Texas' Swain focused on tournament run, not NBA draft

Longhorns' leading scorer is locked in on NCAA First Four matchup against NC State

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:10am

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As Texas prepares for their NCAA tournament First Four matchup against NC State, the Longhorns' leading scorer guard Dailyn Swain is "really just focused on finishing the season as good as we can as a team" and not on his professional future. Swain, who is averaging 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists this season, previously played for Xavier University and is looking to leave Dayton, Ohio with a win for the second consecutive year after beating Texas there last year.

Why it matters

Swain has been the centerpiece of Texas' success this season, and the Longhorns are hoping his focus on the team's NCAA tournament run will help them advance past the First Four and make a deep run in the tournament in head coach Chris Miller's first year.

The details

Texas and NC State met earlier this season in the Maui Invitational on Nov. 26, with the Longhorns coming out on top 102-97. Swain recorded 14 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in that win. Now the stakes are higher, as the winner of Tuesday's First Four matchup will advance to face sixth-seed BYU in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Portland, Oregon.

  • Texas and NC State will play at 8:10 Tuesday night at University of Dayton Arena.
  • Swain scored 11 points in the First Four game last year while playing for Xavier University.

The players

Dailyn Swain

The 6'8" guard from Columbus, Ohio is the leading scorer for the Texas Longhorns, averaging 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game this season.

Chris Miller

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns, who is in his first year with the program.

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What they’re saying

“Playing as hard as I can for the seniors and all the guys who won't be able to play anymore. Trying to make a deep run for coach Miller for his first year here at Texas and letting the country know how good of a coach he is and that's the main thing.”

— Dailyn Swain, Texas Longhorns Guard (KXAN)

“The only good feeling I have [in University of Dayton Arena] is when we [Xavier University] beat Texas here last year, so I'm just trying to hold on to that as much as I can.”

— Dailyn Swain, Texas Longhorns Guard (KXAN)

What’s next

The winner of the Texas vs. NC State First Four matchup will face sixth-seed BYU in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Portland, Oregon.

The takeaway

Dailyn Swain's focus on the team's NCAA tournament run rather than his professional future shows his commitment to the Longhorns' success in head coach Chris Miller's first season. Texas will need Swain's leadership and scoring prowess to navigate a tough First Four matchup against NC State and potentially make a deep tournament run.