Deadspin Field Level Media ranks Texas No. 6 among 25 teams entering 2026-27

Texas sets high expectations

Field Level Media college basketball writers placed Texas sixth in their Top 25 men's teams entering the 2026-27 season. The Longhorns are coming off a Sweet 16 appearance as an 11th seed in Sean Miller’s first year as coach.

Texas was ranked second in the Southeastern Conference preseason poll. The ranking reflects heightened expectations in Austin after last season’s tournament run.

Size and scoring up front

Seven-footer Matas Vokietaitis returns after averaging 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. Five-star freshman Marcus Spears Jr. is 6-foot-9, while forward David Punch measures 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds. Colorado transfer Isaiah Johnson is another key addition. As a true freshman last season, he averaged 16.9 points per game, ranking among the Big 12’s top 10 scorers.

Early games bring challenges

Texas faces former Big 12 rival Baylor on a neutral court in San Antonio on Nov. 15, then visits Louisville on Dec. 1. Those games offer early tests for the team. Miller’s second seasons at previous stops had different outcomes: Arizona went 30-8 in 2010-11, while Xavier finished 16-18 in 2023-24.

Johnson showed scoring range

Johnson recorded nine games with at least 20 points last season. He scored 28 against then-No. 2 Arizona and 27 against then-No. 22 BYU. His scoring production gives Texas another option alongside its returning and incoming frontcourt players.