Updated at 6:05 p.m. CT on March 26
With fewer than 10 minutes until tip-off, Sean Miller rotated Jordan Pope back into the starting lineup, sending Simeon Wilcher back to the bench
After being declared questionable for the Texas Longhorns' appearance in the Sweet 16, starting point guard Jordan Pope was labeled as a game-time decision, with the Horns' season facing yet another win-or-go-home matchup.
Then, when Texas took the court for pregame shoot-around and warm-up, Pope was in the same sweats as the rest of the players and appeared to be moving around just fine as the minutes ticked away until tip-off.
However, when Texas head coach Sean Miller released the starting lineup, Pope was not included, and instead, junior Simeon Wilcher was listed in the starting PG role.
Texas Longhorns' starting lineup vs. Purdue
- Simeon Wilcher, guard
- Tramon Mark, guard
- Dailyn Swain, guard/forward
- Camden Heide, forward
- Matas Vokietaitis, center
Fellow junior Dailyn Swain was listed as playing a combined shooting guard and small forward role, while senior Tramon Mark was listed as rounding out the backcourt.
Center Matas Vokietaitis and forward Camden Heide, who hit the game-clinching three-point shot against Gonzaga, would make up Texas's frontcourt against the Purdue Boilermakers in the Sweet 16.
Jordan Pope talking with Texas athletic trainer Warren Young during warmups.
— Zach Dimmitt (@ZachDimmitt7) March 26, 2026
Appeared to be moving fine and didn’t show any obvious pain or wincing. pic.twitter.com/uUzsdguMFR
Pope has had a rollercoaster of a season, struggling to find consistency on the court for Texas. However, throughout the Longhorns' first three games of the NCAA Tournament, Pope has been a star and had made fans fall in love with him all over again.
A look at Texas G Jordan Pope in warmups
— Thomas Dunn (@Thomasdunn24) March 26, 2026
Not listed among the Texas starters pic.twitter.com/fHq3JJIVhE
As the Longhorns and Pope warmed up, the Boilermakers took the court under the other hoop with CJ Cox in the starting lineup.
Purdue Boilermakers' starting lineup vs. Texas
- CJ Cox, guard
- Fletcher Loyer, guard
- Braden Smith, guard
- Trey Kaufman-Redd, forward
- Oscar Cluff, center
On Thursday, March 26, the No. 2-seed Purdue Boilermakers and the No. 11-seed Texas Longhorns are scheduled to tip off at 6:10 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on CBS.