Texas coach Sean Miller: SEC 'best' league I've coached in

Miller says the SEC is more challenging than the Big East or Pac-12 conferences he previously coached in.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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In his first season as head coach of the Texas Longhorns, Sean Miller has been impressed by the depth and competitiveness of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Miller, who previously coached at Arizona in the Pac-12 and Xavier in the Atlantic-10 and Big East, says the SEC is the most challenging league he's been a part of, with no easy games and the potential for multiple teams to make deep NCAA Tournament runs.

Why it matters

The SEC's reputation as one of the premier college basketball conferences has only grown in recent years, and Miller's assessment underscores just how competitive the league has become from top to bottom. As Texas prepares for the SEC Tournament, Miller's comments highlight the challenge the Longhorns will face in trying to make a postseason run out of the 10th seed.

The details

Miller cited the double-bye teams in this week's SEC Tournament - Florida, Alabama, Arkansas and Vanderbilt - as examples of the league's depth and quality at the top. He also pointed to close losses by 15th-seeded Ole Miss, Texas' first-round opponent, as evidence that there is little separation between the middle and bottom of the conference.

  • Texas (18-13, 9-9 SEC) finished three games better in league play than a year ago.
  • Texas earned a spot in the 2025 NCAA Tournament's First Four despite a 6-12 SEC record last season.
  • Texas will open the SEC Tournament on Wednesday, March 13, 2026 against 15th-seeded Ole Miss.

The players

Sean Miller

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team, who previously coached at Arizona in the Pac-12 and Xavier in the Atlantic-10 and Big East.

Dailyn Swain

A second-team All-SEC selection by the league coaches and the only Texas player to earn postseason recognition.

Cam Heide

A first-year Texas player who spent his previous three seasons at Big Ten powerhouse Purdue.

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What they’re saying

“In my one year here in the SEC, this is as challenging as any I've ever been a part of.”

— Sean Miller, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns (statesman.com)

“Judging the SEC this year, just the depth of the conference. Just the quality of all 16 (teams), just the level of play of those who finished near the bottom, the negligible difference between those that are in the middle.”

— Sean Miller, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns (statesman.com)

“I wouldn't say there was a huge difference. You played everyone twice in the Big East, and that's not the case in the SEC, so I would say that's the main difference. But other than that, I mean, they're two great leagues. You've got to compete every single night.”

— Dailyn Swain, Player, Texas Longhorns (statesman.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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