Tag: Texas basketball news

Texas Basketball: Greg Brown sets announcement date

The Texas Longhorns basketball team is still in the hunt for forward Greg Brown. He is set to make his commitment announcement April 24.

While the Texas Longhorns continue to wait on their first recruiting commitment of the 2020 class, Greg Brown has announced when he will make his decision. Brown is the number one power forward in the class. It has been rumored for months that he likes Texas and that he would only commit to Texas if Shaka Smart is still the head coach. It is widely known that this is likely a one and done year for Brown.

According to 247 sports, Brown is expected to make his decision on April 24th. Brown has his top five schools with Texas being among them. According to his recruiting profile, his crystal ball projection is at 88 percent to the Longhorns. Tops at his position and top ten in the country, this would be a huge get for Shaka Smart and the Longhorns basketball team.

The team needs an inside presence to go along with Jericho Sims, provided that he doesn’t decide to go pro. Brown is gifted athletically and his defensive play would be a welcomed addition to the team. Even if it is just for one season, he could be a reason that Shaka Smart is coaching at Texas beyond 2020-21 if he could help lead Texas past the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since Rick Barnes was the man in charge of hoops in Austin.

Texas Basketball Recruiting: three-star guard releases top six schools

Nebraska three-star guard has released his list of six schools. Did the Texas Longhorns and Shaka Smart make the cut?

Donovan Williams, a three-star guard out of the state of Nebraska has narrowed his list to just six schools. Texas was among the six, the full list is below. Crystal ball predictions have him locked into Oklahoma State. Williams was scheduled to visit the University of Texas on April 10th. The Longhorns are still awaiting their first commitment of the 2020 class.

RATING

Stars Overall State Position
247 3 185 2 36
Rivals – 128 – 27
ESPN 4 – 1 23
247 Composite 3 148 2 28

Vitals

Hometown Lincoln, Nebraska
Projected Position shooting guard
Height 6-5
Weight 190

Recruitment

  • Offered
  • scheduled visit for April 10, 2020

Offers Include:

  • Kansas
  • Kansas State
  • Oklahoma
  • Oklahoma State
  • Oregon
  • Texas A&M
  • Wisconsin

Film

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College basketball’s way-too-early top 25 teams for the 2020-21 Season

With the season now over, all attention has been turned to the 2020-2021 season. The USA TODAY has even released a way-too-early top 25.

Texas ended the 2019-2020 season on a hot streak, winning five out of their last six games. Going into the Big 12 Tournament, they would have had the opportunity to make the NCAA Tournament with a win against Texas Tech.

With the season now over due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all attention has been turned to the 2020-2021 season. The USA TODAY has even released a way-too-early top 25 for next season.

Here are the rankings:

  1. Gonzaga
  2. Baylor
  3. Virginia
  4. Kentucky
  5. Creighton
  6. Duke
  7. Iowa
  8. Wisconsin
  9. Florida State
  10. Texas Tech
  11. Oregon
  12. Villanova
  13. Kansas
  14. Tennessee
  15. San Diego State
  16. Michigan
  17. West Virginia
  18. North Carolina
  19. Michigan State
  20. UCLA
  21. Houston
  22. LSU
  23. Florida
  24. Oklahoma State
  25. Arizona State

Also considered: Indiana, Northern Iowa, Colorado, Purdue, Texas, Southern California, Rutgers, Illinois, Louisville, Connecticut.

Unfortunately, the Longhorns just miss out of the top 25, falling behind four other Big 12 schools. However, they should find their way ranked at some point next season, as Shaka Smart has the looks of a contender in the conference.

Nobody from this year’s roster is expected to depart for next season, barring any transfers. Star guards Matt Coleman, Courtney Ramey, and Andrew Jones should be back, ready to lead Texas towards the top of the Big 12.

If the Longhorns can add five-star forward Greg Brown, they could even become a favorite to make it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

Texas may not be ranked right now, expectations should be high for 2020-2021.

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Jon Rothstein Ranks Texas No. 21 for 2020-2021 Season

Jon Rothstein has released his top 45 teams for the 2020-2021 season. Ranking Texas inside the top 25, UT is ranked No. 21 for next season.

College basketball sadly came to an abrupt end this season, leaving the entire country wondering what was going to happen throughout the month of March.

For Texas, a win against Texas Tech in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals would have seen them in the NCAA Tournament. Even with a close loss, the Longhorns still had a great shot at making the postseason.

Either way, the 2019-2020 season has concluded and for Shaka Smart and Texas, it is time to work towards 2020-2021.

Like the Longhorns, CBS Sports’ College Basketball insider Jon Rothstein has moved on to next season and has released his initial top 45 teams for the 2020-2021 season. Ranking Texas just inside the top 25, they are No. 21 in the Rothstein 45.

Here are his lineup projections for next season:

21. Texas

G Matt Coleman
G Courtney Ramey
G Andrew Jones
F Kai Jones
C Jericho Sims

Key Losses: None

Key Newcomers: None

Projected Bench: Kamaka Hepa, Jase Febres, Will Baker, Brock Cunningham, Royce Hamm, Gerald Liddell, Donovan Williams

NBA Watch: None

Barring any transfers, Texas should have the entire roster back for next season. Add in the possibility of adding five-star small forward Greg Brown out of Austin, TX in this year’s recruiting class, and the Longhorns look primed for a run in the 2020-2021 season.

Rothstein ranks six other Big 12 teams in his top 45, having Baylor at No. 3, Kansas at No. 4, Texas Tech at No. 17, West Virginia at No. 19, Oklahoma at No. 36, and Oklahoma State at No. 42.

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Texas Basketball’s Seeding History in the NCAA Tournament

Today would have been Selection Sunday for the NCAA Tournament. Here is UT’s history of seeding throughout the NCAA Tournament.

If it were not for COVID-19, today would have been Selection Sunday for the NCAA Tournament. Going into the Big 12 Tournament this week, Texas was in need of a win against Texas Tech to fully secure their spot in March Madness this season. However, we will never know if the Longhorns were going to make it or what their seeding would have been.

Throughout Texas’ history, they have made the NCAA Tournament 34 times. 26 of those appearances came after the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, beginning in 1989 and as recent as 2018. The Longhorns have been seeded in 11 different positions ranging from the top of the bracket to playing the underdog role.

Here is Texas’ seeding history in the NCAA Tournament:

Highest ever seed: One seed in 2003

Lowest ever seed: 11 seed in 1989, 1995, 2012, and 2015

Most frequent seed: Six seed (four times), 10 seed (four times), 11 seed (four times)

The one time Texas was ever a one seed was in the 2003 NCAA Tournament, where they also made their third Final Four in school history. Led by T.J. Ford and Brandon Mouton, the Longhorns went 22-5 in the regular season and finished second in the Big 12 with a 13-3 conference record. Despite losing to Texas Tech in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, Texas managed to hang onto a one seed.

In the tournament, Rick Barnes’ squad beat UNC Ashville by 21 in the first round and Purdue by 10 in the second round to make the school’s second Sweet 16 in as many years.

The games got tougher from then on, escaping from UConn with a four-point victory and then beating Michigan State by nine to win the South Region. After making it to the Final Four in 1947 and only getting as far as the Elite Eight once since then, Texas was back to the promised land.

The Longhorns lost to a Syracuse team led by Carmelo Anthony by 11 at the Superdome in New Orleans, ending their best season in over 50 years. The Orange would go on to win the National Championship, beating Big 12 foe Kansas in the title game.

Only securing a one seed once in their history, Texas has only gotten as high as a two seed since then. Coming in 2006 and 2008, both teams lost in the Elite Eight to LSU and Memphis respectively.

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Men’s Basketball Profile Card: Andrew Jones

Andrew Jones is a special player for the Longhorns, who has overcome so much adversity to get where he is today. Here is his profile card:

With the men’s basketball season officially over, we take a look at some of the players from the 2019-2020 NCAA basketball season for the Texas Longhorns.

Continue reading “Men’s Basketball Profile Card: Andrew Jones”

University of Texas to ban all fans from attending sporting events

With the recent pandemic concerning the COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Big 12 conference and the University of Texas released rulings.

With the recent rulings by the NCAA concerning the tournament amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Texas has also made their announcement.

This comes on the heels of the Big 12 limited fans from attending the Big 12 tournament currently taking place in Kansas City, Missouri. Per Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowles, schools will be limited to 125 fans per school.

Texas President Greg Fenves released an announcement regarding Spring Break.

I am writing to announce that I have decided to extend spring break for students by one week in response to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Classes will resume on campus on Monday, March 30, and students should plan on returning prior to that date.

The university will remain open, and the additional week of spring break will provide UT faculty and staff members time to prepare to increase “social distancing” on campus. As recommended by public health officials, social distancing provides guidelines through which individuals avoid group settings and mass gatherings, maintain a safe distance from others and follow good personal hygiene practices whenever possible.

COVID-19 represents a serious public health concern. UT is committed to the well-being of our community members and slowing the spread of the coronavirus while also supporting our students’ educational goals and the needs of staff and faculty members and students during these challenging times.

You can read the full release from President Fenves here.

The school pushing back spring break to March 30th brings into question the start of spring practice. The original start date was set for March 25th. The ban of attending home sporting events would last to the 22nd so that would not have factored in. However, the extension of spring break does.

We will monitor the situation and report the facts as they are made available.

NCAA Tournament updates amid Coronavirus outbreak

NCAA President Mark Emmert released a statement preventing fan attendance, while the College Basketball Invitational canceled completely.

The recent outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has now prevented fans from attending the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

NCAA President Mark Emmert released a statement on Wednesday stating that only essential staff and limited family will be allowed to attend games. However, the situation will continue to be monitored and adjustments will be made on an as-needed basis.

Public health officials are taking the necessary steps to prevent large crowd gatherings in fear of the COVID-19 progressing in the United States. There was a legitimate chance that March Madness would be canceled completely, but ultimately Emmert felt confident to continue the event under these special circumstances after discussions with the Board of Governors.

A separate postseason inaugural tournament, the College Basketball Invitational, has canceled completely.

Although the College Basketball Invitational is on the lower tier of importance in terms of postseason tournaments compared to the NCAA Tournament and National Invitation Tournament, the cancellation speaks volumes in terms of what is to come with sporting events over the next several months.

Not having fans in attendance throughout the NCAA tournament will impact each team significantly. Texas still has a chance to become an at-large bid into the tournament, although fan attendance has not been their strong suit this season.

 

Shaka Smart: Brock Cunningham’s ankle is ‘swelled up pretty good’

Texas is in KC to face off against Texas Tech in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals. However, they may be without forward Brock Cunningham.

The Longhorns are in Kansas City to face off against Texas Tech in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals. The winner of Thursday’s game will more than likely heading to the NCAA Tournament, while the loser could be going to the NIT.

Going 1-1 against the Red Raiders this season, when Texas got a win in Lubbock, freshman forward Brock Cunningham was a key contributor, having eight points, five rebounds, and an assist.

Now, the Longhorns could be without him on Thursday afternoon as Cunningham rolled his ankle in practice on Wednesday. Head Coach Shaka Smart said Texas is evaluating the injury and said the ankle it “swelled up pretty good.”

Cunningham was a solid piece during the five-game winning streak, averaging 4.2 points and 5.0 rebounds over that stretch. His minutes have gone up since the injury to Jericho Sims, playing at least 15 mins in six out of the final seven games.

Texas will face Texas Tech on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. CST on ESPN2.

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How to watch, listen, and stream Texas’ quarterfinal game vs Texas Tech

Texas faces off against Texas Tech in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament. Here is how you can watch, listen, and stream the game.

Tournament season is finally here in college basketball and Texas has a big first game in the Big 12 Tournament against Texas Tech. It seems pretty simple, whichever team wins, is in the NCAA Tournament. The other will be sent to the NIT.

For the Longhorns, the final stretch of the season has put them in a position to have the chance to make the big dance. Andrew Jones, Matt Coleman, and Courtney Ramey have been amazing, leading Texas in scoring. To beat the Red Raiders, those three must continue to do what they have been and be consistent scorers.

The Red Raiders have struggled to end the season, losing their last four games. Jahmi’us Ramsey has been the main threat for Texas Tech on both the offensive and defensive end. Stopping him will be the key for Texas on Thursday afternoon.

Here is how you can watch Texas’ Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal matchup against Texas Tech:

Game information:

Date: 3/12/2020

Time: 11:30 a.m. CST

Location: Sprint Center in Kansas City, KS

Watch: ESPN2

Listen: TexasSports.com/audio —Austin 104.9FM, 99.3FM, 98.5FM, 1260AM; Dallas 1080AM; El Paso 600AM; Houston 790AM; San Antonio 1200AM — Spanish: Austin 105.3FM; Dallas 990AM, 99.9FM

Stream: ESPN App

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