Another nonconference matchup is set for Texas’ 2021-2022 season.
After scheduling preseason No. 1 Gonzaga to tip off the season, Chris Beard will have another difficult road test early on. According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, Texas will travel to Seton Hall on Dec. 9 in the Big 12-Big East Battle.
Recently, Kevin Willard has been one of the most consistent head coaches in the country. Before COVID-19 canceled the postseason, Seton Hall had been to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments.
Last season saw the Pirates come up short of making a fifth straight tournament, going 14-13 overall.
Leading scorer Sandro Mamukelashvili is no longer with the program, but senior Jared Rhoden and Harvard transfer Bryce Aiken are expected to lead the way.
With a big-name opponent in town, the Prudential Center can provide one of the best atmospheres in college basketball. Texas will have quite the challenge ahead if they want to get their first win their first Big 12-Big East Battle.
Here is the full slate of matchups:
- Villanova at Baylor
- UConn at West Virginia
- Kansas at St. John’s
- Texas at Seton Hall
- Iowa State at Creighton
- Texas Tech at Providence
- TCU at Georgetown
- Butler at Oklahoma
- Xavier at Oklahoma State
- Marquette at Kansas State
The Big 12 and Big East had the opportunity to set up Texas and former head coach Shaka Smart right away. After leaving Austin for the Marquette job, Chris Del Conte swung for the fences with Chris Beard and hit the home run.
Seeing another Beard vs Smart showdown would have been entertaining, but should be reserved for down the road.
Outside of the Longhorns, Villanova traveling to Waco for a matchup against Baylor should be one of the most anticipated college basketball games of the season. The defending national champions are once again projected to be a top-five team, while Jay Wright returns player of the year candidate Collin Gillespie.
Now, we wait six months.
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