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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Texas basketball came to the SEC Tournament knowing it needed at least two wins to make a strong case for at least an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
But after dispatching 13th-seeded Vanderbilt and fifth-seeded Texas A&M in their first two games, the Longhorns (19-14) suddenly have higher hopes. With yet another victory in an SEC quarterfinal game against fourth-seeded Tennessee, they would start worrying more about seeding than selection when it comes to the NCAA Tournament’s selection show on Sunday.
But the No. 8 Volunteers (25-6) will offer the sternest test yet for Texas, especially in their backyard on Broadway. Tennessee ended the Longhorns’ season a year ago in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and the Vols worked over Texas on the boards in a win in Austin earlier this season.
But Texas looks like a different team entering its third SEC Tournament game in three days (2:30 p.m. Friday, ESPN, 1300/98.1). Fully healthy for just the fourth time all season, the Longhorns outlasted in double overtime Thursday a physical Texas A&M squad that serves as the SEC’s nearest proxy to a bruising Volunteer bunch
Here’s what to know about Texas vs. Tennessee.
More: Why Texas basketball will miss the NCAAs, why Rodney Terry could be out of a job | Golden
Day: Friday
Start time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
TV channel: ESPN
Livestream: Fubo (free trial), ESPN+, SEC+
Barnes was Texas' head coach for 17 seasons from 1998-2015. Even though he left Austin almost a decade ago, his imprint remains on the program’s record books as well as on the current coaching staff. Barnes became UT's all-time leader in wins and compiled a record of 582-402. He led the Longhorns to 16 NCAA Tournament berths and the program's only Final Four of the modern era in 2003. Texas head coach Rodney Terry and two members of his staff — assistant coach Frank Haith and general manager Chris Ogden — served on Barnes’ staff at Texas in the 2000s.
“Coach (Barnes) is a hall-of-fame coach, and he’s had a terrific season,” said Terry, who retains a close relationship with Barnes. “They're going to play physical, they're going to guard you, and it's going to be a tough ball game. I mean, they’re a Final Four or Elite Eight-caliber team. We beat a Final Four Elite Eight-caliber team today (in Texas A&M), and it's going take a lot of energy, and it’s going take a lot of a lot of connected guys playing really hard tomorrow.”
When Tennessee held on for a 74-70 win at Moody Center early in the conference schedule, the Vols leaned on a 41-27 edge on the boards. But the Longhorns are rebounding much better in recent weeks. Before Texas A&M beat Texas 53-40 on the boards Thursday, the Longhorns had lost the rebounding battle just once in its previous four games. The return to health of guard Chendall Weaver helps; he’s had 12 rebounds in 41 total minutes in Nashville. Arthur Kaluma has also looked spry after battling some nagging injuries midway through the season with 23 total points and 14 total rebounds at the SEC Tournament.
Tennessee leans heavily on its two All-SEC players who each play specific roles. Zeigler, a 5-foot-9 senior, earned the SEC’s defensive player of the year award this season after finishing the regular season averaging 13.1 points, a league-high 7.5 assists, three rebounds and 1.9 steals in 33.9 minutes per game. A matchup with Texas guard Tre Johnson, the league’s leading scorer, could fascinate, but the size difference between Zeigler and the 6-6 Johnson may keep Barnes away from that matchup.
Lanier, a 6-4 senior transfer from North Florida, averages a team-high 17.9 points and shoots 43.2% from the field, including 40.5% from the 3-point line. Expect to see a lot of one-on-one matchups between Texas wing Tramon Mark and Lanier.
Texas. Whether it’s the return to health of Weaver or the point-guard duties taken up by Mark, something has clicked for the Longhorns in Nashville. It’s hard to bet against them right now, even against the rugged Volunteers.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas basketball vs Tennessee: TV channel, game info
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But after dispatching 13th-seeded Vanderbilt and fifth-seeded Texas A&M in their first two games, the Longhorns (19-14) suddenly have higher hopes. With yet another victory in an SEC quarterfinal game against fourth-seeded Tennessee, they would start worrying more about seeding than selection when it comes to the NCAA Tournament’s selection show on Sunday.
But the No. 8 Volunteers (25-6) will offer the sternest test yet for Texas, especially in their backyard on Broadway. Tennessee ended the Longhorns’ season a year ago in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and the Vols worked over Texas on the boards in a win in Austin earlier this season.
But Texas looks like a different team entering its third SEC Tournament game in three days (2:30 p.m. Friday, ESPN, 1300/98.1). Fully healthy for just the fourth time all season, the Longhorns outlasted in double overtime Thursday a physical Texas A&M squad that serves as the SEC’s nearest proxy to a bruising Volunteer bunch
Here’s what to know about Texas vs. Tennessee.
More: Why Texas basketball will miss the NCAAs, why Rodney Terry could be out of a job | Golden
Texas vs Tennessee time
Day: Friday
Start time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
You must be registered for see images attach
How to watch Texas vs Tennessee
TV channel: ESPN
Livestream: Fubo (free trial), ESPN+, SEC+
Rick Barnes vs. Texas Longhorns: Hello again
Barnes was Texas' head coach for 17 seasons from 1998-2015. Even though he left Austin almost a decade ago, his imprint remains on the program’s record books as well as on the current coaching staff. Barnes became UT's all-time leader in wins and compiled a record of 582-402. He led the Longhorns to 16 NCAA Tournament berths and the program's only Final Four of the modern era in 2003. Texas head coach Rodney Terry and two members of his staff — assistant coach Frank Haith and general manager Chris Ogden — served on Barnes’ staff at Texas in the 2000s.
“Coach (Barnes) is a hall-of-fame coach, and he’s had a terrific season,” said Terry, who retains a close relationship with Barnes. “They're going to play physical, they're going to guard you, and it's going to be a tough ball game. I mean, they’re a Final Four or Elite Eight-caliber team. We beat a Final Four Elite Eight-caliber team today (in Texas A&M), and it's going take a lot of energy, and it’s going take a lot of a lot of connected guys playing really hard tomorrow.”
Texas vs Tennessee: Rebounding was key in conference game
When Tennessee held on for a 74-70 win at Moody Center early in the conference schedule, the Vols leaned on a 41-27 edge on the boards. But the Longhorns are rebounding much better in recent weeks. Before Texas A&M beat Texas 53-40 on the boards Thursday, the Longhorns had lost the rebounding battle just once in its previous four games. The return to health of guard Chendall Weaver helps; he’s had 12 rebounds in 41 total minutes in Nashville. Arthur Kaluma has also looked spry after battling some nagging injuries midway through the season with 23 total points and 14 total rebounds at the SEC Tournament.
Tennessee Volunteers: Chaz Lanier, Zakai Zeigler led Vols
Tennessee leans heavily on its two All-SEC players who each play specific roles. Zeigler, a 5-foot-9 senior, earned the SEC’s defensive player of the year award this season after finishing the regular season averaging 13.1 points, a league-high 7.5 assists, three rebounds and 1.9 steals in 33.9 minutes per game. A matchup with Texas guard Tre Johnson, the league’s leading scorer, could fascinate, but the size difference between Zeigler and the 6-6 Johnson may keep Barnes away from that matchup.
Lanier, a 6-4 senior transfer from North Florida, averages a team-high 17.9 points and shoots 43.2% from the field, including 40.5% from the 3-point line. Expect to see a lot of one-on-one matchups between Texas wing Tramon Mark and Lanier.
Texas vs. Tennessee prediction
Texas. Whether it’s the return to health of Weaver or the point-guard duties taken up by Mark, something has clicked for the Longhorns in Nashville. It’s hard to bet against them right now, even against the rugged Volunteers.
Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas basketball vs Tennessee: TV channel, game info
Continue reading...
