{"id":152097,"date":"2026-02-05T13:06:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T13:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/152097\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T13:06:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T13:06:17","slug":"how-texas-basketball-can-slow-opposing-guards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/152097\/","title":{"rendered":"How Texas basketball can slow opposing guards"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the fifth time this season, an opposing guard scored a career-high in points Tuesday during Texas basketball<\/a>\u2019s 84-75 win over South Carolina<\/a>\u00a0at Moody Center.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

And for what seems like, well, the 23rd time for Texas (14-9, 5-5 SEC), coach Sean Miller<\/a> tried to make sense of how his defense keeps getting torched by someone else\u2019s backcourt. In this case, South Carolina\u2019s Meechie Johnson burned the Texas defense with a career-high 35 points that included 10 free throws on 14 attempts from the line.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forwards Camden Heide (5) and Lassina Traore (23) battle Georgia Bulldogs guard Blue Cain (0) for the ball in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Georgia<\/p>\n

Georgia Bulldogs forward Jake Wilkins (21) falls from the rim after a collision with Texas Longhorns forward Lassina Traore (23) that was reviewed and ruled a flagrant foul in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) puts the ball up as Georgia Bulldogs guard Marcus Millender (4) watches in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller coaches his team during a timeout in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) eyes the hoop in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) catches the ball in an attempt to keep it in-bounds as a time-out is called and a turnover was avoided in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) puts his arms up to encourage the crowd as the clock winds down in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) battles Georgia Bulldogs guard Jordan Ross (3) and center Somto Cyril (2) for the rebound in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Susan<\/p>\n

Susan Hicks walks with her grandchildren, Wyatt, 6, and Reese, 4, Vedros in the cold wind as they head in to see their first Longhorns\u2019s game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026 as temperatures drop across the Central Texas area ahead of anticipated freezing precipitation.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forwards Camden Heide (5) and Lassina Traore (23) defend in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) puts the ball up in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) applauds as the crowd gives the team a standing ovation as the clock winds down in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forward Nic Codie (10) puts up three fingers to celebrate a teammates three-point-shot in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Omari<\/p>\n

Omari Tucker, a senior sousaphone player in the Longhorn Marching Band, heads out of the cold weather and into the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026 as temperatures drop across the Central Texas area ahead of anticipated freezing precipitation.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) shoots for three over Georgia Bulldogs guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (5) in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) keeps the ball away from Georgia Bulldogs guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (5) in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) sits on the bench in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"The<\/p>\n

The Texas Marching Band in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) dribbles the ball in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) calms down center Matas Vokietaitis (8) after a foul call in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Georgia<\/p>\n

Georgia Bulldogs forward Jake Wilkins (21) falls from the rim after a collision with Texas Longhorns forward Lassina Traore (23) that was reviewed and ruled a flagrant foul in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Kristina<\/p>\n

Kristina Beck, a Texas fan, pulls up her tickets as she heads out of the cold weather and into the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026 as temperatures drop across the Central Texas area ahead of anticipated freezing precipitation.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Kristine<\/p>\n

Kristine B. and her daughter, family members of Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) take a photo outside the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026 as temperatures drop across the Central Texas area ahead of anticipated freezing precipitation.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"A<\/p>\n

A referee holds the ball during timeout in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Rachel<\/p>\n

Rachel Hernandez and her son, Gabe, 8, brace against the cold wind as they head into the basketball game and out of the cold weather and into the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026 as temperatures drop across the Central Texas area ahead of anticipated freezing precipitation.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Pom performs on the court during a timeout in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) smiles during \u2018\u201cThe Eyes of Texas\u201d after the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"A<\/p>\n

A young Texas fan, braced against the cold wind, heads out of the cold weather and into the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026 as temperatures drop across the Central Texas area ahead of anticipated freezing precipitation.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Reese<\/p>\n

Reese Vendors, 4, is bundled up against the cold as holds her grandma\u2019s hand and heads out of the cold weather and into her first Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026 as temperatures drop across the Central Texas area ahead of anticipated freezing precipitation.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) listens to coaching during a timeout in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) looks for way around defense some Georgia Bulldogs center Somto Cyril (2) in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) puts the ball up in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guards Jordan Pope (0) and Chendall Weaver (2) smile during \u2018\u201cThe Eyes of Texas\u201d after the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"The<\/p>\n

The starting lineup is announced ahead of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) shoots for three points in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller shouts to his team in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) smiles after subbing out of the game in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) drives around Georgia Bulldogs forward Kanon Catchings (6) in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forward Camden Heide (5) battles Georgia Bulldogs guard Blue Cain (0) for the ball in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) dribbles the ball in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Georgia<\/p>\n

Georgia Bulldogs forward Jake Wilkins (21) falls from the rim after a collision with Texas Longhorns forward Lassina Traore (23) that was reviewed and ruled a flagrant foul in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Georgia<\/p>\n

Georgia Bulldogs guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (5) throws the ball as he falls in the second half of the Texas Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) holds his jaw after a collision in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) catches the ball over Georgia Bulldogs forward Kareem Stagg (1) in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) puts the ball up over Georgia Bulldogs forward Justin Abson (25) in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) waits to sub into the game in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) defends against Georgia Bulldogs guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (5) in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) tries to push the ball out of the hands of Georgia Bulldogs forward Justin Abson (25) in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) puts the ball up over Georgia Bulldogs guard Jordan Ross (3) in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) defends against an attempt from Georgia Bulldogs guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (5) in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forward Lassina Traore (23) celebrates a play with guard Chendall Weaver (2) in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) shoots over defense from Georgia Bulldogs guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (5) in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Young<\/p>\n

Young Texas fans take their shirts off as their team takes the lead in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) brings the ball down in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) is fouled for an attempt at an extra point by Georgia Bulldogs center Somto Cyril (2) in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) puts the ball up to score in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) drives out from the corner in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) smiles after subbing out of the game in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) battles defense from Georgia Bulldogs guards Blue Cain (0) and guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (5) in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Georgia<\/p>\n

Georgia Bulldogs forward Justin Abson (25) wins the rebound over Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Georgia<\/p>\n

Georgia Bulldogs center Somto Cyril (2) dunks the ball as Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) defends in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) defends as Georgia Bulldogs guard Jordan Ross (3) drives in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) dunks the ball in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Georgia<\/p>\n

Georgia Bulldogs guard Jordan Ross (3) looks for a way through Texas defense in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Georgia<\/p>\n

Georgia Bulldogs guard Jordan Ross (3) puts the ball up in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) defends as Georgia Bulldogs guard Blue Cain (0) drives toward the hoop in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forward Lassina Traore (23) applauds a teammate in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Georgia<\/p>\n

Georgia Bulldogs guard Marcus Millender (4) shouts a play to his team in the first half of the Texas Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) passes to a teammate in the first half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman\"The<\/p>\n

The Texas bench celebrate three points in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, we don’t want to give those guys that many,\u201d Miller said. \u201cIt’s tough to win when guys get 30, 35 (points).\u201d<\/p>\n

But at least Tuesday, there was a method to what can look like the madness of sticking with a man-to-man defense that eschews double teams.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did limit their 3-point shooting, which is one of our goals,\u201d he said, glancing at a postgame stat sheet that showed the Gamecocks made just two of their 11 3-point attempts. \u201cWhen South Carolina wins, they make threes. So, we didn’t double them, didn’t do some other things, but they only made two threes tonight. I think at the end of the day, it’s hard for them to win when they only make two threes.\u201d<\/p>\n

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MORE: Why Sean Miller keeps faith in Chendall Weaver, Texas basketball’s bench<\/a><\/p>\n

Sean Miller: Struggles against elite guards a seasonlong trend<\/p>\n

But Miller knows his man-to-man defense against elite guards remains a problem<\/a>. When opposing guards go off against Texas, the Longhorns usually lose.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Arizona State\u2019s Maurice\u00a0Odum scored a career-high 36 points Nov. 24 in an 87-86 win over Texas<\/a> at the Maui Invitational. He went 16-for-18 from the foul line. Mississippi State\u2019s Josh Hubbard<\/a> posted a career-high 38 points Jan. 3 in a 101-98 overtime win over Texas in the SEC opener. He made 12-of-15 free throws. Tennessee\u2019s Ja’Kobi Gillespie\u00a0set a career-high with 34 points in an 85-71 win Jan. 6<\/a> in an SEC game. He made all five of his free throws.<\/p>\n

\"South<\/p>\n

South Carolina’s Meechie Johnson, left, drives to the basket against Simeon Wilcher of the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Moody Center on Feb. 3, 2026, in Austin. Johnson became the fifth guard this season to score a career-high against Texas in the Longhorns’ 84-75 win. (Photo by Scott Wachter\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Scott Wachter\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Even Chaminade\u2019s Nathan Medina scored a career-high 30 points, albeit, in the Longhorns\u2019 119-78 win Nov. 25 at the Maui Invitational. He did most of his damage from long distance with eight made 3-pointers and just two free throws.<\/p>\n

See a pattern? Miller and his team certainly do.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAs you guys know, because you’ve covered us from day one, most of those guys, that’s what they get against us,\u201d Miller told the media after Tuesday\u2019s win over Johnson and South Carolina.<\/p>\n

MORE: Texas basketball grades: Longhorns draw mixed results at SEC midway point<\/a><\/p>\n

Dailyn Swain: Team defense critical even in man-to-man<\/p>\n

South Carolina coach Lamont Paris has known Miller for years and said that \u201chistorically. \u2026 (Miller) has had really good defensive teams.\u201d Part of Miller\u2019s defensive philosophy leans on playing man-to-man defense without much switching. That enabled Johnson, a physical 6-foot-2 guard who averages 16.5 points a game, to isolate himself against Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark and the other perimeter defenders for Texas.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe way they were guarding allowed him to get it a little bit of a head of steam, and then he had to make decisions at the end of it,\u201d Paris said. \u201cI thought Meechie did a good job of getting his body into defenders. He was patient around the basket and made a couple of really strong finishes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Longhorns\u2019 defensive philosophy stands out in the SEC, Paris said.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of teams in our league switch pretty much everything,\u201d he said. \u201cSean doesn’t do that. There’s a lot of one-on-one. Honestly, recently it’s been against bigger guys. This was probably the first time in a while it’s been one-on-one against perimeter guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) keeps possession as he falls near the hoop in the second half of the Longhorns\u2019 game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.<\/p>\n

Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

So, how can Texas slow down the glut of guards in the SEC that includes Ole Miss\u2019s AJ Storr, who enters Saturday\u2019s game against the Longhorns averaging 19.9 points a game over the past seven contests? The Longhorns still need to lean on team defense even while playing man-to-man, said wing Dailyn Swain<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe guards in this league are so good that not one guy is going to be able to stop another guy,\u201d he said. \u201cNot one person on our team is going be able to stop their best scoring guard, whoever it is. We need to play team defense. If we can really try to limit the one-on-one game and being in gaps and being able to get back to shooters, knowing personnel, playing personnel, that’s really going to help us going forward and playing team defense.\u201d<\/p>\n

And if that means the 6-foot-8 Swain, the Longhorns\u2019 leading scorer at 17.7 points a game, has to sometimes take on added defensive responsibility, so be it.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoach Miller expects a lot out of me, and so does my team,\u201d Swain said. So, when I take those assignments, it’s a big challenge, and I know my teammates have my back off the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texas (14-9, 5-5 SEC) vs. Ole Miss (11-11, 3-7): How to watch<\/p>\n

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Where:\u00a0Moody Center, Austin<\/p>\n

TV\/radio:\u00a0ESPN+; 1300 AM, 98.1 FM<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For the fifth time this season, an opposing guard scored a career-high in points Tuesday during Texas basketball\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":152098,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[19753,63002,27,29,537,50141,28],"class_list":["post-152097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-texas","tag-sean-miller","tag-sec-mens-basketball","tag-texas","tag-texas-headlines","tag-texas-longhorns","tag-texas-longhorns-mens-basketball","tag-texas-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152097","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=152097"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152097\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/152098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=152097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=152097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=152097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}