Texas, Oklahoma Aim to Boost NCAA Tournament Resumes

The Longhorns and Sooners face off in a regular-season finale with postseason implications.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Texas and Oklahoma will look to improve their chances for an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament when they play their respective regular-season finales on Saturday in Austin, Texas. The Longhorns (18-12, 9-8 SEC) are the more likely team to earn the berth, while the Sooners (16-14, 6-11) have put themselves back into the conversation with three straight wins and five victories in their past seven games. Both teams will likely play in the first round of the SEC tournament, with Texas potentially earning a bye to the second round if it beats Oklahoma and receives help elsewhere.

Why it matters

This matchup between the two in-state rivals has major implications for their NCAA Tournament hopes, as both teams look to bolster their resumes heading into the postseason. Texas is projected to be one of 11 SEC teams to make the 68-team field, while Oklahoma has worked its way back into the conversation with a late-season surge.

The details

Texas is coming off a 105-85 loss at No. 20 Arkansas, in which it allowed a season-high in points, field goals made, and 3-point percentage. The Longhorns have dropped three of their past four games. Oklahoma, meanwhile, is riding a three-game winning streak and has won five of its past seven after a slow start to the season.

  • The teams will play their regular-season finales on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
  • The SEC tournament will take place in the days following the regular-season finale.

The players

Sean Miller

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns.

Parker Moser

The head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners.

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What they’re saying

“There's so much that's going to happen in the next 24 hours, next 48 hours, and then once we know that tournament, then I think you take it for what it is. So much of it is for us to just be at our best against Oklahoma and finish where we're at.”

— Sean Miller, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns (statenews.net)

“It's a struggle at this level, not playing well, losing tough games. But you have a choice. You either give in to it, be a victim of it, or you stay together with your faith, with each guy, with what you can do to get better. These guys have done that. ... We've got to keep believing in a path.”

— Parker Moser, Head Coach, Oklahoma Sooners (statenews.net)

What’s next

The teams will face off in their regular-season finale on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Austin, Texas. The outcome of this game, as well as other conference results, will determine the seeding for the upcoming SEC tournament.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners is a crucial one for both teams' NCAA Tournament hopes. With Texas projected to be one of 11 SEC teams in the field and Oklahoma working its way back into the conversation, the winner of this game will take a significant step towards securing an at-large bid.