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Texas Basketball: Everything culminating around Shaka Smart

By Andrew Miller

AUSTIN, TEXAS - JANUARY 19: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns talks with a official during the game with the Oklahoma Sooners at The Frank Erwin Center on January 19, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - JANUARY 19: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns talks with a official during the game with the Oklahoma Sooners at The Frank Erwin Center on January 19, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns reacts as his team plays the Citadel Bulldogs at the Frank Erwin Center on November 16, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns reacts as his team plays the Citadel Bulldogs at the Frank Erwin Center on November 16, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

A look back at the tenure

With the hiring of Smart and the departure of former Texas basketball head coach Rick Barnes, the expectations were high for the Horns entering the 2015-16 regular season. Smart first came over to the Forty Acres to take the reigns for the Horns in the 2015 off-season, after his time with the VCU Rams came to an end.

In his four seasons with Texas, Smart led the program to two appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Both of those appearances in March resulted in first round exits and a lot of disappointment. Last season was the most recent NCAA Tournament disappointment, after the Round of 64 defeat at the hands of the upstart Nevada Wolfpack.

Smart has a record of 61-59 in his time with the Horns, which is much worse than he was with VCU. His winning percentage in six seasons coaching the Rams was .744 compared to .508 with Texas. And, his highest rankings in each poll was higher with VCU than it ever was with the Horns.

It’s hard to believe that Smart did so much better with less talent, depth, and resources with VCU. Smart’s highest AP Poll slotting with the Horns came at one point this season, at No. 17, but he reached No. 10 with VCU. If nothing changed so far for Smart in four seasons with the Horns, it doesn’t seem like anything is going to improve anytime soon.

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