On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team went toe-to-toe with the No. 5 Duke Blue Devils in a hard-fought matchup. Despite their effort, the Longhorns fell 75–60. Here’s the game breakdown and team report card.
The highs for the night
Points: Dailyn Swain – 16
Assists: Simeon Wilcher – 2
Rebounds: Lassina Traore – 9
Team stat analysis
While the final score stayed competitive, the stat sheet tells a clearer story.
Field Goals: Texas shot 32.2% from the floor, compared to Duke’s 42.2%. The Longhorns actually attempted more shots (59 to Duke’s 52), but couldn’t convert efficiently.
Three-Point Shooting: This was the deciding factor. Texas hit just 29.4% from beyond the arc, while Duke connected on 39.1%. The Longhorns settled for too many threes when driving to the rim could’ve been more productive.
Free Throws: Both teams shot 73% from the line — serviceable, but not good enough. Texas left valuable points on the floor.
Rebounds: Texas won the battle on the glass, particularly on the offensive boards, showing great hustle and aggression.
Points in the Paint: Texas led this category with 26, a sign that attacking inside should remain a point of emphasis moving forward.
What I saw
Texas found consistent success attacking the paint. The guards must stay aggressive and look for mid-range opportunities instead of settling from deep.
The pick-and-roll defense struggled — both the guard and the big chased the ball too often, leaving open lanes and easy passes.
Duke’s Isaiah Evans caught fire, and Texas failed to adjust. The better approach would’ve been forcing him to drive by closing out hard on his hip when he wasn’t in rhythm to shoot.
The guards need to fight through screens with better footwork and communication. The disconnect between bigs and guards defensively led to breakdowns.
Communication was lacking in the second half — too many backdoor cuts and open lanes allowed Duke to capitalize.
Final thoughts
The hype surrounding this year’s Texas team is warranted. Coach Miller has his squad ready to compete. Facing Duke — a perennial powerhouse — was a valuable measuring stick early in the season. There are adjustments to be made, but the talent, effort, and toughness are all there. This team will be just fine once SEC play begins.
Team Grade: B-
There’s a lot to like about this Texas team. They played hard, competed on the boards, and showed flashes of what’s to come. The issues — communication, shot selection, and defensive discipline — are all fixable. With small tweaks and continued chemistry, the Longhorns will only get better from here.