OTF Premium Sean Miller previews No. 7 Texas' season opener vs. Chicago State | Sunday, 2:45 p.m.

[Jeff Howe]

I'm on a Zoom call with Sean Miller. We're starting momentarily. He'll be taking questions ahead of the 2026-27 season opener against Chicago State at Moody Center on Monday (8 p.m., SEC Network).

[Jeff Howe]

Texas has the following possible starting lineup listed in the game notes for the opener:

G — Isaiah Johnson

G — Austin Goosby

G/F — Elyjah Freeman

F — David Punch

C — Matas Vokietaitis 

[Jeff Howe]

Where Sean Miller ranks among the winningest active head coaches by winning percentage in Division I:

[Jeff Howe]

We're getting started...

[Jeff Howe]

On a possible rotation for the early-season games, Miller said Texas has a rotation.

"What's the best version of our team on Nov. 2?" he said. "We should have enough information to know who should start."

[Jeff Howe]

Miller wouldn't be surprised if the starting lineup changed, just like it did last season.

[Jeff Howe]

Miller hopes to play everybody on the bench in tomorrow's game against Chicago State.

[Jeff Howe]

Regarding the rotation, Mikey Lewis' injury "changed a lot of things for us," Miller said.

[Jeff Howe]

Just now, Jeff Howe said:

Regarding the rotation, Mikey Lewis' injury "changed a lot of things for us," Miller said.

Miller said Texas expects Lewis to return in mid-to-late December.

[Jeff Howe]

Without Lewis, Austin Goosby, Bo Ogden and Joe Sterling are in more prominent roles. Texas is young and inexperienced without Lewis in the backcourt.

"Without Mikey, it makes us younger," he said. Miller added that the youth might've shown up in the exhibition against St. John's.

[Jeff Howe]

Miller: "Tomorrow is the first time everybody except Matas has played a home game at Moody... We have to get through these types of experiences, especially in the month of November."

[Jeff Howe]

John Clark recently broke a bone in his hand. He's three weeks removed from the injury and can do non-contact activities. Miller said he could be back for Thursday's game against Gardner-Webb.

[Jeff Howe]

Just now, Jeff Howe said:

John Clark recently broke a bone in his hand. He's three weeks removed from the injury and can do non-contact activities. Miller said he could be back for Thursday's game against Gardner-Webb.

That should mean more time for Marcus Spears Jr.

[Jeff Howe]

Miller said Lewis Obiorah "is right on the brink of being able to play," Miller said. The 7-foot-1-inch sophomore didn't play last season.

[Jeff Howe]

Just now, Jeff Howe said:

Miller said Lewis Obiorah "is right on the brink of being able to play," Miller said. The 7-foot-1-inch sophomore didn't play last season.

Miller said they want to put Obiorah on the floor when they can count on him to defend and rebound.

[Jeff Howe]

Miller said he changed the way he covered screens in his second stint at Xavier, relying more on drop coverage. He brought that to Texas because he didn't feel the Longhorns could handle it because of the lack of depth, particularly in the front court.

With that said, expect Texas to be more aggressive this season, Miller said. He expects this team will play with better tempo and be able to rely more on blocks and deflections than last year's team did.

The change is part personnel, part philosophy.

[Jeff Howe]

Miller "would like to think we're smarter, we're better, we know more about our team and each other than we did a week ago," after the exhibition against St. John's at MSG.

[Jeff Howe]

Texas will "play each game for the win" in non-conference play, but Miller wants to see improvement from now until SEC play begins.

[Kevin C]

15 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

Texas has the following possible starting lineup listed in the game notes for the opener:

G — Isaiah Johnson

G — Austin Goosby

G/F — Elyjah Freeman

F — David Punch

C — Matas Vokietaitis 

Fired up to watch this team get the season started.    Haven’t been this excited for basketball season in a long time.   
 

Hook em!! 🐂🤘🏼🧡

[Jeff Howe]

On Matas' lack of rebounding in the first half against St. John's, Miller said there's no running from roles: everyone must be held accountable for Texas to get where it wants to be.

In Matas' case, Miller said he was at his best in March. He has to pick up where he left off and he has more of a leadership role on this team.

[Jeff Howe]

Just now, Jeff Howe said:

On Matas' lack of rebounding in the first half against St. John's, Miller said there's no running from roles: everyone must be held accountable for Texas to get where it wants to be.

In Matas' case, Miller said he was at his best in March. He has to pick up where he left off and he has more of a leadership role on this team.

Miller: "He has to hold his end of the bargain up. Not that he has to score 20 points and get 10 rebounds every game."

The expectation is for Matas to be bigger, better and smarter in his second season with the Longhorns, Miller said.

[Jeff Howe]

Miller didn't feel Matas "set the proper tone for our team" in the first half of the St. John's exhibition.

[Jeff Howe]

Just now, Jeff Howe said:

Miller didn't feel Matas "set the proper tone for our team" in the first half of the St. John's exhibition.

Seeing and feeling that impact has helped Matas bounce back and improve since getting back from New York.

"He's had a couple of really good days heading into our season opener," Miller said.

[Jeff Howe]

November is about learning lessons, Miller said.

[Jeff Howe]

Just now, Jeff Howe said:

November is about learning lessons, Miller said.

Texas has grown and learned from two closed scrimmages against Arizona State and SMU, plus the exhibition against St. John's.