Texas Basketball: 5 takeaways amid NIT victory vs. Xavier

What did we learn from the NIT round two victory for Texas basketball over the stingy Xavier Musketeers in thrilling fashion?

The Texas basketball program is starting to get it done on a consistent basis at a frustrating time for the fan base. If only this team could’ve got it going when it mattered most down the stretch during the regular season and in the Big 12 Tournament against the Kansas Jayhawks. Nonetheless, at least this group is succeeding now.

For the first time during his coaching tenure with the program for four years thus far, head Texas basketball coach Shaka Smart has won a postseason game. Some Texas basketball fans might not consider that a “real” postseason win for the NIT, but this team is at least finally moving in the right direction to round out a disappointing 2018-19 campaign.

As a pretty significant favorite in the first two rounds of the NIT, Texas basketball got a difficult draw that featured the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and the Xavier Musketeers. The results for this season were ultimately disappointed for South Dakota State and Xavier to go along with this team.

However, Texas basketball entered this showdown against the Musketeers as a six-point favorite at home at the Frank Erwin Events Center. It was the second straight game were the Horns were favored by at least a margin of five points. And, the final score that came in the previous NIT matchup against South Dakota State favored the Horns 79-73.

Texas had similar fortunes as it reigned victorious over the Musketeers on March 24 by the final score of 78-76 in overtime. Here’s a look into the five definitive takeaways from the big NIT second round victory for the Texas Longhorns basketball program over Xavier.