March Madness Lonestar Showdown? ESPN's Joe Lunardi Projects Longhorns vs. Aggies in NCAA Tournament
As the Texas Longhorns approach the final stretch of conference play with just nine games remaining, ESPN's Joe Lunardi says the Horns could square off against Texas A&M Aggies.
The Lone Star State showdown revivale is anticipated to take place in the East region, with Charlotte as the venue. Since last week's projection, the Longhorns have moved from Lunardi's ninth seed to the seventh.
The March Madness bracket comprises 68 Division 1 basketball teams selected by the NCAA D1 Men’s Basketball Committee. While 32 teams secure automatic entry by winning their conference championships, the remaining 36 slots are reserved for "at-large" teams.
© Scott Wachter, USA TODAY
These at-large teams catch the committee's attention with their strong performances and overall resume, regardless of their chances to clinch a conference title. The committee evaluates and votes on these teams, considering factors such as wins against quality opponents, strength of schedule, and overall performance.
Teams deemed "under consideration" by the committee are voted into the bracket until all spots are filled. For Texas basketball, their remaining conference games offer crucial opportunities to bolster their resume and make a compelling case for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
Although the current Texas squad has fallen short of expectations compared to last year, the season is far from over.
The Longhorns are bracing themselves for tough upcoming matchups, including daunting road games against Houston and Baylor. These challenging contests highlight the team's need to elevate their performance in order to secure a coveted spot in the tournament bracket.
Either way, a potential clash against Texas A&M promises to be a thrilling matchup between two classic bitter rivals.
After a series of matchups against ranked opponents, the Longhorns are set to take on the unranked West Virginia Mountaineers in Austin this Saturday at the Moody Center.
The game is scheduled to tip-off at 2 p.m. Central Time and will be broadcast on Longhorn Network.
