Texas Basketball Reloads Through Transfer Portal Under Sean Miller

Longhorns add key frontcourt pieces to replace departing stars as coach looks to build on Sweet 16 run.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:39pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes in shades of orange, blue, and green, conceptually representing the strategic rebuilding of the Texas basketball team.Sean Miller's strategic roster overhaul aims to transform Texas into an SEC powerhouse.Austin Today

In his first season as Texas head coach, Sean Miller led the Longhorns to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament despite a rocky regular season. Now, Miller is working to rebuild the team's frontcourt through the transfer portal, adding TCU forward David Punch and securing the return of 7-footer Matas Vokietatitis. The Longhorns must replace their top three scorers from last season, including Dailyn Swain, who declared for the NBA Draft. Miller is hoping Colorado transfer Isaiah Johnson can help fill that void with his 3-point shooting and scoring ability.

Why it matters

After a disappointing 10th-place finish in the SEC last season, Miller is looking to quickly turn Texas into a contender at the top of the league. Rebuilding the frontcourt will be crucial, as the Longhorns look to establish an inside-out offensive identity and play through their talented big men.

The details

Miller's first priority was securing the return of 7-foot center Matas Vokietatitis for his junior season. The coach then added TCU transfer David Punch, who averaged 14.1 points per game last year, to bolster the frontcourt. Texas must replace its top three scorers from last season - Tramon Mark, Jordan Pope, and Dailyn Swain, who declared for the NBA Draft. Miller is hoping Colorado transfer Isaiah Johnson, who shot 37.8% from 3-point range and averaged 16.9 points per game as a freshman, can help fill that void.

  • Texas finished 10th in the SEC during the 2025-26 season.
  • The Longhorns made the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament in Miller's first year as head coach.
  • Dailyn Swain declared for the 2026 NBA Draft after leading Texas in scoring last season.

The players

Sean Miller

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team, who is looking to quickly rebuild the program into an SEC contender after leading them to the Sweet 16 in his first season.

Matas Vokietatitis

A 7-foot center who will return to Texas for his junior season after Miller made securing his return a priority.

David Punch

A transfer from TCU who averaged 14.1 points per game last season and will join the Longhorns' frontcourt.

Dailyn Swain

Texas' leading scorer last season who has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft.

Isaiah Johnson

A freshman transfer from Colorado who shot 37.8% from 3-point range and averaged 16.9 points per game, and will look to help replace Texas' departed scoring.

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What’s next

Miller will look to continue building out his roster through the transfer portal as he aims to turn Texas into an SEC title contender next season.

The takeaway

Sean Miller has quickly made his mark on the Texas program, leading the Longhorns to the Sweet 16 in his first season and now reloading the roster through the transfer portal to build a dominant frontcourt. If Miller can continue to add the right pieces, Texas could emerge as a top team in the SEC next year.