The Texas Longhorns squared off against the No. 10 Vanderbilt Commodores in a gritty SEC matchup—and what unfolded was nothing short of impressive. From opening tip to final buzzer, this was the most complete basketball Texas has played as a unit all season. The energy, execution, and physicality were evident on both ends of the floor, signaling that this Longhorn team is beginning to find its stride at the perfect time. Let’s break it down.
Top performers & Key contributions
Texas leaned on balance, discipline, and effort—three traits that defined the night. Matas Vokietaitis led all scorers with 22 points, setting the offensive tone early and maintaining pressure throughout. Dailyn Swain and Chendall Weaver dominated the glass, each grabbing nine rebounds, giving Texas a consistent physical edge. Swain also paced the offense as a distributor, finishing with seven assists, ensuring ball movement stayed crisp and intentional. This wasn’t a one-man show. It was a collective effort from a team that looked locked in and prepared.
Player of the game: Dailyn Swain
Swain delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, stuffing the stat sheet in a way that defines winning basketball.
Stat line:
Swain had 14 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal. He was also 62.5% shooting from the field, and 80% from the free-throw line. Swain impacted the game in every phase—scoring efficiently, facilitating offense, defending, and rebounding. Performances like this often fly under the radar nationally, but within conference play, they matter immensely. Keep a close eye on Swain as SEC competition intensifies.
By the numbers: Texas’ statistical edge
The box score tells a story of dominance.
Three-point shooting:
Texas — 41.2%
Vanderbilt — 36%
Rebounding:
Texas — 40
Vanderbilt — 20
Points in the paint:
Texas — 30
Vanderbilt — 14
Texas controlled the game physically, especially on the defensive glass. Ending possessions and limiting second-chance opportunities was clearly a point of emphasis—and it paid off.
Game flow & Key takeaways
Texas’ guards consistently attacked downhill, forcing Vanderbilt to collapse defensively. That pressure opened up clean looks through pick-and-roll actions and allowed the bigs to stay active and effective. Another encouraging sign: shot confidence. Texas shooters let it fly without hesitation, a reflection of trust in the offense and one another. When the Longhorns combine paint pressure with confident perimeter spacing, they become extremely difficult to defend. This wasn’t just a win—it was a blueprint.
What’s next for Texas basketball?
The Longhorns now turn their attention to a rivalry clash. Texas vs Texas A&M, Saturday, January 17, 6:00 PM. Expect intensity, physicality, and emotion. Texas is building momentum, and this matchup will be a true measuring stick as conference play heats up.