AUSTIN, Texas — For the second time this season, the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies went to war on the court until the final whistle, and in a repeat of their most recent matchup, the Longhorns ended up on the winning side.
The No. 12 seeded Texas Longhorns topped the No. 5 seed Texas A&M Aggies 94-89 in the second round of the SEC Tournament on Thursday.
Freshman Tre Johnson led the Longhorns with 20 points, while all five Longhorns starters finished in double figures. Senior Wade Taylor IV paced the Aggies with 29 points.
While the win only officially allows the Longhorns to advance to the next round of the SEC Tournament, in practicality it may serve as a decisive win for the Longhorns’ overall NCAA Tournament hopes.
Bracketologist Joe Lunardi said on Wednesday that he believed a win over Texas A&M would probably make the Longhorns feel “comfortable” about their hopes of making the NCAA Tournament.
The only way to qualify for the NCAA Tournament prior to Selection Sunday would be if the Longhorns won the SEC Tournament, which takes place Sunday at noon.
Next up, the Longhorns will take part in yet another rivalry game, albeit of a different kind, as they face No. 4 seed Tennessee and former Longhorns head coach Rick Barnes. That game will take place Friday afternoon in Nashville.