The first of many:
Texas has secured the commitment of Xavier forward Dailyn Swain, marking the first roster addition of the Sean Miller era. Swain averaged 10.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game this past season at Xavier.
Swain is a standout defensive addition on the wing, posting a 3.5 DBPM rating and averaging 1.6 steals per game, which highlights his impact on that end of the floor. However, one area where Swain needs to improve is his perimeter shooting. He shot just 25% from three this past season, which will likely influence how opposing teams defend him moving forward. If Swain can raise his three-point shooting to 30% or better in his first year at Texas, his game could reach a new level. With his familiarity with Coach Miller's offense, the sky’s the limit if he can address this weakness. Overall, this is a major addition for the Longhorns and a strong step in the right direction as they begin year one under Sean Miller.
This is not an April Fool’s joke:
Xavier guard Ryan Conwell has committed to the University of Louisville tonight. Conwell played under Sean Miller’s Musketeers last season where he averaged 16.2 PPG, 2.5 APG and shot 40.7% from beyond the arc.
This one stings for Texas, as it seemed like a battle between the hometown team, Indiana, and his former head coach’s new team, Texas. However, Louisville swooped in and secured a commitment from the 6'4" junior the day he was visiting their campus. Now, Texas will need to adjust their recruiting strategy and focus on finding another player who can create their own shot and thrive in Coach Miller’s system. The silver lining in this situation is that Texas might have saved some money, which could allow them to allocate more resources elsewhere while spending less. This isn’t to say Conwell isn’t worth the investment, but rather to point out the realities of Texas' NIL situation compared to other programs. It's a tough loss, but the Longhorns can still move forward and target other potential pieces to strengthen their roster.
Turning up the heat:
With Swain’s commitment to Texas, the Longhorns aren’t slowing down. Earlier today, they hosted a visit from 2025 four-star Matthew Able, a 6’5” shooting guard from Weston, Florida. Able decommitted from the University of Miami on February 28th. Known for his elite shooting, Able shot 40% from beyond the arc in 2024 and is a versatile offensive scorer. While his defense is still a work in progress, he’s far from a liability on that side of the ball. Texas is making a strong push to continue building a dynamic roster, and Able could be another key piece to the puzzle.
However, Able isn’t the only player set to visit Texas in the coming days. North Dakota State forward Jacari White will be on campus tomorrow, April 2nd. White had an impressive season with the Bisons, averaging 17.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He’s a dynamic offensive threat, shooting 39% from three, 47% from mid-range, and 85% from the free-throw line. White’s reliable jumper was a key part of North Dakota State’s offense, and whichever school he chooses will certainly look to utilize his scoring ability in a similar way. Texas is making a strong push to add another impactful player to their roster.
Texas has also shown interest in two other portal targets: Arizona guard KJ Lewis and Jacksonville State guard Jaron Pierre Jr. Lewis, a sophomore guard from Duncanville, Texas, is known for his strong defensive play. He posted a 3.4 DBPM this past season at Arizona, making him an excellent defensive addition on the perimeter, no matter where he ultimately chooses to go. His ability to lock down opposing players would be a valuable asset for any team, and Texas is clearly hoping to add his defensive prowess to their roster.
As for Pierre, he’s a dynamic player, averaging 21.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game at Jacksonville State this past season. The 6’5” senior guard would make an immediate offensive impact for the Longhorns. Pierre posted a 4.2 OBPM rating, highlighting his significant influence on the Gamecocks' success. With a 36% shooting mark from three and an assist rate of 21.5%, Pierre is a threat on all three levels of the court. Overall, these two players bring unique strengths to Texas, addressing key needs on different ends of the floor. Lewis offers elite perimeter defense, while Pierre brings the experience and offensive firepower that could prove vital for Texas, especially if they make a postseason run. Both are names to keep a close eye on, as Texas has shown serious interest in these potential additions from the portal.
Say it ain’t so:
While Texas was having a very active day in the transfer portal, let's just say Texas A&M found themselves on the other side of the spectrum today…
Some A&M fans were actually relieved to see Buzz Williams leave for Maryland, believing that his departure could unlock the Aggies' true potential. While there is some merit to that belief, it’s worth questioning whether there’s a coach out there, realistically available, who could step in and immediately do better than Williams. His tenure at A&M was marked by consistent success, including NCAA tournament appearances and a solid overall record. Replacing a coach with his level of experience and track record won’t be easy. While A&M might look for a new direction, finding someone who can instantly elevate the program to new heights could prove more challenging than some fans expect.
Keep an eye on the Tigers:
Omaha star forward Marquel Sutton visited the University of Kansas State today, and now the 6’7” forward is set to visit LSU tomorrow, April 2nd. Sutton is an intriguing target, and I believe he could be a perfect fit for Texas, bringing versatility and athleticism to their frontcourt. However, as of now, there haven’t been significant developments indicating that Texas is making serious strides to land him. While it’s still possible that things could change in the coming days, it’s too early to confidently say he’ll end up in Austin. Sutton’s decision is one to watch closely as he continues his recruitment.
Get up to date with the latest (Portal Kombat archives):
Thursday March 27th: Portal Kombat: Putting a ‘Dent’ in the plans…
Friday March 28th: Portal Kombat: Are the dominoes falling into place?
Saturday March 29th: Portal Kombat: Has the most vital Portal target emerged?
Sunday March 30th: Portal Kombat: Is Texas on the verge of losing its top portal target?
Monday March 31st: Portal Kombat: Sean Miller is already making moves in Austin
Texas has secured the commitment of Xavier forward Dailyn Swain, marking the first roster addition of the Sean Miller era. Swain averaged 10.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game this past season at Xavier.
Swain is a standout defensive addition on the wing, posting a 3.5 DBPM rating and averaging 1.6 steals per game, which highlights his impact on that end of the floor. However, one area where Swain needs to improve is his perimeter shooting. He shot just 25% from three this past season, which will likely influence how opposing teams defend him moving forward. If Swain can raise his three-point shooting to 30% or better in his first year at Texas, his game could reach a new level. With his familiarity with Coach Miller's offense, the sky’s the limit if he can address this weakness. Overall, this is a major addition for the Longhorns and a strong step in the right direction as they begin year one under Sean Miller.
This is not an April Fool’s joke:
Xavier guard Ryan Conwell has committed to the University of Louisville tonight. Conwell played under Sean Miller’s Musketeers last season where he averaged 16.2 PPG, 2.5 APG and shot 40.7% from beyond the arc.
This one stings for Texas, as it seemed like a battle between the hometown team, Indiana, and his former head coach’s new team, Texas. However, Louisville swooped in and secured a commitment from the 6'4" junior the day he was visiting their campus. Now, Texas will need to adjust their recruiting strategy and focus on finding another player who can create their own shot and thrive in Coach Miller’s system. The silver lining in this situation is that Texas might have saved some money, which could allow them to allocate more resources elsewhere while spending less. This isn’t to say Conwell isn’t worth the investment, but rather to point out the realities of Texas' NIL situation compared to other programs. It's a tough loss, but the Longhorns can still move forward and target other potential pieces to strengthen their roster.
Turning up the heat:
With Swain’s commitment to Texas, the Longhorns aren’t slowing down. Earlier today, they hosted a visit from 2025 four-star Matthew Able, a 6’5” shooting guard from Weston, Florida. Able decommitted from the University of Miami on February 28th. Known for his elite shooting, Able shot 40% from beyond the arc in 2024 and is a versatile offensive scorer. While his defense is still a work in progress, he’s far from a liability on that side of the ball. Texas is making a strong push to continue building a dynamic roster, and Able could be another key piece to the puzzle.
However, Able isn’t the only player set to visit Texas in the coming days. North Dakota State forward Jacari White will be on campus tomorrow, April 2nd. White had an impressive season with the Bisons, averaging 17.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He’s a dynamic offensive threat, shooting 39% from three, 47% from mid-range, and 85% from the free-throw line. White’s reliable jumper was a key part of North Dakota State’s offense, and whichever school he chooses will certainly look to utilize his scoring ability in a similar way. Texas is making a strong push to add another impactful player to their roster.
Texas has also shown interest in two other portal targets: Arizona guard KJ Lewis and Jacksonville State guard Jaron Pierre Jr. Lewis, a sophomore guard from Duncanville, Texas, is known for his strong defensive play. He posted a 3.4 DBPM this past season at Arizona, making him an excellent defensive addition on the perimeter, no matter where he ultimately chooses to go. His ability to lock down opposing players would be a valuable asset for any team, and Texas is clearly hoping to add his defensive prowess to their roster.
As for Pierre, he’s a dynamic player, averaging 21.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game at Jacksonville State this past season. The 6’5” senior guard would make an immediate offensive impact for the Longhorns. Pierre posted a 4.2 OBPM rating, highlighting his significant influence on the Gamecocks' success. With a 36% shooting mark from three and an assist rate of 21.5%, Pierre is a threat on all three levels of the court. Overall, these two players bring unique strengths to Texas, addressing key needs on different ends of the floor. Lewis offers elite perimeter defense, while Pierre brings the experience and offensive firepower that could prove vital for Texas, especially if they make a postseason run. Both are names to keep a close eye on, as Texas has shown serious interest in these potential additions from the portal.
Say it ain’t so:
While Texas was having a very active day in the transfer portal, let's just say Texas A&M found themselves on the other side of the spectrum today…
Some A&M fans were actually relieved to see Buzz Williams leave for Maryland, believing that his departure could unlock the Aggies' true potential. While there is some merit to that belief, it’s worth questioning whether there’s a coach out there, realistically available, who could step in and immediately do better than Williams. His tenure at A&M was marked by consistent success, including NCAA tournament appearances and a solid overall record. Replacing a coach with his level of experience and track record won’t be easy. While A&M might look for a new direction, finding someone who can instantly elevate the program to new heights could prove more challenging than some fans expect.
Keep an eye on the Tigers:
Omaha star forward Marquel Sutton visited the University of Kansas State today, and now the 6’7” forward is set to visit LSU tomorrow, April 2nd. Sutton is an intriguing target, and I believe he could be a perfect fit for Texas, bringing versatility and athleticism to their frontcourt. However, as of now, there haven’t been significant developments indicating that Texas is making serious strides to land him. While it’s still possible that things could change in the coming days, it’s too early to confidently say he’ll end up in Austin. Sutton’s decision is one to watch closely as he continues his recruitment.
Get up to date with the latest (Portal Kombat archives):
Thursday March 27th: Portal Kombat: Putting a ‘Dent’ in the plans…
Friday March 28th: Portal Kombat: Are the dominoes falling into place?
Saturday March 29th: Portal Kombat: Has the most vital Portal target emerged?
Sunday March 30th: Portal Kombat: Is Texas on the verge of losing its top portal target?
Monday March 31st: Portal Kombat: Sean Miller is already making moves in Austin
