Which Texas basketball team will show up for Saturday’s regular-season finale at Moody Center against Oklahoma?
If it’s the crew that didn’t show up Wednesday at Arkansas, next week’s SEC Tournament will become a huge determinant in what’s happening — or not happening — around here come the NCAA postseason.
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Texas guard Dailyn Swain (3) is fouled as he drives past Arkansas defenders Malique Ewin (12) and Darius Acuff Jr. (5) during the first half March 4, 2026, in Fayetteville, Ark.
Michael Woods/Associated Press
Wednesday’s 105-85 loss was way worse than it looked. After a big win last Saturday at Texas A&M, the Horns looked to be on the upswing, but they left the “Texas Fight” in College Station. It sure as hell wasn’t in Fayetteville, where Arkansas ran the Horns out of the gym. With coaching legend Nolan Richardson seated courtside on the same night the school announced plans for a statue of his likeness outside Bud Walton Arena, the Horns endured 40 minutes of true basketball hell.
Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller questions the referee’s call early in the first half as the Texas Longhorns play the Texas A&M Aggies at Reed Arena in College Station, Feb. 28, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
“We were running in mud and they were on a superhighway,” Texas coach Sean Miller said after the game.
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If there is a better point guard than Arkansas’ Darius Acuff in college basketball, please point him out. He butchered Texas with 28 points, 13 assists and plenty of help from his friends, leading Miller to declare him “a monster” and the best lead guard he’s seen in his 34 years coaching the game.
Now all of a sudden, Saturday’s OU game has added significance. If the Horns limp to the finish, who’s to say the selection committee won’t change course and knock them from the bubble. Texas (18-12, 9-8 SEC) can erase any remaining doubt to its March Madness credibility with a win over the 16-14 Sooners, who have won three straight in a last-ditch effort to try and crash the Madness. The mission is pretty cut and dried: beat a desperate Oklahoma team at home. Simple enough, but the Horns have to close.
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They dropped to No. 33 in the latest KenPom.com rankings, which keeps them in relatively good shape for the NCAAs along with college basketball’s 12th-toughest schedule. That said, this is no time for another slip-up. Do yourself a favor, Horns. Don’t give the selection committee a reason to keep you out of this thing.
Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) tries to drive past Texas guard Chendall Weaver during the second half March 4, 2026, in Fayetteville, Ark.
Michael Woods/Associated Press
What happened in Fayetteville?
Wednesday night was a basketball abomination at Arkansas. You name it and the Longhorns failed at it.
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Blown layups? Check. They missed 14 of their first 21 attempts in the paint. Big man Matas Vokietaitis had a good second half, but even at 7-foot tall, he sometimes hears footsteps when he gets the ball at the rim. Those little hesitations cost Texas several points in the early going and helped dig a hole that proved too deep as time went on.
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What about dumb fouls? Senior leader Jordan Pope committed three in his first four minutes with decision-making akin to a nervous 6-year-old making his Little Dribblers debut. He opened the second half with his fourth foul just nine seconds in. For him to shower after the game would been a colossal waste of good soap and water.
“He didn’t seem like he really wanted to play,” Miller said. “He really didn’t. He didn’t participate in tonight’s game. Certainly, when you have a senior who is that meaningful to your team and he’s not able to play, it hurts and it certainly hurt us.”
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What about free throws? Brick city. There were rumors of Shaq calling in at the half with some pointers after Texas missed eight of their first 14 tries. The Horns, who entered the game shooting a robust 78% from the strip, finished 14 of 27.
Defense? The Horns have more holes in their shop than Krispy Kreme. The Hogs reeled off 56 first-half points and 26 came via fast breaks. Ten came on dunks. No team in America looks as bad as the Horns when they aren’t locked in on D.
It’s gut-check time, Texas. Show up against Oklahoma and there shouldn’t be any problems. They’re a fine offensive team, but the Horns gave a few trust points back with that no-show.
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Texas Longhornsguard Rori Harmon (3) hugs guard Bryanna Preston (1) after the game against Georgia at the Moody Center on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Rori Harmon’s last stand
Texas point guard Rori Harmon knows the clock is ticking on her women’s college basketball career. After getting a taste of the Final Four in 2025, one of the country’s most under-appreciated players believes the Texas women have the tools to get back there in a month.
She dreams of a career in the WNBA and then sports management after her playing days are done, but those thoughts are on the back-burner as the No. 4 Horns prep for the SEC Tournament followed by Harmon’s final run at the program’s second championship. The No. 4 Horns (28-3) have had a monster year and earned a double bye in this week’s SEC Tournament after finishing tied for second place behind South Carolina. They’re projected as one of four No. 1 seeds, according to ESPN bracketologist Charlie Creme.
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They’re relatively healthy as a long regular season winds down, but coach Vic Schaefer should be feeling great about their tourney prospects because Texas is deeper in Year 7. It’s not all on Madison Booker and Harmon anymore.
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Texas newcomer Aaliyah Crump gives Schaefer another versatile defender on the perimeter with the capability of knocking down 3-pointers. Forward Justice Carlton is this team’s best post-up player. Sophomore guards Jordan Lee and Bryanna Preston are playing their best ball at the right time of the season.
Harmon isn’t just hungry to close this out with a natty after the Horns tied for second place in the SEC regular season. She’s ravenous, and so are her teammates.
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“I think we all have an edge to us,” Harmon said on our “On Second Thought” podcast. “We didn’t obtain the goal of winning the conference, but I think now there’s still an opportunity for more championships. And so I would say we’re just honing on bringing that fiery edge, making sure and holding each other accountable to the fact that we’re not going to let each other lose.”
Schaefer is still waiting on the Horns to string together some dominant performances. He believes there’s another level the team can reach.
Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. of Texas runs the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 26, 2026, in Indianapolis.
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Longhorns legend Derrick Johnson believes in Anthony Hill Jr.
On this week’s “On Second Thought” podcast, Kirk Bohls and yours truly asked Texas legend Derrick Johnson what he thought of linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.’s performance at the NFL scouting combine. Ohio State’s Sonny Styles projects as the best ‘backer in the draft, but Hill may have moved up from early second-round projections to late first-round status after he ran a 4.51 in the 40-yard dash then registered a 37-inch vertical jump and a 10-5 broad jump.
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“That was important for him because the season didn’t end the way he wanted because he was hurt,” Johnson said. “He’s a menace when it comes to playing linebacker. He loves the game of football and can rush the passer. I wouldn’t be surprised if (an NFL team) didn’t pull the trigger in the first round.”
Johnson, who also ran a 4.5 at the combine before going with the No. 15 pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005, has served as a mentor to UT players over the years and takes a special interest in linebackers. When asked to compare Hill to a young version of himself, Johnson lit up. He loves talking ball.
“We’re different players,” he said, referencing that Hill is a true middle linebacker whereas Johnson didn’t play there until his third year. “He’s more of a Rottweiler. He will run right through you. He’s not going to be as slippery as I was at times. Both ways work on the football field. Both will make plays.”
Johnson’s Defend the Dream fundraiser a smash success
Johnson had amazing experiences in college and with the Chiefs — he’s the franchise’s all-time leading tackler — but nothing he did on the gridiron comes close to the impact he’s making in retirement.
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Johnson’s Defend the Dream Foundation, which is aimed at combating illiteracy in elementary schools in underserved communities, raised $650,000 at Celebrity Waiter Night, a star-studded gala Feb. 22 at the Four Seasons. The proceeds will allow the charity to continue its work in donating reading wings called Discovery Dens and books to local Title 1 elementary schools.
I was blessed to host the event with local radio powerhouse and fellow advisory board member Brad Booker, who had a room of 500 — including Longhorns legends who served as waiters in between autographs and handshakes — excited from start to finish.
“We’re going to make it bigger and better next year,” Johnson said. “The bar is set high. It’s a good problem to have.”
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The plan is to refurbish four libraries a year moving forward, but this can’t happen without people who care. A library book costs only $25 and it can last mor than a decade. Imagine how many young sets of eyes could be affected by such a small gift. To donate to Defend the Dream, go to derrickjohnsonfoundation.org.