The Field of 68 predicts Texas men’s basketball to finish as the second-best team in the Southeastern Conference, or SEC.
“Why was Texas No. 2? “Money,” one of the anonymously polled coaches told Goodman, according to On3. “I know it’s not a basketball school, but they still have the money to go get dudes. Chris Beard had that thing rolling, and Rick Barnes did it for a couple decades.” Beard did have things rolling in his second year before his dismissal surrounding his arrest, but Texas only went
as far as the Elite Eight. Barnes made the tournament in 16 of his 17 years in Austin. Looking at other coaches, Shaka Smart‘s tenure had the wrong mixture of volatility and lack of great successes outside of one run to the Big 12 Tournament championship. Smart never logged a NCAA Tournament win at Texas, but his initial hire did show that the program in Austin was a place that could attract coaches who passed on other high-quality opportunities.“
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Can Texas basketball solve defensive woes against opposing guards?
Austin American-Statesman: No. 1 Texas softball embraces the pressure of defending national title
Austin American-Statesman: Chris Del Conte on playoff expansion, ticket prices, suite sales
Austin American-Statesman: Which kind of turnover is Texas senior Rori Harmon’s favorite to force?
Austin American-Statesman: No. 4 Texas makes minimal movement in women’s AP, coaches polls
Inside Texas: Texas vs. Goliath(s): The real threats looming for the Longhorns in 2026
Inside Texas: What we’re hearing inside Texas football’s offseason program
Inside Texas: What does Texas have to do to go dancing in March?
Inside Texas: Former Longhorns reveal what playing at Texas is actually like
ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION
Texas to hold football Fan Day/Scrimmage to end spring
Sean Miller: Texas needs more from Jordan Pope
RECRUITING ROUNDUP
Dallas Morning News: Texas football 2026 national signing day: Ranking the Longhorns’ high school signees
247Sports: Texas closes out the 2026 recruiting cycle with the No. 7 ranked class
247Sports: Texas signs Downey (Calif.) St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy three-star DL Elijah Ali
247Sports: In-state EDGE Sedrick Marsh Jr. has Texas high on his list
Inside Texas: Texas and 2027 four-star CB Blake Jenkins getting closer, adding spring visit
SEC SHOWDOWN
Austin American-Statesman: Coaches poll says Texas one of best SEC basketball coaching jobs
247Sports: No. 1 Texas softball picked to win the Southeastern Conference in 2026 by the league’s coaches
Good Bull Hunting: Rashaun Agee named SEC Player of the Week
Rock M Nation: Mizzou balances urgency, development in latest transfer portal class
And The Valley Shook: 2026 LSU Baseball Position Preview: Second Base
Red Cup Rebellion: Chambliss’ appeal denied, officially TRIAL LAWYA time
Rocky Top Talk: Joey Aguilar granted temporary restraining order in his lawsuit against NCAA
Roll ‘Bama Roll: Tide take down the Aggies, 100-97
A Sea Of Blue: Kentucky has elite passing performance in win over Oklahoma
WHAT WE’RE READING
SB Nation: Kristaps Porzingis trade grades for Warriors, Hawks after Jonathan Kuminga swap
SB Nation: Super Bowl prediction using the same analytics Tom Brady uses
SB Nation: The Patriots’ Super Bowl path was comically soft, but it might not matter vs. Seahawks
NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND
- Hubba hubba.
