Texas Longhorns Fall to Oklahoma in OT, Secure No. 10 Seed in SEC Tournament

Senior Jordan Pope's 30-point performance not enough as Longhorns drop heartbreaker to Sooners

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team fell to the Oklahoma Sooners 88-85 in overtime on Saturday night. Despite a game-high 30 points from senior Jordan Pope, the Longhorns were unable to secure the victory and will enter the SEC Tournament as the No. 10 seed, where they will face No. 15 seed Ole Miss in the first round.

Why it matters

The loss to Oklahoma, coupled with the Longhorns' struggles on the boards, highlights areas the team will need to address as they prepare for postseason play. Consistent rebounding and closing out games effectively will be crucial for the Longhorns to make a deep run in the SEC Tournament.

The details

The game featured 11 ties and 10 lead changes, showcasing the competitive nature of the matchup. Texas faced a 12-point deficit late in the second half but managed to force overtime with a 20-8 run, capped by three free throws from Pope with 3.5 seconds remaining in regulation. However, the Longhorns were unable to secure the victory in overtime.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 9, 2026.
  • The SEC Tournament first-round game between Texas and Ole Miss will be on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 6 p.m. Central (7 p.m. Eastern).

The players

Jordan Pope

A senior on the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team who scored a game-high 30 points in the loss to Oklahoma.

Dailyn Swain

A junior on the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team who contributed 18 points, seven rebounds, and a career-high eight assists in a career-high 41 minutes.

Tramon Mark

A graduate student on the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team who added 17 points in the loss.

Matas Vokietaitis

A sophomore on the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team who scored 14 points with six rebounds.

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What’s next

Should they win their first-round contest against Ole Miss, the Longhorns could advance further in the SEC Tournament, but their path will depend on the outcomes of other games. The Longhorns could make a run in the tournament, but they will need to address their rebounding issues and close out games effectively.

The takeaway

This loss to Oklahoma highlights the Longhorns' need to improve their rebounding and ability to maintain leads as they enter the SEC Tournament. While Jordan Pope's performance was exceptional, the team will need to address these areas if they hope to make a deep run in the postseason.