M Aggies guard Ruben Dominguez (9) before he subs into the game during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots the ball during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) evades a screen to defend Texas A&M Aggies guard Jacari Lane (5) during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies guard Jacari Lane (5) sinks a free throw with 7.5 seconds left in the game during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) shoots over Texas A&M Aggies guard Jacari Lane (5) during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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The ball slides through the net during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas A&M Aggies forward Jamie Vinson (4) celebrates a dunk over Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) comes out of the game during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) shoots a free throw during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas basketball coach Sean Miller glanced over the stat sheet after Saturday’s 74-70 home loss to rival Texas A&M with a grimace before stating the obvious.
“We didn’t get much from our bench,” he said. “If you look at our bench versus their bench, it was a heavy, heavy lean.”
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The numbers didn’t lie. Five Aggies came off the bench for a total of 66 minutes, including former Longhorn and Austin native Jamie Vinson. Those five players combined for 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting and 10 rebounds while helping wear down a Texas team that didn’t get much from its reserves.
In comparison, the three Texas players that saw action off the bench — guard Chendall Weaver, guard Simeon Wilcher and forward Lassina Traore — tallied a total of six points, eight rebounds and five assists while shooting 1 of 10 from field.
TEXAS AT KENTUCKY
When/where: 6 p.m. Wednesday in Lexington, Ky.
TV/radio: SEC Network; 1300 AM, 98.1 FM.
Texas (11-7, 2-3 SEC) certainly needs more from its reserves in Wednesday’s road trip to Kentucky, Miller said. And it will need more the rest of the way in an SEC that may lack the heavyweights of years past but remains arguably the deepest conference in the nation.
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“In no way did we lose the game just because of that, but if one team really is playing those nine or 10 guys, and they’re getting great production, it’s really important that on our end, we can get some quality production from our bench,” Miller said.
MORE: How a fatal four minutes vs Texas A&M underscores a bigger issue for Texas basketball | Golden
Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) battles defense from Texas A&M Aggies guard Rylan Griffen (3) during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
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For much of the season, the Texas bench has shown that quality. After an early season lineup that included sophomore Nic Codie as a starter, Miller has settled into an eight-player rotation. Jordan Pope and Tramon Mark start at guard, Dailyn Swain leads the team in minutes on the wing, Matas Vokietaitis handles the bulk of the duties in the post and Camden Heide starts at the other forward spot.
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In an ideal scenario for Miller, his three reserves come in with established roles. Weaver, a 6-foot-3 senior, is the energizer defender who grabs rebounds, gets dirty on the court and scores the occasional hustle basket. In last week’s win over previously unbeaten Vanderbilt, he did all of that while racking up six points, nine rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes.
The 6-foot-10, 245-pound Traore comes in to relieve Vokietaitis in the paint. The senior went scoreless for the fourth time this season against Texas A&M, but he’s also had several big games. In a road win at Alabama earlier this month, he grabbed eight rebounds, scored seven points and swatted two shots in 22 minutes.
Wilcher, a 6-foot-4 junior, may have the toughest reserve role since he’s the one player off the bench who can provide proven scoring pop. Although he averages a career-best 8.1 points since transferring to Texas after two seasons at St. John’s, he’s shooting just 36.8% from the floor after a frigid start to SEC play. He’s made just six of his 32 shots in five conference games and is 0-for-8 over the past two, when he’s played a total of 23 minutes.
Are those numbers from those three players concerning? Yes, Miller said. But the coach also pointed out that A&M’s decisive run early in the second half Saturday came against the Longhorns’ starters.
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“I don’t want to point the finger at just those (bench) guys; there’s accountability across the board,” Miller said. “Look, we’ve won a lot of games this year where our bench has delivered. But tonight, that really wasn’t the case.”
Besides, Pope said, any Texas player who steps onto the court should be ready to play as much as needed regardless if he starts or comes off the bench.
“We’ve been playing basketball a long time,” Pope said. “We can’t get wore out over 30-40 minutes if we want to compete at the highest level.”
Texas (11-7, 2-3 SEC) at Kentucky (12-6, 3-2): How to watch
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Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
TV/radio: SEC Network; 1300 AM, 98.1 FM