Bevo’s Daily Roundup: Analysts: Texas HC Shaka Smart to blame for loss

Texas Longhorns men’s basketball coach Shaka Smart is on the hot seat after an upset loss to the Abilene Christian Wildcats in the opening round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

In fact, the talking head crowd has already begun calling for his firing.

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, for example, said this over the weekend: “Going into the first-round game, none of these teams [that were upset] could say they didn’t have time to prepare. They had time to prepare ... If this was a second game, then maybe they didn’t have time. Texas had plenty of time to prepare. And they played teams that press before, that get up into them and all of that. They turned it over 23 times. They gave up 18 offensive rebounds, and they gave up 27 more shot attempts to Abilene Christian. ... That’s not an art thing. That’s a ‘getting your butt kicked’ thing. Maybe they got fouled at the end, but they did not do what it takes to win in that game. They put themselves in that position.”

The Action Network analyst Darren Rovell followed up, saying, “There are very few losses in sports that lead to an immediate firing. Texas losing to Abilene Christian has to be one of them.”

WHAT THE WISE MEN ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS

Austin American-Statesman: Golden: Shaka watch back on after tourney loss

Austin American-Statesman: Bohls: Longhorns’ loss puts Smart’s job at risk

Austin American-Statesman: Her future set, Collier eyes on her Texas finale

Dallas Morning News: ‘Madness’: National reaction to Texas Longhorns’ 53–52 upset loss to Abilene Christian in the NCAA Tournament

Dallas Morning News: ‘Extremely disappointing’: Texas coach Shaka Smart laments season-ending loss to Abilene Christian

Dallas Morning News: Takeaways: Longhorns upset by Abilene Christian in first round of NCAA Tournament, 53-52

247Sports: Morning Brew: Smart’s future at Texas in question

Inside Texas: Inside Scoop: Unofficial spring start, Texas pushing for Ross’ commitment, Shaka Smart

Inside Texas: Burton: Finding the leader

Inside Texas: Shaka’s no spin Longhorn resume

ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION

No. 3 seed Texas falls to No. 14 seed Abilene Christian, 53-52, on late free throws

How Texas lost its second-half lead against Abilene Christian

Texas upset in first round of NCAA Tournament: Post-game commiseration thread

No. 10 Texas holds off Baylor in 4-3 win to take series

Big inning early and big pitches late help No. 10 Texas hold on to 5-3 win over Baylor

RECRUITING ROUNDUP

Burnt Orange Nation: Texas QB commit Maalik Murphy picks up first win of the season

247Sports: The Stampede: Checking the temperature of prospects out west

247Sports: Maalik Murphy discusses junior season, official visit plans

247Sports: Top247 OL Earnest Greene breaks down his final 10

247Sports: TreVonte’ Citizen details recruitment, contact with Texas

BIG 12 BREAKDOWN

Our Daily Bears: How Matthew Mayer made more plays than Shakespeare to help Baylor make another Sweet 16

Our Daily Bears: Baylor advances to the Sweet Sixteen over Wisconsin 76-63

Our Daily Bears: A defensive renaissance l.eads Baylor to NCAA Second Round with 79-55 win over Hartford

Viva the Matadors: Texas Tech opens Big 12 play with a tough matchup against Oklahoma State

Frogs O’ War: Austin Krob, home runs lead TCU to 13-4 bounceback win over Louisiana

Frogs O’ War: Here’s Johnny! Frogs’ Ray powers TCU baseball to series sealing, 5-1 win over Louisiana

Crimson and Cream Machine: Sooners send Missouri home with a 72-68 win

Cowboys Ride For Free: March Madness: Oklahoma State advances with 69-60 win over Liberty

The Smoking Musket: Zoned Out: West Virginia exits NCAA Tournament with upset loss to Syracuse

Rock Chalk Talk: USC preview

WHAT WE’RE READING

SB Nation: Oral Roberts stuns Florida, continues magical run into Sweet 16

SB Nation: The Texans used free agency to become an even bigger dumpster fire

NEWS ACROSS THE FORTY ACRES AND BEYOND

• Texas softball swept the New Mexico Lobos over the weekend.