Texas Coach Sean Miller Confirms Key Players for Duke Showdown

UPDATE: Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller just confirmed that injured players Lassina Traore and Matas Vokietaitis are expected to play in their season opener against the Duke Blue Devils on October 31, 2023, in Charlotte, NC. This announcement comes as a relief for Longhorns fans eager to see their team compete against the highly ranked No. 6 Duke.

Miller revealed that Texas had struggled in closed preseason scrimmages against TCU and SMU while missing these key players. The Longhorns reported a win over SMU but suffered a significant 91-72 loss to TCU. “When you have two players, especially when they both play the same position, out for this extended period, that has not helped our progress offensively,” Miller stated during a media Zoom call.

The coach emphasized the importance of Traore and Vokietaitis, saying, “I think we’re going to have both guys back, and hopefully, they can have a great stretch of health.” Their return is crucial as the Longhorns look to establish their offensive rhythm before facing a tough opponent like Duke.

Both players have been practicing again. Vokietaitis, who transferred from Florida Atlantic after earning the AAC’s freshman of the year award, is back on the court after recovering from a sprained ankle. “Not only returned to practice, but (is) doing really well,” Miller noted.

Traore, a graduate student from the Ivory Coast who transferred from Xavier, also faced setbacks due to a foot sprain earlier this month. Although he has limited practice, Miller remains optimistic about his potential contribution against Duke. “It’s a little bit more complicated (for Traore), simply because a year ago he missed the season with an ACL on his other leg,” Miller explained.

In light of the injuries, freshman John Clark has emerged as a standout player. Clark, who faced his own challenges during high school due to injury, has impressed Miller with his work ethic and improvement. “John Clark is one of the most coachable freshmen that I’ve had the pleasure of coaching,” Miller said, highlighting his potential to be a key player moving forward.

As the Longhorns gear up for the highly anticipated matchup against Duke, the return of Traore and Vokietaitis could be the difference-maker they need. Fans are anxiously awaiting the tip-off, with hopes high for a strong start to the season.

Stay tuned for more updates as the game approaches, and watch for how these players impact the Longhorns’ performance on the court against one of college basketball’s elite teams.