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Texas Basketball: NCAA Tournament chances collapsing?

By Andrew Miller

AMES, IA - FEBRUARY 2: Cameron Lard #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones takes a shot as Jaxson Hayes #10 of the Texas Longhorns blocks in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on February 2, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 65-60 over the Texas Longhorns. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - FEBRUARY 2: Cameron Lard #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones takes a shot as Jaxson Hayes #10 of the Texas Longhorns blocks in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on February 2, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 65-60 over the Texas Longhorns. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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It seems like the foundation is collapsing quickly around Texas basketball as we get closer and closer to the conclusion of the regular season.

One of the final games of the regular season for Texas basketball comes on March 2 with the Iowa State Cyclones on tap. Texas basketball is sitting on a losing streak that is coming at a difficult time of the season to get out of. Senior shooting guard Kerwin Roach Jr. is likely done for the year and the rotation isn’t as consistent or developed as needed at this point.

The most recent loss for Texas basketball has to be one that stung more than the other 12 thus far. The Texas Longhorns has the Baylor Bears on the ropes in a key Big 12 showdown earlier this week with a lead of 17 points. Texas couldn’t hang on until the very end and wound up with a one point overtime defeat.

Texas basketball might have one of its more disappointing seasons in recent memory on tap for the 2018-19 campaign, and that says a lot. Head Texas basketball coach Shaka Smart had some weird results in his four years with the program thus far. This is by far the most interesting situation for him yet.

At one point during the Big 12 slate, Texas basketball looked to have a good grasp on things. That quickly fell apart with the way this team is playing to round out the regular season. The overtime loss to the Baylor Bears in the last game for the Horns was a microcosm of the season so far.

Lucky though for Texas basketball, it seems like the team is still within the bubble for Selection Sunday. ESPN’s Bracketology still has the Horns as a nine seed facing up against the Auburn Tigers.

There are only a few final chances this Horns team will have until the NCAA Tournament and Selection Sunday time arrive. Just three games remain during this dwindling regular season slate for Texas basketball. Two of those three games do at least come at home.

The first of the three chances comes on March 3 at the Frank Erwin Events Center against the Iowa State Cyclones. And, the only ranked opponent the Horns have left on the regular season slate is a showdown with the rival No. 11 Texas Tech Red Raiders on March 4. Everything rounds out with the TCU Horned Frogs at home on March 9.

After these final three games, it will then be time for the Big 12 Tournament. That could be the most pivotal time yet for Smart during his tenure on the Forty Acres. If Smart comes up short in the Big 12 Tournament and doesn’t even win a single game, his days with the Horns are likely to be numbered.

Next. Why a spot in the NCAA Tournament isn't guaranteed for Longhorns. dark

Texas had some big time moments during this nice regular season run. The issue is that all of those moments were quickly followed by more disappointment than anything. Texas will try to shake the disappointment of losing three of its last four games by winning at least two of three to round out the regular season.

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