Even though it is a few weeks shy of the conference play halfway point, both teams have done enough so far to catch Lunardi’s eye.
Texas, which is 12th place in the SEC standings being picked to place ninth in the preseason poll, has been solid under first-year coach Sean Miller. The Horns (11-7, 2-3) are looking to make the tournament for the sixth straight year.
A&M was picked to finish 13th in the preseason poll and is in second place. The Aggies (14-4, 4-1) are also playing for a new coach, in Bucky McMillan. The 2021-22 season was the last year A&M didn’t make the NCAA Tournament.
Here is what Lunardi thinks so far:
As of Tuesday afternoon, Lunardi — ESPN’s longtime bracketologist — has Texas as the last team into the 64-spot bracket and its highest projected seed is ninth.
The Longhorns had a rough start to conference play, losing two straight games. But they rebounded for back-to-back wins over Alabama and Vanderbilt, giving the Commodores their first loss of the season before falling to Texas A&M).
According to the NET rankings, Texas is projected for the tourney field since it is ranked 41. Texas has played seven Quad 1 teams and gone 3-4 but are 0-2 against Quad 2 teams.
A&M’s highest seed would be 10th, per Lunardi, with the Aggies considered one of the teams that would skip the First Four round.
A&M is right behind the Longhorns at 42, according to NET. The Aggies have played just five Quad 1 teams and gone 2-3, but the Aggies are 3-1 against Quad 2 teams.
The bracketology is subject to change before Selection Sunday on March 15.