The #10 Texas Longhorns begin their season on Friday night at the Frank Erwin Center when the North Dakota State Bison come to town. That means it’s time to brush up on prognostication skills and talk about legitimate expectations for the 2014-15 Texas Basketball season:
Non-Conference Schedule
The North Dakota State Bison are just one of many top tier opponents that the Texas Longhorns will play in their non-conference schedule. The Longhorns play 5 teams (Iowa, North Dakota State, Kentucky, UConn, and Stanford) that went to the NCAA tournament last season, including both the National Runner up and the defending National Champion. Texas has the potential to play a 6th NCAA tournament team if they play Syracuse in the final of the 2K classic.
The Longhorns need to be ready right out of the gate: in the first 8 games, Texas plays Kentucky, Iowa, UConn, and potentially Syracuse. I predict 2-3 losses in the non-conference season.
Prediction: 11-2 (Losses to Syracuse and Kentucky)
Conference schedule
Jjust because they have the best raw talent in the league, doesn’t mean the Longhorns to run all over the Big 12. It’s going to be a dog fight all Winter. Kansas State, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Iowa State all have very talented teams that have won in this league. Fans also shouldn’t discount the quality of the Oklahoma State, Baylor or West Virginia rosters, especially if Bob Huggins is fighting for his job. The Big 12 is always a physical league and this year will be no exception.
The Longhorns have to treat each game as it’s own season. I expect the Longhorns to improve the results in away game compared to last year, but still lose enough of them to have the regular season title be out of reach.
Conference record: 14-4 (3rd place behind Kansas and Kansas State)
Conference tournament
Despite being one of the more consistent programs in the Big 12, Texas has never won the conference tournament. They have been the runner up 6 times but never the champion. After steadily improving during the regular season, the Horns should be primed for a serious run at the title. In fact, I predict Texas wins the Big 12 tournament and gets the automatic bid.
Big 12 Tournament: Champions
Selection Sunday
There will be no bubble team worry on Selection Sunday for Texas – the only concern will be what seed the Horns get. I predict they will get a 3 or 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Seed Prediction: 3rd or 4th seed
Tournament prediction
The NCAA tournament is all about matchups, but most 3 or 4 seeds sail through their first round game. Under Rick Barnes the Longhorns have fared well in first round games – their issue comes when they reach the Round of 32. The Longhorns are trying to end the streak of 5 consecutive NCAA tournaments that they did not make it to the Sweet Sixteen.
I think the Longhorns will end that streak but not make it beyond the Sweet Sixteen.
Prediction: Sweet Sixteen
