Texas Longhorns
Big 12 (16-16, 8-10)
Texas has had a very interesting season. The schedule has been very tough, but there are some bad losses. The Longhorns lost at home to Radford between more respectable losses to Michigan State and VCU. But there was another loss at home to Providence and Big 12 play has not gone much better. The Longhorns finished the regular season with a 8-10 Big 12 record. It is a tough conference of course, but that is not the momentum Texas would prefer heading into the NIT.
Big Wins: 11/22 vs North Carolina (92-89), 12/9 Purdue (72-68), 1/29 Kansas (73-63)
Bad Losses: 11/30 Radford (59-62), 12/21 Providence (65-71), 1/8 at Oklahoma State (58-61)
Coach: Shaka Smart
Why They Can Surprise:
The return of Kerwin Roach will help. The senior guard missed the last seven regular season games, but made his return during the conference tournament. Roach is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 14.7 points per game. The Longhorns saw Jase Febres and Courtney Ramey step up during Roach’s absence. Those two are capable of providing a nice offensive spark for the Longhorns, especially with their outside shooting. Dylan Osetkowski has not been the most consistent big man in the Big 12, but he is a good scorer and rebounder. Frontcourt mate Jaxson Hayes is the shot blocking threat and the freshman has had some very productive outings.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Despite the presence of Osetkowski and Hayes in the paint, this is not a good rebounding team. Part of the problem is the lack of depth in the frontcourt. Jericho Sims and Kamaka Hepa will have to play quite a few minutes and neither has been particularly productive on the glass.
Probable Starters:
Matt Coleman, Sophomore, Guard, 10.0 ppg, 3.6 apg
Courtney Ramey, Freshman, Guard, 7.9 ppg, 3.0 apg, 3.1 rpg
Kerwin Roach, Senior, Guard, 14.7 ppg, 3.0 apg, 4.4 rpg
Dylan Osetkowski, Senior, Forward, 10.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg
Jaxson Hayes, Freshman, Forward, 10.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.2 bpg
Key Role Players:
Jericho Sims, Sophomore, Forward, 3.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Kamaka Hepa, Freshman, Forward, 1.9 ppg
Elijah Mitrou-Long, Junior, Guard, 5.9 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.2 (218th in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.1 (60, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.6 (224, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.0 (122, 8)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.5 (90, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.1 (196, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.3 (155, 3)
Rebound Margin: -0.5 (223, 9)
Assists Per Game: 12.8 (225, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.1 (35, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Nevada |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Northern Iowa |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Butler |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Arizona State |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Michigan |
| 2013 | CBI | First Round loss to Houston |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Cincinnati |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Oakland |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Arizona |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Wake Forest |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Minnesota |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Duke |
| 2008 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Austin Peay |
| 2008 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Miami |
| 2008 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Stanford |
| 2008 | NCAA | Regional Final loss to Memphis |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over New Mexico |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to USC |
*all team stats through 3/10
