Texas Two Step

The state of Texas is sending seven teams to the NCAA Tournament, tying the record that was set by California in 2002.

At least one team from the Lone Star State is guaranteed to advance to the second round as Baylor will play Southland Conference champion Sam Houston St. But beside one of them, it is very possible that the rest of the Texas teams could be eliminated in time for the second round.

Fifth-seeded Texas A&M in the South Regional begins the tournament against Utah State. If there is one team that is capable of making a little run, it is the Aggies who should stroll into the Sweet 16 where they would have a home-court advantage in Houston’s Reliant Stadium. But a likely matchup with Duke could turn into trouble for the Aggies who have struggled from long distance this year.

Eighth-seeded Texas in the East Regional enters the tournament with a big question mark. The team has fallen off and become only the second team to be the top-ranked team earlier in the season and end up being an eight seed or lower. Damion James has to take over if the Longhorns have any chance of advancing in the tournament. Longhorn fans may prematurely looking ahead to Kentucky, but cannot forget that Wake Forest is no walk in the park.

12th-seeded UTEP in the West Regional begins the NCAA Tournament against another mid-major team in Butler. The Miners are coming off of a disappointing loss in the C-USA finals to the Houston, but have what it takes to be a bracket buster and pull off an upset or two. UTEP has good size and an aggressive nature that should worry future opponents. The Miners just need to make sure they don’t let leads slip away and commit stupid turnovers.

13th-seeded Houston is in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1992. The Cougars will face Maryland in the first round in the Midwest regional. Although Maryland has not been very consistant on the season, the Cougars have not either. They showed they can win without the nation’s leading scorer Aubrey Coleman who struggled in the C-USA championship on Saturday, but Maryland and Greivis Vasquez should make it a quick trip to Spokane for the Cougars.

The Mean Green of North Texas enters the tournament for the second consecutive year. This year they will have a chance to shock the world as a 15th seed against Kansas State in the West Regional. The Sun Belt Champions will be well rested for the Wildcats, but should not cause much of a probably for Frank Martin’s squad. The Mean Green have four players who average at least 10 points, but do not have the size and athleticism that the Wildcats bring into the tournament.

But then again, it is March and anything is possible.