It has been a frustrating season for Texas, suffering some brutal losses throughout the year. Despite that, there is still a small glimmer of hope that Shaka Smart can lead the Longhorns to the postseason for the third time in his tenure in Austin.
Many times it has seemed like the chances at making the tournament were over, but somehow Texas still remains. After picking up wins against TCU and Kansas State, the Longhorns are just a win or two away from being back on the bubble.
Needing to win out and more than likely needing some help throughout the way, there is still a path to postseason basketball for Texas. Here are three reasons the Longhorns can still make the NCAA Tournament:
Upcoming Opportunities
The final four games for Texas has three NCAA Tournament teams on the schedule with West Virginia, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma. With the latter two being played on the road, the Longhorns will have the chance to pick up three quadrant one victories in a row.
Already playing those three opponents, Texas is currently 0-3 against them. The West Virginia and Oklahoma games were double-digit losses, while the Longhorns only lost by five to Texas Tech. Revenge should be on their mind as Texas does not want to be getting swept in their season series against conference rivals.
Even winning two out of these three games would be big for the Longhorns as they just need a little bit of a boost to get their name back in the pool. With the crazy season it has been in college basketball, no team should ever be considered out of the fight, especially with quality opponents left like Texas has.
Wide-open Big 12 tournament
Baylor and Kansas are undoubtedly the two best teams in the Big 12 this season, both ranked within the top five of the AP poll. Looking past those two heavyweights, the rest of the conference is wide open. Besides Baylor and KU, only Texas Tech has a winning record in Big 12 play, with West Virginia at 7-7 and everyone else below .500.
If the tournament started today, Texas would be facing off against West Virginia in the four seed vs five seed matchup. They would then get an opportunity at the one seed, having the chance to get a vital win towards getting an NCAA tournament.
If the conference season has proven anything, it is that it is a fairly competitive league. Even if Baylor and Kansas only have one conference loss each, they remain beatable as they have played competitive games all year. Texas will compete with the best and have the chance to get a win to springboard them into the madness.
Star Guards Have Begun to Step Up on Offense
Throughout the entire season, inconsistency has been the downfall of the Longhorns, with star players playing well one night and then having issues the next night. In the last two games against TCU and Kansas State, Shaka Smart’s squad has been consistently good, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Scoring 70 points in both of their last two games, the source of points have been coming from the guards, with Matt Coleman, Courtney Ramey, and Andrew Jones all stepping up big time. Ramey and Jones were in double figures in both games, while Coleman dropped a career-high 26 against Kansas State after missing out against TCU with an injury.
Role players like Will Baker, Kamaka Hepa, and Royce Hamm Jr. have been solid in the two wins, but the road to success rolls through the Texas backcourt. When the Longhorns have struggled, it has been due to offensive struggles. When Coleman, Jones, and Ramey are shooting the ball to their full potential, Texas is able to compete with anybody in the Big 12.
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