Rebounding dominance and Swain's scoring surge fuel Texas's home SEC showdown against Ole Miss. Can they seize crucial momentum?
Texas is back home Saturday afternoon with a chance to steady itself in the SEC race as the Longhorns welcome Ole Miss to the Moody Center for a 1 p.m. CT tip on ESPN2.
With the calendar turning toward the stretch run, every conference game carries weight, and this one is no exception.
The Longhorns enter the matchup at 14-9 overall and 5-5 in SEC play, looking to stack wins and gain traction in a crowded middle tier of the league. Ole Miss arrives at 11-11 and 3-6 in conference action, hungry for a road win that could flip its season’s momentum.
One of the biggest constants for Texas this year has been its work on the glass.
The Longhorns have turned rebounding into an identity, owning a plus-9.2 margin on the boards and outrebounding 20 of their first 23 opponents. That advantage was on full display earlier this week against South Carolina, when Texas dominated the paint with a plus-15 rebounding edge, including a staggering 17 offensive boards.
Extra possessions have fueled the Longhorns’ offense and worn down opponents over the course of games.
Offensively, junior guard/forward Dailyn Swain has elevated his game at exactly the right time. Recently named to the Julius Erving Award Midseason Top 10, Swain has been playing at an All-SEC level. Over his last five outings, he’s averaging 25.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.4 steals per game.
He’s posted back-to-back double-doubles and has eclipsed the 20-point mark five times in his first 10 SEC contests.
Another reason for optimism is the recent surge from junior forward Camden Heide.
Heide has been on a heater over his last three games, averaging 14.0 points while shooting an eye-popping 75 percent from the floor.
Even more impressive has been his accuracy from beyond the arc, knocking down nearly 69 percent of his 3-point attempts during that stretch.
The matchup also carries a little extra edge. Texas holds a slim advantage in the all-time series, but Ole Miss claimed a tight 72-69 win in the most recent meeting last season. That result hasn’t been forgotten, and the Longhorns will be eager to defend their home floor.
With SEC positioning, individual accolades, and momentum all in play, Saturday afternoon in Austin shapes up as an important checkpoint for Texas as February basketball heats up.