Texas Longhorns Basketball Faces Oklahoma Sooners in Key SEC Matchup

Live updates, betting information, and analysis as Texas takes on Oklahoma in a crucial conference game.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 10:47am

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The Texas Longhorns basketball team faces a pivotal SEC matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Texas, currently on the NCAA Tournament bubble with a NET ranking of 41, needs a key Quad 1 win to bolster its postseason resume. Oklahoma, despite a 1-7 conference record, poses a dangerous threat with its high-powered offense led by guards Xzayvier Brown and Nijel Pack.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for Texas' NCAA Tournament hopes, as the Longhorns look to pick up a valuable Quad 1 win against an Oklahoma team that, while struggling in conference play, still ranks 75th in the NET ratings. The outcome could significantly impact Texas' chances of making the Big Dance.

The details

Texas' defense, ranked 113th nationally in efficiency, will need to step up to slow down Oklahoma's high-scoring offense that averages 83.5 points per game and has made 204 3-pointers, the fourth-most in the SEC. The Longhorns' guard tandem of Xzayvier Brown and Nijel Pack combine for 32.3 points per game and will be a tough matchup for the Texas defense.

  • The game tips off at 1 p.m. Central Time on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

The players

Xzayvier Brown

A dangerous scoring guard for the Oklahoma Sooners, averaging 16.2 points per game.

Nijel Pack

Oklahoma's other starting guard, averaging 16.1 points per game and helping the Sooners rank fourth in the SEC in 3-pointers made.

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What they’re saying

“This game is a must-win for Texas if they want to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. They need to find a way to slow down Oklahoma's high-powered offense.”

— Jim Boeheim, College Basketball Analyst

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a significant step towards securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament, while the loser will face an uphill battle to make the Big Dance.

The takeaway

This SEC matchup between Texas and Oklahoma has major implications for both teams' postseason aspirations. Texas must find a way to shore up its defense and limit Oklahoma's scoring threats if the Longhorns want to pick up a crucial Quad 1 win and strengthen their NCAA Tournament resume.