Texas Basketball: 3 players that will be crucial x-factors down the stretch

It is go time for No. 13 ranked Texas basketball down the stretch this season as the Big 12 slate is starting to wind down. Head coach Shaka Smart and his talented and deep Texas squad don’t have that many more chances to make headway in both major polls, and in the eyes of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, before Selection Sunday arrives.

Even before the time of Selection Sunday arrives for Smart and the Longhorns, they need to get things right for the Big 12 Tournament. A recent downtrodden stretch of play for the Longhorns in the midst of the Big 12 slate isn’t indicative of many positive results ahead once it’s conference tournament time.

However, there’s a prime opportunity ahead in the next five days for Texas to get it right in Big 12 play. On Feb. 13, Texas faces head coach Jamie Dixon and the TCU Horned Frogs as they look to get back on the right side of the win column for good. After taking on the Horned Frogs this weekend, Texas hits the road to take on the rival Oklahoma Sooners in Norman in the biannual Red River Rivalry game on the hardwood.

Texas now boasts a record of 12-5 (6-4 Big 12), following their win over the Kansas State Wildcats on the road in Manhattan back on Feb. 9. That win over Kansas State helped to snap a three-game losing streak for the Longhorns. Continuing to get back on track against the Horned Frogs this weekend will be crucial.

With that in mind, here’s a deeper look into three Longhorns players that are x-factors for them down the stretch this season.