Rodney Terry agrees with thought that winning SEC Tournament is harder than reaching Elite Eight

In his latest projections, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi predicted the SEC to have 13 teams in the NCAA Tournament. In short, the conference is murderer’s row, and that’s only amplified during the five-day stretch that is the SEC Tournament.

The SEC’s historic talent this season has led to some fans claiming that winning the SEC Tournament will be more difficult than going as far as the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. After Texas defeated Vanderbilt 79-72 in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday, Longhorns head coach Rodney Terry weighed in on this hot take.

“I would agree with them on that,” Terry said with a laugh. “Every night you’re going to get a Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight-caliber, Final Four-caliber opponent in this tournament right now. The farther you advance, that’s what you’re going to face every night, a team that has a chance to win the whole thing.

“Again, with that, that raises your level of play. Obviously, what you have to do, what you have to be prepared to face. I say this time of the year, if you’re a college basketball player, you’re a college basketball coach, it doesn’t get any bigger or better than March. It’s like Christmas… It’s why you do all the things in summer, in the fall, to get to this time of year where you have lifelong memories that you’ll make the rest of your life.”

Texas jumpstarted its postseason with a 79-72 win over Vanderbilt on Wednesday. In the victory, four of the Longhorns’ starters scored double figures, including star freshman Tre Johnson who notched 19 points.

Alas, Texas still showed room for improvement in the win. The Longhorns boasted a 15-point lead at halftime and with just over four minutes left in the game but kept allowing Vanderbilt to chip away at their lead.

Nonetheless, Texas won’t complain about a victory. Now, Rodney Terry and Co. will square off against Texas A&M at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will air live on the SEC Network.

The two teams went 1-1 during the regular season. In their first meeting, the Aggies dominated Texas in a 20-point blowout. In the rematch, the Longhorns squeaked out a 1-point win. Terry is excited for the grudge match against the in-state rival.

“A lot of respect for Texas A&M team we’re about to play right now,” Terry said. “(Buzz) Williams has had a great season. His team is extremely well-coached. They play really hard. They’re a physical team. We’re just excited about another day and another opportunity. Again, just controlling what we can control at this moment right now.”