Texas Basketball: 3 likely Tournament opponents on Selection Sunday

South Dakota State

One of the most underrated potential opponents that could be on tap for Beard and the Longhorns in the Round of 64 for the NCAA Tournament is the reigning Summit League Champion South Dakota State Jackrabbits. This team is red hot of late, riding a whopping 21-game winning streak heading into the NCAA Tournament.

There aren’t many non-major conference schools that Texas could face in the Round of 64 that would come into the Big Dance with more confidence and momentum. South Dakota State just made it through their Summit League slate in the regular season and the Summit League Tournament unscathed. That gives the Jackrabbits a record of 30-4 (18-0 Summit League) heading into Selection Sunday.

If it were up to me, I would prefer for the Longhorns to avoid facing an upset-minded team that comes into March Madness with a ton of confidence in the Round of 64 such as South Dakota State. But with the Jackrabbits likely getting a 12-seed on Selection Sunday, Texas could very realistically face them in their first NCAA Tournament game if Beard’s squad gets a five-seed.

What would keep Texas from facing South Dakota State in all likelihood in the Round of 64 would be if the Jackrabbits somehow landed a 13-seed on Selection Sunday.

Granted, the pre-conference title game update from ESPN’s Lunardi on Bracketology had the 12-seed South Dakota State slotted to face the five-seed Texas. That probably wouldn’t be the most ideal scenario for Texas in the Round of 64.