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Texas' Sean Miller Benches Starters, Vows Lineup Shakeup After Tennessee Loss

Analytics now peg Texas near the SEC basement with NCAA hopes fading ahead of a trip to No. 12 Alabama.

Overview

  • After an 85-71 defeat at Tennessee, first-year coach Sean Miller blasted his team’s effort and said Texas has made no progress on an identity.
  • Miller removed starters Jordan Pope, Dailyn Swain and Matas Vokietaitis for most of the second half and inserted seldom-used walk-on Anthon McDermott late.
  • He said the starting lineup will change and that playing time will go to those who compete hardest for Texas.
  • Pope logged a season-low 13 minutes and went scoreless for the first time in his four-year career, Vokietaitis posted season lows in minutes and points, and Swain had seven turnovers.
  • BartTorvik projections now forecast a 6-12 SEC record and near-zero NCAA Tournament odds, with Texas visiting Alabama on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.