Texas Longhorns: Level Of Play Is On Par With The Best

The Texas Longhorns may not be a top team in the Big 12, but they’re playing with energy against their in-conference opponents.

The Texas Longhorns have been exceeding expectations without their star center, Cameron Ridley, but even as an over-achieving team, they still find themselves packed into the middle of the Big 12 standings.

However, after playing the five teams ahead of them in the standings, they have battled and managed to win a few. That has earned them the title of being the No. 24 team in the nation, one of six Big 12 teams that are currently ranked.

Let’s take a quick look at how they got there.

First, against No. 25 Baylor, the Longhorns got a big boost from forward Connor Lammert, who had 15 points. Baylor is one team that Texas has had some exciting and emotional contests with in the past and this time around was no different as players such as Prince Ibeh and Rico Gathers, each team’s respective big men, were physical all night long. After a long grind and a close call in the final minutes, the Longhorns pulled away to complete the upset.

No. 13 Iowa State has completed their two-game series with Texas this season with a split. In their first matchup, the Longhorns took the Cyclones the distance before finally finishing them off in a 94-91 OT thriller. In the next matchup, it was the Longhorns who received the short end of the stick as they stayed close all game before falling 85-75 after a late run in the final minutes.

No. 10 West Virginia was No. 6 when Texas upset them in January. Led by 17 points from Javan Felix, the Longhorns pulled away late to seal the deal in WVU Coliseum.

No. 3 Oklahoma was tested by Texas during their first meeting of the season. After trailing for the majority of the game, OU came back in the final minutes and a questionable foul call on Isaiah Taylor with just 17 seconds left set up Buddy Hield for the game-winning three.

No. 2 Kansas has been the best team in the Big 12 all season long and they have solidified that by beating OU twice, but the Longhorns gave them a scare in Allen Fieldhouse. After going up by seven early in the second half, the Jayhawks proved to be too much for Texas, eventually capturing a 76-67 victory.

The Longhorns have not won every single game they have played in the Big 12, but they are taking care of business against the teams that they should be beating and they are staying competitive, even giving themselves chances at wins, against some of the best of the best.

That’s one thing that they have not been able to do in past seasons. For example, in 2014-15, they had just two wins against ranked Big 12 teams. They have three this season with four more big games on the schedule.

One reason for better results this season has been Shaka Smart’s unique coaching style. He has incorporated many new elements into the Longhorns’ game such as a tighter defense and he’s brought out the best in some players, like Prince Ibeh and Shaq Cleare, who have been holding down the fort with Cameron Ridley out.

Next: Longhorns' Ex-Center Myles Turner Has Bright Future

Though they may not be the the best team in the Big 12, the Texas Longhorns have played at a high level against some of the teams expected to play deep into March. One thing is for sure: they will be a tough out once the tournament comes around.