Texas Basketball: 3 reasons Longhorns will reach the 2023 Final Four

Texas can win by playing many different styles

The final reason the Texas Longhorns are a threat to reach the Final Four is their ability to win games in a variety of ways. Texas is comfortable playing at different paces which makes them difficult to prepare for, they’re comfortable if you want to make the game a track meet and equally as comfortable if their opponents want to play a halfcourt slugfest reminiscent of Big Ten football.

Throughout the year Texas has scored over 80 points 12 times and in the 60s five times. Even though they are more comfortable playing at a faster pace, ranking 91st in tempo and 53rd in average possession length, they can slow it down if they have to.

This was never more evident than in back-to-back games in early January when they lost 116-103 to Kansas State in a game that saw both teams shoot over 50% and 40% from three-point land. Four days later they traveled to Stillwater and beat Oklahoma State 56-46 in a game that saw the two teams combine for 33 turnovers and 31 field goals.

That versatility will come in handy in the Midwest with some slower-paced teams at the bottom of the bracket and some teams that like to run a bit more up top.