Max Abmas shares how games intensify for players in March

March Madness is underway, and with it are the hopes and dreams of 68 college basketball teams. Among those teams is the Texas Longhorns, led on the floor by fifth-year guard Max Abmas.

Ahead of the NCAA Tournament, Abmas shared how the game changes for players in the NCAA Tournament. In particular, he highlighted how it’s a much more intense game than in the regular season.

“I think the speed is the same,” Max Abmas said. “I think maybe the intensity just cause everybody doesn’t want to go home. Everybody wants to keep playing and continue their season.”

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“So, everybody plays with a greater urgency, especially at this time of [year]. Every team in the field is a good team. They’ve all had great years. So, you’re playing the best in the country.”

Max Abmas is in his first season at Texas. He previously played four seasons at Oral Roberts. There, he went to the NCAA Tournament twice, including on a Cinderella run in 2021 that saw Oral Roberts make it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen.

This season, Abmas has averaged 17.1 points, 3,0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game for Texas. The Longhorns, clearly, are going to be relying on him to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament this season.

Texas is a seven-seed for the NCAA Tournament. In their opening game, the Longhorns are set to take on Colorado State. The winner of that game will advance to, in all likelihood, take on Tennessee. The Volunteers are a two-seed, opening against 15-seed St. Peter’s.

For now, the Longhorns are focused on Colorado State, who they’ll play on Thursday, March 21st, at 6:50 p.m. EST.

Max Abmas shares how Texas prepared for Colorado State

Texas had less time to prepare for its opponent than most teams because Colorado State had to play and win a First Four game to make it to the Round of 64 to play the Longhorns. That was a challenge that Max Abmas broke down, explaining how Texas prepared for both teams.

“Yeah, I mean, we’re scouting for both opponents. I mean both are really good teams and it’ll be a really good game,” Abmas said.

“Kind of scouting for both opponents. Kind of working on different coverages that they’ll do on their defensive side. Then kind of different plays in the way that they play on the offensive end too.”