NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Texas basketball came to the SEC Tournament knowing it needed at least two wins to make a strong case for at least an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
But after dispatching 13th-seeded Vanderbilt and fifth-seeded Texas A&M in their first two games, the Longhorns (19-14) suddenly have higher hopes. With yet another victory in an SEC quarterfinal game against fourth-seeded Tennessee, they would start worrying more about seeding than selection when it comes to the NCAA Tournament’s selection show on Sunday.
The No. 8 Volunteers (25-6) will offer the sternest test yet for Texas, especially in their backyard on Broadway. Tennessee ended the Longhorns’ season a year ago in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and the Vols worked over Texas on the boards in a 74-70 win in Austin earlier this season.
But Texas looks like a different team entering its third SEC Tournament game in three days (2:45 p.m. Friday, ESPN, 1300/98.1).
Follow below for updates from Texas vs. Tennessee.
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Texas vs Tennessee score updates
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More: SEC tournament predictions: Completed bracket, men’s basketball title-game picks
Halftime: Tennessee 41, Texas 38
Tramon Mark drops in a teardrop at the buzzer to cap an entertaining first half. Chaz Lanier has 19 for Tennesse to pace all players while Texas leans on a balanced attack that includes seven plays in the scorebook and 55.6% shooting.
1:04 1H: Tennessee 39, Texas 36
Big 3 from Jordan Pope, and Texas is trying to finish the first half on a spurt.
2:57 1H: Tennessee 37, Texas 33
Tre Johnson drains a 3-pointer and the Longhorns are shooting 54.2% from the floor. The bench has been big again for Texas, with six points from Jayson Kent. But the defense has to figure out a Vol offense that’s 14-of-25 from the field.
7:18 1H: Tennessee 28, Texas 22
The Longhorns are dicing up the vaunted Tennessee defense, and they must like the pace. Texas is shooting 50% from the floor with six players already in the scorebook. Now, if they could just slow Chaz Lanier (17 points) and get some stops on the other end.
11:51 1H: Tennessee 18, Texas 14
The Longhorns are going to have to figure out Chaz Lanier, the Vols’ leading scorer. He has 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Julian Larry checks into the game for the first time to try and guard him, but he quickly fouls the Tennessee sharpshooter. By the way, Mark is back for Texas after an early tumble.
14:38 1H: Tennessee 11, Texas 7
As expected, tough sledding for Texas early against the SEC’s best defense. The Longhorns are just 3-for-8 early. Something to watch: Tramon Mark took a hard fall on his tailbone and checks out of the game 2 minutes later.
Texas vs Tennessee: Starters announced
Texas will start guards Jordan Pope, Tre Johnson and Tramon Mark alongside forward Arthur Kaluma and post Kadin Shedrick. It’s a familiar lineup for Longhorn fans. Johnson, the SEC’s freshman of the year and the conference’s leading scorer, is the focus of the Longhorn offense.
Tennessse will start all-SEC guards Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler, a dynamic offensive/defensive punch. Guard Jahmai Mashack, forward Igor Milicic Jr. and post Felix Okpara join them in the starting lineup.
Texas vs Tennessee time
Day: Friday
Start time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
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How to watch Texas vs Tennessee
TV channel: ESPN
Livestream: Fubo (free trial), ESPN+, SEC+
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