Key injury update
Head coach Sean Miller opened his press conference with an important injury update on the Longhorns’ two big men, Matas Vokietais and Lassina Traore, and their availability heading into their opener against Duke on Nov. 4. Miller said that about three weeks ago, both players were dealing with lower-leg injuries. Vokietais sustained an ankle sprain that the staff has monitored closely, while Traore suffered a foot sprain. However, both are expected to be available for the opener against Duke, barring any setbacks.
While Vokietais and Traore did not participate in either of Texas’ closed scrimmages, Miller said junior Nic Codie and true freshman John Clark stepped up in a big way during their absence and are feeling more confident in their understanding of the team’s new system.
Slowing down a generational prospect
When asked about his impression of Duke’s five-star freshman Cam Boozer, Miller said, “He’s a generational freshman. I look at Cam as the best of the best. I think you have to guard him as a team, you have to run multiple people at him, and the biggest point is you have to control his second shots.” Head coach Jon Scheyer has done an impressive job integrating the freshman into Duke’s system during the preseason stretch, and with Boozer’s level of talent, it will be a tall task for the Longhorns to slow him down, along with the rest of Duke’s loaded roster.
During the exhibition stretch, Boozer has posted impressive stat lines against Tennessee and UCF:
– 24 points, 23 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks vs Tennessee
– 33 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists vs UCF
What Sean Miller has learned about his team so far
Coach Miller emphasized how crucial it is for the Longhorns to stay healthy — not only to see the best version of his team when everyone is available, but also to help new faces adjust to a fast-paced offense and ensure they’re on the same page once tipoff arrives. He noted that while the absences of Vokietais and Traore in recent weeks initially slowed the team’s offensive progress, he later saw significant growth and cohesion from the rest of the group, both on and off the court.
Miller emphasized that the group he has now is highly coachable and eager to learn and grow together. He acknowledged that being a head coach in today’s college basketball landscape comes with challenges, from NIL to recruiting to player development, but said he’s optimistic about his team’s potential. Miller noted that the Longhorns may be difficult to judge early in the season since the roster hasn’t been together long, yet he believes their willingness to buy into the system will pay off. With a season opener against a high-octane Duke squad, he added, Texas will get answers to key questions sooner than most teams.
