Texas basketball will play Virginia or Colorado State. What to know about both teams
The Texas basketball team knows where it'll play and when it'll play.
But who will Texas play? The Longhorns will find out Tuesday evening, when Virginia and Colorado State face off in a First Four game in Dayton, Ohio. The winner will claim the No. 10 seed in the Midwest Region and advance to a first-round game against Texas Thursday at 5:50 p.m. in Charlotte, N.C.
More: Why Texas can reach Elite Eight in our 2024 March Madness bracket predictions
Colorado State opens as a 1.5-point favorite to advance.
Let’s take a quick look at both teams.
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Colorado State: Powered by a Texan at point
Colorado State (24-10) was seen as a No. 8 or No. 9 seed prior to Selection Sunday, but a loss to New Mexico in the semifinals of the Mountain West Tournament seemed to drop the Rams into the First Four. They’re making a second NCAA Tournament appearance in the past three seasons, and they haven’t shied away from tough competition. They beat No. 8 Creighton 69-48 early in the season and also have wins over Boston College, Saint Mary’s and Washington. Graduate student Isaiah Stevens, who led Allen High School to a Class 6A state championship in 2018, gives Colorado State one of the most experienced and productive point guards in the nation and averages 16.5 points and seven assists.
More: Texas basketball is on a NCAA Tournament collision course with Rick Barnes' Tennessee Vols
Virginia: Defense rules for ACC power
Out of the ACC, Virginia (23-10) was considered a bubble team, especially after a loss to North Carolina State in the ACC quarterfinals. But a challenging schedule and a rock-solid defense lifted the Cavaliers into a First Four game. Guard Reece Beekman (14.3 points, 6.3 assists) paces the team, and defense helped secure a third-place finish in the ACC. Virginia, which won the national championship in 2019, ranks third in the nation with 59.5 points allowed a game.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Longhorns vs. Virginia or Colorado State. What to know about both.
