As the Texas Longhorns gear up to face the No. 7 Florida Gators at the Moody Center, they're facing a significant challenge without graduate forward Lassina Traore.
Traore, who has been sidelined since a knee issue flared up in their victory over South Carolina, remains out of action. His absence, stretching over five games, leaves head coach Sean Miller managing a delicate situation with the postseason looming.
Traore's injury is a concern, especially with the SEC Tournament just around the corner. Coach Miller emphasized the importance of a cautious approach: “We’re taking it day by day. Lassina will return, but we want to ensure he’s fully ready to avoid any setbacks.”
With Florida leading the nation in rebounds per game, Traore’s absence is particularly felt. His top-tier rebounding skills are sorely missed against a formidable Gators frontcourt.
The Longhorns will need to adapt, relying on players like sophomore Nic Codie, who recently returned to action. Codie showed promise with nine points against Missouri but has struggled in the last two games.
The Longhorns are also leaning on junior forwards Dailyn Swain and Cam Heide, employing smaller lineups due to limited depth. With freshmen John Clark and Lewis Obiara redshirting, the team needs effective minutes from Codie and others to compete against Florida's size advantage.
As the regular season winds down, the Longhorns are navigating these challenges with an eye on postseason readiness, hoping to have Traore back at full strength when it matters most.