Fansided

College basketball: 5 dark horse contenders for the national championship

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 31, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) looks on against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Ducks won 91-74. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) looks on against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Ducks won 91-74. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart (C) reacts to a play against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart (C) reacts to a play against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Longhorns

Shaka Smart’s first season with the Longhorns has been full of ups-and-downs. Texas owns a win over North Carolina but dropped some other key nonconference games, and a loss to the TCU Horned Frogs near the start of Big 12 play raised plenty of concerns in regards to its NCAA Tournament hopes.

Since then, the Longhorns have won six of eight conference games, plus an easy victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores. That’s an impressive stretch in the Big 12 against anyone,  and Texas’ hot streak includes road wins over the West Virginia Mountaineers and Baylor Bears, plus a home victory against the Iowa State Cyclones.

Texas had a shot to really enter the national conversation with a road win over Oklahoma on Monday, but fell just short thanks to Buddy Hield’s heroics. Nevertheless, the Longhorns looks like a threat to go deep in March if they keep playing at their current level.

Former coach Rick Barnes had his faults, but he certainly didn’t leave the cupboard bare for Smart. Isaiah Taylor, Javan Felix and Prince Ibeh are all talented, experienced players making their mark on the Longhorns this season.

While Smart can’t run his preferred “Havoc” system without his own recruits, he’s doing a great job of maximizing Texas’ existing talent. If highly-touted freshman Tevin Mack can start shooting to his full ability, watch out for the Longhorns.

The interesting thing to watch for Texas will be when center Cameron Ridley returns from a foot injury that’s kept him out since late December. Ridley can be an absolute force down low at 285 pounds and is second on the team in scoring, but it’s fair to say the Longhorns have been playing pretty well without him.

In any case, the Longhorns should trust Smart to figure out what’s best for his team. The Longhorns have showed they can hang with even the best in the Big 12, making them a legitimate Final Four threat.

Next: Providence Friars