Texas basketball has been riding its starting five hard all season, and for good reason - they’ve carried the bulk of the scoring load. But Saturday’s 79-69 win at Oklahoma told a different story. This time, it was the bench that sparked the Longhorns when they needed it most.
In a rivalry game that demanded grit, energy, and timely execution, Texas found all three in its second unit. Chendall Weaver, Simeon Wilcher, and Lassina Traore - the only three Longhorns who consistently come off the bench - each stepped into the spotlight and delivered in the game’s most crucial moments.
That’s no small thing when you consider that Texas starters have accounted for 76% of the team’s points this season. But head coach Sean Miller has been around long enough to know: in the SEC, depth isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity.
“You cannot do it in the SEC with just your starting group,” Miller said Monday. “A big reason we won at Oklahoma was the three guys who didn't start the game. It was great to see.”
The turning point came midway through the second half. Oklahoma had built a 56-50 lead and looked poised to take control.
That’s when Miller turned to his bench - and the game flipped. Over the final 10 minutes, Texas outscored the Sooners 29-13, with the trio of Traore, Weaver, and Wilcher playing heavy minutes while starters Tramon Mark and Matas Vokietaitis sat.
And it wasn’t just that they were on the floor - they were making plays.
With under four minutes to go and Texas clinging to a 70-67 lead, Jordan Pope buried a three off a strong screen from Traore. Moments later, Wilcher came up with a critical steal with 2:10 left and the Longhorns up six, giving Texas an extra possession when it mattered most. Weaver, meanwhile, grabbed four of his six rebounds in the final four minutes, bringing a level of energy and defensive urgency that Oklahoma simply couldn’t match.
Wilcher’s performance stood out in particular. The junior guard, who transferred from St.
John’s in the offseason, had been in a rough shooting stretch - just 7-of-40 in SEC play heading into Saturday. But he found his rhythm in Norman, knocking down four of his seven shots, scoring in double figures for the first time in seven games, and dishing out two assists with zero turnovers in 21 minutes.
“Sim Wilcher, we don't beat Oklahoma without his play,” Miller said. “Sim has uncharacteristically not shot the ball well and I think maybe lost some confidence for a brief period of time. I think the Oklahoma game resurrected his confidence.”
That resurgence couldn’t come at a better time. Texas returns home Tuesday night to face South Carolina, and with the Longhorns sitting at 13-9 overall and 4-5 in the SEC, every game feels like it carries postseason implications.
South Carolina (11-11, 2-7 SEC) might not be lighting up the scoreboard - they rank near the bottom of the conference in both scoring and field-goal percentage - but they’re not a team to take lightly. They run a methodical halfcourt offense that can slow the pace and frustrate more explosive teams. And defensively, they bring a level of physicality and cohesion that doesn’t reflect their record.
“They are very well-coached, deliberate in their attack, cohesive on defense, tough-minded, and fundamentally sound,” Miller said. “You can't take that mentality of allowing anybody to sneak up on us.
It’s such a great conference. From top to bottom, it's the strongest conference in the country.
That’s not my opinion. I think that’s the facts of the matter.”
The Gamecocks are led by sixth-year senior point guard Meechie Johnson, one of the most experienced floor generals in the country, and forward Elijah Strong, who can stretch the floor with his shooting and open up driving lanes.
For Texas, the formula is starting to take shape. The starting five will always be the engine, but if the bench can keep showing up like it did in Norman - bringing energy, defense, and timely buckets - this team becomes a whole lot more dangerous down the stretch.
Texas vs. South Carolina
- When: Tuesday, 6 p.m.
- Where: Moody Center, Austin
- TV/Radio: ESPN; 1300 AM, 98.1 FM