Consistent NCAA Tournament runs
The ultimate reason Shaka Smart did not work out in Austin was because of his lack of NCAA Tournament wins. In six seasons, the Longhorns only made the tournament three times, losing in the round of 64 each time. For a school like Texas, getting wins in March is by far the most important. Especially when conference opponents are making deep runs.
Texas Tech was one of those schools making deep runs, led by Chris Beard. In five seasons, the Red Raiders went to the Round of 32, the Elite Eight, and the national championship. Not even Hall of Famer Bob Knight could make it past the Sweet 16 in Lubbock. Beard’s success in the NCAA Tournament was going to see him as a Texas Tech legend.
Now, he will attempt to bring the same success to the Longhorns. A program desperate for tournament success, Beard has a proven track record, even dating back to his one season at Arkansas-Little Rock. Roster development may take a season or two but when Beard does make the NCAA Tournament, no team will want to see Texas on their side of the bracket.