Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: 10 questions looming for the 2021-22 season

By Jerran Anderson

Apr 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew talks with guard Jared Butler (12) and guard Davion Mitchell (45) and forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (23) and guard Mark Vital (11) during the first half against the Houston Cougars in the national semifinals of the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew talks with guard Jared Butler (12) and guard Davion Mitchell (45) and forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (23) and guard Mark Vital (11) during the first half against the Houston Cougars in the national semifinals of the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chris Beard Big 12 Basketball Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Beard Big 12 Basketball Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Can Chris Beard turn things around for the Longhorns?

Shaka Smart made a jump to the Marquette Golden Eagles, far removed from his post as Texas Longhorns’ head coach following their first-round upset against No. 14-seed Abilene Christian in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Fresh off their first Big 12 Tournament Championship, the Longhorns fell short of expectations and Smart made a business move, albeit what was best for him.

Now, Chris Beard takes over looking to turn things around. Despite going 109-86 in the last six seasons, the Longhorns went 0-3 in their three NCAA Tournament appearances under Smart. Beard, on the other hand, has seen two Sweet Sixteens and a Final Four with the Texas Tech Red Raiders in five seasons in charge.

The 2018-19 season was the first time in team history that Texas Tech made it to the Final Four and over the past five seasons, Beard has led them to a 112-55 record (.671). He’s got quite the resume built already in the Big 12 which made his hire a no-brainer, but can he turn things around in Austin?

The Longhorns haven’t been the same since the legendary Rick Barnes was fired in 2015. Barnes took Texas to the NCAA Tournament in 16 of his 17 seasons as head coach with an appearance in the Final Four in 2003, Elite Eight appearances in 2006 and 2008 and their first-ever No. 1 ranking in 2010.

Beard will have big shoes to fill with high expectations given his predecessor. The 2021-22 season should set the tone for the rest of his tenure.

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