Expect Big Things Under Herman In 2018

The basketball team plays the Bears on Saturday. A win will help the Horns’ post-season path.

What record will it take to get Texas into the NCAA Tournament?

Assuming the Longhorns take care of business in the final non-conference game of the season, a Jan. 27 home game against Ole Miss in the Big 12/SEC Challenge, an 8-10 league record could get the job done. A 19-14 mark entering the Big 12 tournament in a conference that top to bottom has to be considered the toughest in America (along with a neutral site victory over Butler and road win over Alabama) is a tournament-worthy resume.

What are Texas’ strong points against Big opponents?

This Texas basketball team is loaded. It has a Big Three that can light it up - C Mohamed Bamba, PF Dylan Osetkowski and G Andrew Jones - and Shaka Smart finally has G Kerwin Roach buying into becoming the Longhorns’ defensive eraser. When those four are committed to their roles, Texas has shown it can compete with the likes of Duke and Gonzaga.

Texas guard Andrew Jones is battling a mysterious illness.

Is the Tech men’s basketball team the real deal?

Is Texas primed for a big leap next season under Tom Herman?

The Year 2 leap is a real thing. You saw it this season with Georgia, Miami and UCF. Almost 20 years ago, Bob Stoops won a national title in his second season after taking over a program stuck in neutral at Oklahoma. Pete Carroll went from 6-6 at USC to 11-2. Nick Saban jumped from 7-6 to 12-2. So why not Tom Herman at Texas? You know it will be expected in Austin, what with Herman’s culture in place and a bowl victory that pushed Texas to its best finish since 2013. The Longhorns have taken a hit with five early departures to the draft, headlined by offensive tackle Connor Williams, linebacker Malik Jefferson and, of course, irreplaceable punter Michael Dickson. Elsewhere, that exodus would create some pause. But not at Texas, which would be well served to find some definition at quarterback, where Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger split time in 2017.

Michael Dickson made the AP 2017 All-Bowl Team.

How did Kirby Smart get Georgia so far, so fast?

Atlanta is now the home of college football.

The debate is over. Nick Saban is the greatest coach of all time in college football.