What does Texas need to do to make the NCAA Tournament?

After beating No. 15 Kentucky in a thrilling game at home, Texas moves to 16-10 on the season and 5-8 in SEC play. The win also gives Texas another Quadrant 1 win, getting them to 4-8 in those games, an important stat for making the tournament.

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But what does Texas still need to do to make March Madness?

For the Horns to make the tournament, they most likely have to get to eight conference wins, meaning winning at least three of the last five. 

Here are the five games remaining for the Horns. 

At South Carolina – Feb. 22

On Saturday February 22, Texas goes into Columbia to face the Gamecocks, who are in last place in the SEC. While normally facing the last place team would be relatively easy, South Carolina has been competitive at times, beating Clemson, who is second in the ACC, and staying within a few scores of teams like Auburn and Ole Miss. This game is as close to a must-win game as there is if Texas wants to make the tournament. 

At Arkansas – Feb. 26

The last time the Longhorns faced the Razorbacks, Arkansas won 78-70. But the game as a whole never felt close, with Arkansas leading by 23 points at times, and the score only looked better due to a late push to cut the lead to six. In the first meeting, Arkansas shot 44% from the field and 41.2% from three, while Texas only shot 34.4% from the field and 27.3% from three. Arkansas also had a significant free throw advantage, especially in the first half, where the Hots attempted 18 free throws to Texas’ three. If Texas wants to make the tournament, beating the Razorbacks would be a massive step in the right direction, giving the Horns another huge Quad 1 win, and getting them closer to 8-9 conference wins. 

Georgia – March 1

Thus far this season, Georgia has been a good but inconsistent team. They’ve beaten teams like Kentucky, stayed close with teams like Auburn and Mississippi State, but also been blown out by teams like Alabama and Florida. Having the Dawgs at home gives Texas a much higher chance to beat them, with ESPN currently giving the Horns over a 70% chance to win the game. But, with Georgia’s current 4-9 SEC record, they will come in desperate for a win just like Texas, meaning Texas will have to play its best if it wants to gain a huge win for Selection Sunday.

At Mississippi State – March 4

Mississippi State has been a solid team throughout the season, winning half their conference games up to this point, including beating teams like Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. But the Bulldogs were unable to beat top teams like Auburn, Alabama, Florida, and Kentucky. Playing the Bulldogs anywhere would be tough, but having to play them in Starkville makes the game a very difficult win for the Horns. But, if they are able to win, it would give the Horns another Quad 1 victory and bolster their resume for March. 

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Oklahoma – March 8

To get their first ever SEC win, the Longhorns beat Oklahoma in Norman by 4. Oklahoma has struggled overall in conference play and is essentially eliminated from a tournament appearance. But that doesn’t mean they won’t be bringing their A game for the Austin installment of the Red River Shootout. The Horns need all the wins they can get, and a loss to a worse SEC team will not help their resume in any way. 

The Horns will need to find a way to win at least three of these games, or they’ll have to make a run in the SEC tournament if they don’t want to be left out of March Madness.