Texas men’s basketball:

Christina Huang, Sports Editor

If everything goes well, then I think Texas could make its second appearance in the Final Four. The Longhorns have one of the best backcourts in the country, and having such a high-level scorer like Sir’Jabari Rice come off the bench is priceless. The combined experience of this team will serve it well as we enter the most exciting stretch of the college basketball season. If the Texas team that beat Kansas on Senior Night shows up at the NCAA Tournament, then the Longhorns will be unstoppable. 

Matthew Caldwell, Associate Sports Editor

I have Texas making it to the Elite Eight. I think the team has the experience necessary to make a deep run this year with guys like Marcus Carr, Timmy Allen and Sir’Jabari Rice leading the charge. With five seniors who are one loss away from their college careers coming to a close, the Longhorns will be playing with passion. I believe Texas can beat any team in the country, but it has yet to string together four to five solid wins since nonconference play. However, I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if Texas made it to Houston.

Payne Williams, Sports Desk Editor

 I’ve got Texas marked to the Sweet 16, which I think is a successful mark of this season. While the Longhorns have the ceiling to go further, I think their road struggles will catch up to them as they go deeper in the tournament. However, Texas’ experience and seniority behind Marcus Carr, Timmy Allen and Sir’Jabari Rice could prove me wrong. Tyrese Hunter has also heated up as of late, and if Texas can keep its foot on the pedal after last week’s win over Kansas, an Elite Eight or Final Four appearance isn’t out of the question for Rodney Terry’s squad.

Texas women’s basketball:

Mantra Dave, Managing Editor 

Mark me down for Texas to the Elite Eight. After a tough start in nonconference play and a season-ending injury to forward Aaliyah Moore, the Horns have recovered adeptly in Big 12 play. The co-Big 12 champions are a dark horse in the NCAA tournament, especially if they host the first two rounds in Austin. Rori Harmon is as disruptive of a backcourt presence as anyone in the nation, and the emergence of DeYona Gaston in the post gives Texas a new weapon down low. Depending on the matchup, I could even see Vic Schafer’s Horns making it all the way to Dallas.

Emma Hutchinson, Senior Sports Reporter 

I believe Texas women’s basketball can and will make it to the Elite Eight again. With all of the inconsistencies the team has faced this season, they have kept their heads above water and stayed humble through it all. The amount of chemistry between the players that is clearly visible on the court is inspiring when you account for the amount of transfers and underclassmen that are in the mix. Shaylee Gonzales, DeYona Gaston, and Rori Harmon have been the dream team this season, and I have no doubt that they’ll continue to lead the Longhorns against any opponent in that bracket.        

Lindsey Plotkin, General Sports Reporter 

I think Texas women’s basketball is capable of making it to the Final Four. The team has made it to two straight Elite Eights and now have the experience to make it further. The Big 12 Champions have shown that when they play with consistency, the team can overcome any obstacle that comes their way. Rori Harmon, Shaylee Gonzales, DeYona Gaston and Taylor Jones are just some of the players that have consistently proven themselves on the court and if the team plays to its highest ability, its defense is unbeatable. Harmon’s full court defense is like no one else’s and the rest of Texas’ defense has shown that it can hold high scoring teams to well below their scoring averages.