The Texas Longhorns got exactly what they needed Wednesday night at the Moody Center - a gritty, confidence-boosting SEC win over Ole Miss that nudged them above .500 in conference play at 6-5. And while the team as a whole played solid basketball, make no mistake: this one had Matas Vokietaitis written all over it.
The 7-foot sophomore turned in the kind of performance that reminds you why he’s one of the most intriguing big men in college hoops. After a rocky outing against South Carolina, Vokietaitis bounced back in a big way - and then some - delivering a dominant showing on both ends of the floor that left little doubt about who controlled the paint.
Let’s talk numbers: 27 points on a scorching 81.8% shooting from the field, 9-of-12 from the free-throw line, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist in 35 minutes. That’s not just efficient - that’s surgical.
He was a force around the rim, finishing through contact, getting to the line, and converting at a clip that would make any coach breathe a little easier. And defensively?
Clean, disciplined, and disruptive - the kind of presence that changes how opponents attack the lane.
Texas head coach Sean Miller didn’t hold back in his postgame praise, sharing insight into the mental reset that helped spark this breakout.
“Coming off of South Carolina, it might have been his worst SEC individual performance,” Miller said. “He struggled down the stretch, missed a few easy ones - which he never does - and let some frustration get to him.
We talked a lot the last couple of days about that, and today he may have played his best game of the SEC season. He was the difference in the game.”
That’s a pretty telling quote, and it speaks to something bigger: growth. Vokietaitis didn’t just respond to adversity - he owned it.
That kind of bounce-back effort isn’t just about stats. It’s about maturity, accountability, and the kind of leadership that doesn’t always show up in the box score.
What makes Vokietaitis so dangerous is his versatility. He leads the nation in free-throw rate - a rare feat for a 7-footer - and when he’s locked in like he was against Ole Miss, he becomes almost unguardable in the paint. There just aren’t many bigs in college basketball who can match his combination of size, touch, and footwork.
And while Texas has had some strong backcourt moments this season, there’s no question that when the offense needs a stabilizer, it’s Vokietaitis who often steps into that role. He’s the kind of player who can tilt a game with his presence alone - and if the Longhorns are going to make a real push toward the NCAA Tournament, he’s going to be at the center of it.
Texas now gets a brief breather before heading to Columbia on February 14th to take on Missouri. But if this version of Matas Vokietaitis is here to stay, the Longhorns may be hitting their stride at just the right time.