Ron Slay emphatically stumps for Texas to make NCAA tournament: 'These folks need to be in'

As Texas headed to Nashville for its first-ever SEC tournament, the Longhorns were also fighting for their postseason lives. They are squarely on the March Madness bubble, and an appearance in the bracket is at stake this weekend.

Texas took a big step to get there, defeating Vanderbilt at Bridgestone Arena Wednesday afternoon. That sets up a matchup against Texas A&M on Thursday as the Longhorns keep fighting to hear their name called on Selection Sunday.

To SEC Network’s Ron Slay, there isn’t much debate. He stumped hard for Texas to make the Field of 68 following the win over Vanderbilt, telling Rodney Terry not to worry about saying anything in the process.

“I want to tell the nation. Nation, be ready for a treat,” Slay said after the game. “I’m telling you right now, Joe Lunardi, these folks need to be in. The nation needs to see this young man [Tre Johnson] play on a national platform. Put the highlights on him.

“I’m telling you. This Texas team – Coach Terry, don’t you say another word. I’ve got this one. Put them in.”

Texas entered Wednesday as one of the first four teams out of the field, according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. The Longhorns are No. 42 in the NET rankings as of Wednesday evening thanks to seven Quadrant 1 victories. They’re also No. 44 in the KenPom metrics.

The win over Vanderbilt was significant for Texas’ hopes of playing in March Madness. However, as Lunardi noted before the game, a second victory – over not only a rival, but a team ranked No. 17 in the NET rankings – would help the Longhorns “feel comfortable” about their chances of making the NCAA tournament.

“We don’t know what all the teams around them are going to do or if any of the spots are going to disappear,” Lunardi said. “We all remember that there were five that disappeared in a span of 48 hours last year. While I don’t think that will be the case – in fact, I’m sure that won’t be the case – those opportunities really don’t exist to that number this year. They probably need two wins to feel comfortable this year, even though they may see themselves swing on a pendulum between being in and out and in and out more than once over the next three or four days.

“I apologize in advance to the people of Texas if I do that to them. We just kind of call that an occupational hazard.”