It has been a little more than two months since Texas men’s basketball head coach Sean Miller has been patrolling the baseline for the Longhorns. Through those games, one thing is certain about Miller — he does not coddle his players, and he’s not afraid to call them out.
Miller’s intensity on and off the court has only grown since the start of Southeastern Conference play earlier this month.
In fear of starting conference play 0–3 for the second straight year, something had to change for the Longhorns. It started with Miller openly questioning his team’s effort and desire to play.
“We had a couple guys that just really didn’t want to play, and if you don’t want to play, you’re not allowed to enter the game,” Miller said following the Tennessee loss. “You can’t be the guy caught up in your own world, your own effort level (and) things that are happening to you. So much about this game is about the team.”
Those comments were backed up by his decision to bench three starters for almost the entire second half against the Volunteers — senior guard Jordan Pope, junior forward Dailyn Swain and sophomore center Matas Vokietaitis.
The message was received, and for the Longhorns players, it was clear what they needed to do to change their fortunes, at least for one game.
“We knew we weren’t playing to the standard, even if Coach didn’t say anything to us,” Swain said. “We sat down as a team without any coaches and just challenged each other. … (It) only takes a few good days to gain some momentum, and it can change a team’s season.”
Some criticize Miller for lambasting his players in front of the media following a game, but it has not been much of a detriment. In the case of the Alabama game, it was the prime motivator.
One of those players who took the effort comments personally was Pope, and after his zero-point night against a talented Tennessee defense, he had one of his best performances of the season against Alabama.
Pope tied his season high of 28 points against the Crimson Tide, banking back-to-back free throws late in the game that iced the victory.
Whether it was the post-game comments after the Tennessee loss or simply just one of those nights for a big performance from the veteran guard, it was a much-needed effort and victory for a very desperate team with more challenging opponents lying ahead.
“It gives us a real shot of confidence and an understanding of how hard you have to compete to have a chance to win in the SEC,” Miller said following Texas’ upset win over Alabama.
The road to March is a daunting task, especially with a Longhorn team with only two wins against power teams this season. But certainly, Miller and his players know what it takes, on and off the court, to contribute.
“If it’s not your night, just keep contributing to winning,” Swain said. “No matter if that’s diving on the floor, getting an offensive rebound or whatever the case may be, maybe just cheering a teammate on, keeping him in the right mind space.”
If Texas caught fire in the bottle in Tuscaloosa, it will be tested tomorrow with arguably the hardest conference game the Longhorns have on the schedule when they face the undefeated No. 10 Vanderbilt Commodores at the Moody Center at 8:00 p.m.
