Longhorns' Sean Miller Sees Texas Playing Its Best at the Right Time After Sweet 16 Clinch

Texas leaned on efficiency, balance and belief as its head coach pointed to growth at the perfect moment.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:48pm

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Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller praised his team's performance in their 74-68 win over Gonzaga Bulldogs, which clinched their spot in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Miller highlighted the team's efficiency, with 20 assists and just 5 turnovers, as well as the standout play of Jordan Pope and Matas Vokietaitis. He also credited a key late substitution of Camden Heide as a pivotal moment. Miller believes the Longhorns are playing their best basketball at the perfect time, saying "We're a much better team right now than we would have been a month ago."

Why it matters

Texas' win over Gonzaga showcased the team's growth and development over the course of the season, with Miller noting they are playing their best basketball at the most crucial point of the year. This performance in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 round highlights the Longhorns' potential to make a deep run and compete for a national championship.

The details

Texas finished the game with 20 assists and just 5 turnovers, which Miller said was a key focus for the team. He praised the play of guards Jordan Pope and Matas Vokietaitis, saying Pope is "playing at a higher level" and that they "had to test Matas and just see if he could deliver." Miller also highlighted a late substitution of Camden Heide as a pivotal moment, saying he put Heide in "to make a shot" on a broken possession.

  • Texas earned their spot in the Sweet 16 with a 74-68 win over Gonzaga on March 22, 2026.

The players

Sean Miller

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team.

Jordan Pope

A guard for the Texas Longhorns who Miller praised for playing at a high level.

Matas Vokietaitis

A player for the Texas Longhorns who Miller said "delivered" when the team needed him to.

Camden Heide

A Texas Longhorns player who Miller inserted late in the game to make a crucial shot.

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What they’re saying

“It's just a huge difference between being in that round and just entering the tournament. Having the opportunity to play through another week...that's what makes it special.”

— Sean Miller, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns

“There's nothing that we talk more about right now than the value of limiting turnovers. If you play an NCAA Tournament game with 20 assists and five turnovers, you certainly have to feel good about your offense.”

— Sean Miller, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns

“I don't know if there's too many guards that are playing at a higher level than Jordan Pope. He can change the game from the three-point line.”

— Sean Miller, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns

“We had to test Matas and just see if he could deliver. He did a great job.”

— Sean Miller, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns

“I might have even said, I'm putting you in to make a shot. When it happens, it's almost too good to be true.”

— Sean Miller, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns

What’s next

Texas will face the winner of the matchup between Houston and Florida in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Texas' dominant performance against Gonzaga, with their efficient offense and balanced contributions, shows the Longhorns are peaking at the perfect time in the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Sean Miller's praise for his team's growth and development over the course of the season suggests they have the potential to make a deep run and compete for a national championship.