Texas (17-10, 8-6 SEC) slipped just two spots to No. 39 in the NCAA’s NET rankings, which is a major component used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee when determining the March Madness field.
The No. 37 ranking for Texas is ninth among SEC schools, behind No. 34 Georgia and just ahead of No. 42 Texas A&M. After a home game against the SEC’s top-ranked NET team in No. 7 Florida, the Longhorns travel to A&M Saturday in a game with major seeding implications for both teams.
How do the NCAA Tournament prognosticators see the Longhorns entering this week? Let’s take a look.
ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi: Tuesday, Feb. 24 update
According to Tuesday’s latest NCAA Tournament projection from ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi, the Longhorns dropped one spot to a No. 10 seed following the loss to Georgia. Lunardi projects Texas in the South Region in Oklahoma City where the Longhorns would face No. 7 Wisconsin in the first round. In this scenario, Texas would likely face No. 2 Houston in the second round with a win.
Eleven SEC teams would make the tournament, based on Lunardi’s current projection.
CBS Bracketology update: Tuesday, Feb. 24 update
In CBS Sports’ tournament projections, Texas remains a No. 9 seed for the second straight week. CBS projects the Longhorns facing off against No. 8 SMU in a first-round West Region contest. With a win, Texas would advance to a possible second-round meeting with No. 1 Arizona.
The SEC Tournament runs March 11-15, and Selection Sunday is March 15.