The Texas Longhorns are making waves in the NCAA basketball world, earning a surprising spot at No. 24 in ESPN’s 2025-26 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings. With former Xavier coach Sean Miller at the helm, the team is poised to make a strong push for the playoffs.
Longhorns guard Jordan Pope, who averaged 11 points per game last season, is one of three returning players in ESPN’s projected starting lineup. Fellow guards Chendall Weaver and Tramon Mark round out the group, with Weaver averaging 6.4 points per game and Mark contributing 10.6 points.
The team’s roster has been bolstered by transfers Dailyn Swain and Matas Vokietaitis. Swain, who averaged 11 points per game at Xavier, joined Coach Miller in Austin after falling to Dayton in the first round of the NIT. Vokietaitis, a seven-foot-tall center from Lithuania, brings significant size and scoring punch to the team.
ESPN’s rankings also place guard Tre Johnson, who is currently ranked among the top 50 prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft, as a “departure” due to his potential departure from the program. The Longhorns are looking to build on their promising young core and make a run in the NCAA tournament.
Source: https://www.si.com/college/texas/men-s-basketball/texas-longhorns-earn-surprising-spot-espn-way-too-early-top-25-rankings-01jr4a280v78