Texas Basketball's NCAA Tournament Hopes Hang in Balance After Ole Miss Loss

Longhorns' postseason fate could be decided by other bubble teams' results

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Texas basketball faces an uncertain NCAA Tournament future after losing to Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament. The Longhorns, currently projected as a No. 10 seed, could find themselves in the dreaded "First Four" play-in round if they fail to pick up another win. CBS Sports' David Cobb explains that Texas' chances largely depend on how other bubble teams perform, with a potential bid thief from the MAC conference being a key factor.

Why it matters

Texas has been on the NCAA Tournament bubble all season, and a loss to Ole Miss puts their postseason hopes in jeopardy. The Longhorns are trying to make the Big Dance for the second straight year, but a poor showing in the SEC Tournament could relegate them to the "First Four" play-in games or potentially leave them out of the field entirely.

The details

Currently, Texas is projected as a No. 10 seed in the latest NCAA Tournament bracket, but a loss to Ole Miss could hurt their resume and drop them closer to the cut line. CBS Sports' David Cobb notes that the Longhorns' fate will depend on how other bubble teams perform, with a potential bid thief from the MAC conference being a key factor. Cobb says that while Texas should have some "padding" due to other bubble teams struggling, a loss to Ole Miss would still make the Longhorns nervous heading into Selection Sunday.

  • Texas faces Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament first round on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
  • Selection Sunday for the 2026 NCAA Tournament is scheduled for March 16, 2026.

The players

Texas Longhorns

The men's basketball team at the University of Texas, currently projected as a No. 10 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Ole Miss Rebels

The men's basketball team at the University of Mississippi, facing Texas in the SEC Tournament first round.

David Cobb

CBS Sports college basketball writer who provided analysis on Texas' NCAA Tournament chances.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Luckily for Texas, most of the other teams that are around the cut line right now are sort of struggling. Like, for example, you saw Stanford lose yesterday and bow out of the ACC tournament. That was a good thing for Texas. So was Virginia Tech losing in the ACC tournament. That was a good thing for Texas.”

— David Cobb, CBS Sports College Basketball Writer (247sports.com)

“Now, where I would be a little concerned with Texas is if there is a bid thief that comes out of the MAC. We know Miami (Ohio) is probably in at this point, but they're not even favored necessarily to win the MAC Tournament. If Akron or somebody else were to win the MAC Tournament, well now all of a sudden the MAC has two bids. Puts a little bit of a squeeze on the bubble, and with Texas backsliding a bit here as of late, you would still feel a little nervous going into Selection Sunday.”

— David Cobb, CBS Sports College Basketball Writer (247sports.com)

What’s next

The Longhorns will face Georgia in the SEC Tournament second round on Thursday, March 12, 2026 if they defeat Ole Miss. Their NCAA Tournament fate will be decided on Selection Sunday, March 16, 2026.

The takeaway

Texas' loss to Ole Miss has put their NCAA Tournament hopes in jeopardy, with the Longhorns now potentially facing a "First Four" play-in game or even missing the Big Dance entirely. Their postseason fate will largely depend on how other bubble teams perform in their respective conference tournaments, with a potential bid thief from the MAC conference being a key factor.