Is It Time For Jonah Williams To Pick One Sport

Jonah Williams’ shoulder surgery forces Texas to rethink what a five-star two-sport plan can realistically look like, and it sparks a blunt debate about whether he should finally choose baseball or football. We also preview Texas vs NC State in the First Four and react to a bold Jay Bilas pick that has the Longhorns making a surprising March Madness run. 

• Jonah Williams out for season after shoulder injury and surgery 
• Two-sport reality check and why picking one sport may be necessary 
• Baseball money vs football development and health risk 
• How missing spring practice impacts a safety in a new defense 
• Social media criticism and Jonah’s own reactions online 
• Texas roster depth at safety and why both teams can survive the loss 
• Texas barely making the NCAA tournament via the First Four 
• Texas vs NC State preview including prior matchup and key stats 
• Why defense decides the game for two offense-first teams 
• Jay Bilas projecting Texas to the Sweet 16 and what would need to break right 
• Measuring success for Year 1 under Sean Miller 
• Bigger program issue around portal scouting and player acquisition investment 

Please make sure to like, subscribe, and rate our podcast and comment down below on YouTube to let us know your thoughts. We are on every major podcast platform, so just find your favorite one and you will find us there. 

Transcript

Jonah Williams Shoulder Injury Fallout

SPEAKER_01 0:02

It might be time for Jonah Williams to just well take a score.

SPEAKER_03 0:34

Longhorn nature.

SPEAKER_01 0:42

Welcome into another edition of the Texas Longhorns on SI podcast. I'm your host, Matt Galaxen, and joining me as always is my co-host, Zach Demitt. Zach, we're going to get into March Madness in the two second two segments of the second and third segments of the show. But I want to start off today with uh some unfortunate news for both Texas baseball and Texas football that hit them pretty hard uh on on uh on Monday. Uh according to a release from the University of Texas Athletic Department, Jonah Williams uh injured his shoulder and it will require surgery uh while he was diving to make a play for a baseball. Uh and he will miss the remainder of the baseball season. And by proxy, uh, there is no shot that he will be involved in spring football either. I mean, he was going to be playing baseball this whole time, so he wasn't gonna be involved anyway, but uh it it's it's really an unfortunate blow for both sides. Uh number one for baseball, because he was a hell of a player. He was hitting over 300, and you know, I'm not a big baseball guy, so we're not gonna get too into his baseball impact uh in terms of what he does on the field, but obviously he's an athletic specimen, he's a freak, he's one of the best players on the team. And um, you know, also it it hurts in football because not only is he knocked out for the baseball season, but he can't be involved really in football in any way, shape, or form outside of like maybe the film room uh because he's going to be recovering and all those things. Of course, he's he is reportedly going to be ready by the start of the 2026 season and perhaps fall camp. But uh it brings up the question, Zach, and one that I wanted to pose to you uh and to our fans who you know comment your opinion below.

Should He Choose Baseball Or Football

SPEAKER_01 2:24

But is it time for Jonah Williams to just pick a sport already? Like it's it's been two years of Texas having a five-star safety and a five-star baseball prospect, and he hasn't been able to finish really uh with both sports in in either capacity because of injury or uh because of interference from one or the other. So it's like it it I think that at this point in time, like if you want to be a football player if you're Jonah Williams, you can't have stuff like this happen. You have to focus on football, you have to focus on your health, you have to focus on improving your body. And likewise on the baseball front, you you can't have like if you want to pursue baseball for a career, you can't be playing football in the fall because you that the same thing could happen, and it could it could put your baseball draft stock or your baseball uh your baseball future in jeopardy. So I say the answer is yes. Obviously, selfishly, I'm going to pick football because I watch it a hell of a lot more, and it's it's what you know the majority of us watch, I believe. I don't think that that's a hot take. Uh, I I do think that he has a chance to earn more money playing baseball because there is stupid money in baseball these days. But, you know, it it for me, pick one. I prefer football, but just make your decision, young man.

SPEAKER_02 3:42

Yeah, I think you kind of hit the nail on the head there when it comes to uh you know which cho uh sport he should choose, because baseball actually has a better path for more money. And you know, of course we'd love to see him in football, but you know, if I were really good at either sport uh or at most sports, I should say, I'm probably choosing baseball because uh MLB players are filthy rich and it takes a while to get up to that.

SPEAKER_01 4:09

A lot less CTE, too.

SPEAKER_02 4:10

Right, and there's less injury. Uh, I mean you have longer careers. Baseball is, in my opinion, a much better path if you have the option to do that. Um, but like you said, I agree selfishly. I would like to see him contribute on you know the football side of things, but it's just kind of a a weird situation for Texas fans. We've seen guys in the past be able to play multiple sports. Um, but when it comes to Texas, I don't think this is kind of a you know a new thing for a lot of fans seeing you know Jenna Williams how how his injury is kind of impacting both sports at the same time. Of course, football is not in season, but spring practice is a big deal. Um, and especially when it comes to the team building chemistry and figuring out what to do with depth. And if you know, if Williams is out for you know extended time until the fall, that could impact potentially the way he's able to catch up on things. Uh, because uh you know, after all, it is a new defense under Will Muschamp. So it's not like it's gonna be super easy to grasp grasp right away. Um if he's just on the sideline, you know, you learn a lot quicker when you're on the field, and he won't really have a chance to do that for a couple months now. So um yeah, just uh definitely a an unfortunate situation, you know. I I feel for him because uh on social media a lot of people are already saying that he's been making a mistake with uh some of his choices about not picking a sport. And I think you know, he's just a college kid, it's probably tough to hear some of those things um because he he's passionate about both, he's good at both. If you're playing collegiate um football and collegiate baseball at the same time, you are a one-of-one you know athlete. And now there's millions of people who wish they could at least play one and you're doing both. And so um, you know, I'm I'm glad he's pursuing his passions, but I know it's probably hard to hear uh some of the criticisms from people about uh you know picking one or the other and making that choice. And so we'll have to sit wait and see what happens. I do think that uh if he is gonna make a decision, it probably wouldn't come until after the football season, because there's no reason for him to say, you know, which one he's gonna do right now. There's just no point. So maybe after the football season, because we know he'll probably play then, you know, he can make that decision. But it's it's really tough. Uh, and I feel for him, um, you know, and I and I feel for the Texas fans also that I have been really excited to see what he can offer. But yeah, you're gonna you're gonna have to pick one, in my opinion, uh, regardless of what that is, because uh your impact uh is gonna be much stronger if you pick one where you're kind of spread thin if you're doing both at the same time. So uh we've got to wait and see what happens with this. It's still a long ways away until he's able to probably take the field. So it's still uh something that we're gonna have to be following over the next couple months.

Online Criticism And Jonah’s Response

SPEAKER_01 7:02

Yeah, absolutely. And it seems like he's having some fun with it uh with all the noise online because like uh you know some people have mentioned him on Twitter. Uh Zach Barnett from Football Scoop um didn't mention didn't like tag him or whatever, but he's he he tweeted uh the five-star safety's attempts to be a two-sport athlete have so far turned him into a zero sport athlete. Yeah. And Jonah retweeted it. Uh and you know, he's he's you know, he he's retweeting some some you know some things like that. He's responding to people. Um one tweet from CJ Vogel read uh Jonah Williams' last four semesters of athletics have been shortened due to injuries. Senior season football, he broke his collarbone. Freshman uh football and baseball, he had a hamstring issue, and now sophomore baseball season, he uh he's had a shoulder issue issue. Uh Williams is an athlete is an elite prospect in both sports, but it's probably time to pick one before four years pass, and we've seen him uh full time in neither. And Jonah responded with a laughing face emoji. So he's he's like he gets it. I I think that he you know, after this injury, probably realizes like, yeah, I maybe I should pick one uh and stick to it. And whichever team he chooses, football or baseball, it's going to be a big blow to the other one. The fortunate thing for also for both teams, they have plenty of talent uh surrounding that roster, like Texas in the safety room on football. You know, they've got Zealas Hicks, they've got Gelani McDonald, they've got Derek Williams, uh, they've got Xavier Philsamy, they've got some young guys too. And uh baseball, you know, the they're still one of the most talented rosters in the country. And they're they're you know, they've only had one loss this season for a reason. So both will be okay, but both would really, really, really like to have him as well. So we'll see what he ends up deciding. Um, I would just really like to see him patrol in the middle of the field back there and just you know doing some Ronnie Lott stuff if he can do it in football. But that's just me. Uh, we'll see where it goes.

SPEAKER_02 9:07

And yeah, another quick note on that. Um, he's already burned his red shirt. Um, or he he he can see he uses red shirt, but he uh played in seven games this past year, so he didn't have the option to do that. Um, and so you know, kind of puts him in a weird, a weird situation there uh because you see some true freshmen being able to maybe utilize that red shirt and get another year of eligibility. But um, yeah, you know, seven games last year, so he was kind of uh in the rotation, you know, uh pretty uh significantly there, the back half to SEC play. So we'll just wait and see what happens when it comes to the rotation at safety.

SPEAKER_01 9:40

Yeah, and that medical red shirt is now out of the question, at least for uh for this year. Maybe he, you know, maybe something happens later down the line that he can utilize that, but we hope that it doesn't because he's a he's an elite prospect in both both sports. He's an MLB prospect,

How Texas Replaces Him

SPEAKER_01 9:56

he's an NFL prospect, he he can do it all. Uh so we'll just have to see where it goes. Let's take a let's take our first break real quick, Zach, because uh we have to uh get into Texas basketball, who by the the hair of their chinny chin chin made it into the NCAA tournament. We're gonna talk about that coming up next.

SPEAKER_00 10:16

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SPEAKER_00 10:17

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Texas Lands In The First Four

SPEAKER_01 11:11

I am Matt Golatson, your host. I'm joined by Zach Demont. Zach, Texas made it into the NCAA tournament, kinda. Uh they're in the first four, which I still consider borderline making it. I'm not really a big fan of uh the idea of the first four. I think that these teams should just get in. And I I technically I don't think that you're technically in the tournament until uh you know are in the field of 64. You know, the you win the first four and then you get in and you face whoever they would face in the next round, uh, which I believe would be BYU, if I'm not mistaken.

SPEAKER_02 11:45

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 11:45

But uh yeah, Texas takes the floor tonight at 8.15 on True TV against NC State. This will be the second time they have faced NC State this season, and the third time in the last two seasons, I believe. If uh I believe they faced them in the in the NCAA tournament last year. Uh regular season. According to ESPN, there is a regular season. Uh according to ESPN's matchup predictor, uh, Texas is a bit of a dog. Uh NC State has uh predicted a 50.2% chance to win the game, uh, and they are also favored by one and a half according to DraftKings, the over-under sitting at 158.5. Um, you know, Texas did beat them already this year. They won 102 to 97 um in that game. Jordan Pope had 28 points, and uh Dalen Swain had 14, Modus Volcatius had 13, Cam Heidi had 11, 17 and 8 off the bench from Kendall Weaver, and Simeon Wilcher with 12 points uh off the bench as well. Uh it was a great offensive outing for Texas. They scored, they they shot 56% from the floor, they were 50% from three, hitting 16 of 32, and uh they also are 85% from the line and out rebound at NC State. Uh the the chances that they're gonna have that much of a hot shooting night again, going 16 of 32 from three.

Texas Vs NC State Matchup Breakdown

SPEAKER_01 13:07

I don't know if that's you know feasible or realistic considering the way that they finished the season, but it does give you a little bit of confidence heading into this game that you know they do have a pretty good shot uh if they beat them once already this year. But it is hard to beat a team twice in the same season, as we all know, so we'll kind of have to see what happens. But uh, Zach, this is a NC team that you know won 20 games. Um they're currently you know uh sitting with a with a couple of decent wins. Uh if you know, they they they lost to Kansas by one point. Uh and you know, they they've had some, you know, they beat they beat Clemson, uh, they beat SMU who who ended up making the tournament. Um they also beat North Carolina. So they've got some decent, some decent, you know, stuff on their resume, and and it I don't know if they got better as the season went on, but this should be a tough test for Texas, regardless.

SPEAKER_02 14:02

Yeah, definitely. And you know, I'm kind of with you on the first four thing. Doesn't really count in my eyes, if if you're you know in the first four and you don't get anywhere past that, but this is technically a NCAA tournament appearance for Texas, and so it is what it is. You you take it for what it's worth. Uh last year they made the first four as well, and that technically counts as making the tournament. So uh, but I certainly think that Texas fans aren't gonna be happy if another loss in the first four happens tonight, like it did last season. Um and NC State is definitely dangerous. Uh, I think they have tons of talent. Um, so they're kind of in a similar spot to Texas, in my opinion. Both these teams really good offensively, really poor defensively. Both teams have uh some great individual talent across their roster, both have first-year head coaches um with their respective programs, and both teams did not finish the season strong at all. It's it's actually kind of eerily similar when it comes to both of these uh you know squads. And then you add on to the fact, like you mentioned, that they already played this season. Um, that was in Maui, of course. And um, you know, yeah, Texas made 16 threes in that game, and that was partially due to NC State's defense, but I think it was just partially just a great shooting day for Texas. If the Longhorns hit 16 threes tonight, um they can, you know, obviously book their trip to Oregon to play BYU on Thursday. Uh, I do not see it happening where Texas makes 16 threes, they're gonna have to find ways, uh, you know, other ways to generate offense because that that is that was the most threes they made in the game this season, if I'm not mistaken. So um I think NC State, they're not gonna allow that to happen again. And uh on the Texas side of things, they're gonna need their defense to improve because uh, you know, it was a you know, Texas won that game, but they still gave up 97 points. It was 102, 97. That that's very high scoring. I saw some people saying that this game would be like in the 70s, and I highly disagree with that. But this is gonna be bucket after bucket, in my opinion, tonight, unless both these teams uh suddenly just woke up today and decided that they'd be good defensive teams, which I highly doubt is gonna happen. So um it's it's a really exciting matchup. I was actually really surprised to see NC State be in the first four. A lot of people thought that they'd be a 10 seed or an 11 seed that you know avoided the first four. But if you're in the four first four, that means you were one of the very last at-large bids. And so Texas barely squeaks in. Um, and so what have we wait and see what happens? I think NC State has a lot of talent. Uh, Texas does as well. So uh it's kind of like a toss-up game. They're really, I really don't think that there's a significant advantage on either side. Um, you know, they're both pretty even, like I mentioned. So uh interesting, interesting stuff tonight in Dayton.

SPEAKER_01 16:49

Yeah, absolutely. And uh I looked back and the the 2024-2025 matchup between Texas and NC State was in rally uh for the SEC ACC challenge. Uh Texas won that game too, 63 to 59. Uh Trey Johnson, who God, I wish Texas had him this year. Uh, he he led the way with 18 points. So

Jay Bilas Predicts A Sweet 16 Run

SPEAKER_01 17:13

Texas does have back-to-back wins over NC State uh over the last two years, and they will have a chance to make it three. Um I'm curious uh, you know, what Texas is going to do in this game defensively. I mean, obviously we know that they struggle there quite a bit. Uh NC State's got four guys that averaged 13.9, or three guys averaged 13.9, one guy that averages 13.8. Uh Paul McNeil Jr., Khir Copeland, then Alan Lubin all average three uh 13.9, and Darion Williams, the forward, averages 13.8. Um I mean, look, I I don't know much about this team because uh I'm gonna leave that to Zach. But if you got four guys that are averaging around the same, like damn near the exact same in scoring, that means you're a pretty balanced offense. So uh Texas is gonna have to defend a lot of guys, and they haven't been too successful at that this year so far.

SPEAKER_02 18:11

Yeah, not at all. Um, you know, Sean Miller hasn't sugarcoated that either. Uh, when he was meeting with the media yesterday, uh, you know, I don't remember his exact words, but he basically was saying that uh there's no secret that defense has not been the team's strongest this season, and uh that's definitely putting it lightly. So um, but you know, NC State uh something's gotta give here um with these two teams. Um, I mean NC State lost their uh uh six of their last seven games, or I sorry, five of their last six games to end the season. And that's it. I'm pretty sure Texas did the exact same thing, losing five of their last six. Um so something's gotta give here some one of these teams is gonna have to build some more some kind of momentum. Um, and for uh for NC State, that included a road loss in overtime to a Notre Dame team that finished with uh you know well below 500 this year. So uh pretty pretty volatile results um when you look when you look at NC State, but the same goes for Texas. Texas had a few bad losses. So uh, but yeah, you mentioned the personnel on uh on the roster for the Wolfpack. Uh I I think uh Kwir Copeland is one of the most underrated point uh point guards in the country. He's got really impressive size, and uh he had uh 16 assists in a win at on the road against SMU earlier this season. Um and I believe that was like the most in the ACC uh in quite a long time. And so if you have 16 assists in the game in college, uh you're doing something right as a playmaker. And so he's really impressive. I think Texas is gonna have a hard time dealing with him. And then Darien Williams, um, who infamously was involved in that scuffle with Brock Cunningham uh a few seasons back in in Lubbock, whenever he played for Texas Tech. Uh he's definitely familiar with tech with Texas, um, having played them. This is the second time playing them this season. Um, and then of course playing them whenever he was with the Red Raiders. So I'm sure he has he has some sort of feelings against Texas and he's gonna be motivated

Could Injuries Open A Path

SPEAKER_02 20:15

uh for this one. But um, yeah, lot lots of guys to to keep track of on uh on NC State. They got a lot of transfers that are super talented. Um, and so it it will not be easy for Texas tonight um by by any stretch. Um, I think this is uh different than last year against against Xavier, where I think Texas have a talent advantage, but uh I think Sean Miller gave Xavier the coaching advantage. Where this season I think that uh uh both teams are gonna be equally talented and both with great coaches, so it's gonna be a good battle.

SPEAKER_01 20:46

Yeah, uh Brock Cunningham sure started a lot of a lot of shit, didn't he?

SPEAKER_02 20:51

Yeah, he sure did.

SPEAKER_01 20:52

I I love that guy. Uh I wish they had a guy like him on the roster this year, but oh well. Uh that's okay. Well, Zach, I don't know what your prediction for this game is. Uh I don't really have one right now. I guess we'll give it after our next segment because uh Jay Billis, one of the foremost experts in college basketball, uh, we all know and love him from ESPN. He's one of the best in the business uh that does it. He's usually pretty accurate too. He made a wild prediction for the Longhorns, in my opinion. Uh and we and Zach put up a story about this on uh on Texas Longhorns on SI. So go check that out. But uh Jay Billis. I I I mean I think that it's safe to say this prediction is bold. He thinks Texas is not just gonna win this game, not just gonna beat BYU, but they're going to advance all the way to the Sweet 16 by also beating Gonzaga in the round of 32. And uh, you know, to me. That would be uh quite something. Because Texas hasn't made the Sweet 16 since uh the 23 season when Chris Beard got fired and Rodney Terry took over. They made it to the Elite Eight, and I believe they lost to Miami. Is that correct? So um Zach pointed that out to me before the show. He gets all the credit, not me. But you know, that's because he was there, by the way. You know, we we cover all these things. But um that would be kind of a crazy run because I don't think anybody really had Texas making the tournament this year at the start, especially after the way that the season started, and and much less making it all the way to a sweet 16. I mean, I think it's safe to say that that's a wild prediction.

SPEAKER_02 22:41

It definitely is a wild prediction. And you know, uh every year there's gonna be some sort of double-digit seed that makes a little bit of a run. And I think Texas maybe has the talent to do so, uh, you know, but that it's it's still a stretch considering the way this team has played. And you and when it comes to the NCAA tournament, uh, you have to have some semblance of a defense um it's in order to advance, and Texas really doesn't right now, unless they can just pull something out of their out of their hat. And um it's gonna be it's gonna be hard to imagine that. But let's be honest though, I actually think Jay Billis is on to something a little bit. I'm not saying this is gonna happen. Uh let me get that straight. But uh when you look at who Texas could play, BYU and then uh Gonzaga, if they do beat NC State, um, both those teams are dealing with uh notable injuries. Um with BYU, they uh they don't have Richie Saunders, who is a key veteran uh guard for them, one of the best shooters in the Big 12. Um, he tore his ACL a few weeks back, and he's been out for the season for multiple weeks now. And um, you know, that that was definitely a big loss, and a lot of people uh you know thought BYU uh would suffer because of that, and they kind of have a little bit the back half of the season, uh, with taking a few losses to on their chin, and uh, you know, but they still have AJ DeBon DeBonsa, who is arguably going to be the number one pick in the in the draft this summer. He is elite, he does he's one of the best scores in the country. I believe he still leads the country in points per game as a true freshman. That is absolutely incredible. So uh, you know, Richie Saunders' injury is definitely one to watch, but AJ DeBonsa, if Texas does play BYU, he'll be an absolute problem uh for that Texas defense. Um, and then let's say Texas does beat BYU. If they play again Zaga, um the Zags are without uh their second best big man, uh Braden Huff, who was averaging 17.8 points per game this season, 5.6 rebounds. He's been out for about a month with a knee injury. And so if some if an upset were to kind of line up, it you know, it kind of works in Texas's favor that some the these teams that they could play are dealing with these injuries. Of course, they got to get past NC State, but there is a there is a path there, uh, especially when you consider that BYU has trended down this season and Gonzaga, they've had they've had some moments this season where they haven't looked that great. Of course, they lost to uh Portland, uh, which was in Portland uh earlier this season. And yes, Portland is a Division I program uh in the West Coast Conference, and Gonzaga lost to them, and that would that was like a historical defeat for the Zags there. And so that they're definitely uh susceptible, I think. Uh, but of course that's still an elite program there in Spokane. But um, yeah, if you look at it that way, there is a sort of a path for Texas to kind of make a little bit of a mini run. Doesn't mean it's gonna happen, but I see where Jay Billis' head is at. Uh because if Texas was in a different region facing a few different teams without injury issues, it would be a lot different. But because of those factors, it there is a scenario where Texas could could find itself in the Sweet 16, but it's still a stretch. Don't get me wrong, still a bold prediction.

SPEAKER_01 25:54

Yeah, absolutely. Uh I just went in and changed my bracket because I didn't know these things, and Jay Billis is right about a lot of stuff. Uh, he had Texas, like I said, all the way to the Sweet 16 facing Purdue, who's always good. They're a number two seed right now. He had he does have them falling to uh to Purdue. But I think it's safe to say, you know, considering the way the season began, considering all the ups and downs that this basketball team has had, uh, you know, the highs and the lows, the the the stretch that they went on in the middle of SEC play where they looked really, really good, and then the stretch at the end of the season where they looked really, really disorganized and really bad, and Sean Miller was pretty pissed off. If you had told me at any point this season that Texas was going to be a Sweet 16 team, I think every Texas fan on earth would have taken that, and they would consider that a wildly successful season. Uh and very unbelievable.

Is A First Four Exit Still Success

SPEAKER_01 26:52

Uh, I mean, I I you know, here's my other question to you, Zach. I mean, obviously the Sweet 16 would be a massive success in year one for Sean Miller and give him a lot, you know, a really big platform to recruit off of, a really big platform to utilize in the transfer portal of, hey, look what I did with this group of players, imagine what I can do with you kind of a thing. Um, but if Texas loses tonight to NC State, do you still consider it a successful season? Because I think I do, uh, for all the same reasons that I just mentioned, and you know, uh what they've had to deal with this year and and and all that, Sean Miller being able to make this, you know, the first four is something that I didn't even expect. So I would still consider it successful.

SPEAKER_02 27:37

Yeah, it's a little bit tough. Um, I'm kind of in between when it comes to my answer on that one, uh, because you know, you you fire Rodney Terry, you bring in Sean Miller, um, and for the second straight season, you have a first-round draft pick. Last year you had Trey Johnson, this year you have Dalen Swain. And yet, if you're losing in the first four, you're doing the exact same thing you just did last season with pretty much not much improvement. Um, so in my opinion, I'm not sure if it would be a success for Sean Miller because it uh, especially when you consider that Texas was looking pretty comfortable as a tournament lock um after they beat AM in college station and then they lost like what, four straight games or whatever it was, or I guess three straight games. And so um it's it's it's kind of tough. I'm I'm gonna say no, that it won't be a success if Texas loses tonight because you hired Sean Miller with with the uh with the hope that you can at least avoid the first four and just be a tournament team and potentially win a game. Um, so it's a little bit tough, you know, especially look, you know, I guess we didn't expect Dalen Swain to be a first-round pick where Trey Johnson was seen as that as soon as he stepped on campus. Um, but knowing what we know now and seeing how this team was able to kind of bounce back but then fall back down, um, I would say it's a disappointment uh if they don't win tonight um for the season. Doesn't mean that Sean Miller is a coach and the hire is a disappointment. I think he's gonna be excellent. But uh if we're talking about just this season, you expected to be doing more than the first four, in my opinion. I know it didn't seem that way once Texas started to owe into an SEC play, but uh still uh I don't think that fans are gonna feel necessarily juiced and excited um about next year if if you lose tonight in the first four once again. So it's it's kind of tough, but that's just where I stand on things. Um winning the first four uh and just and just being in the tournament and then competing against BYU. I think that's I think that's a six a success. And then anything beyond that is just playing with house money. Um, but a loss tonight, second straight season in Dayton, we're not able to advance past that. I think that's gonna be a disappointment.

SPEAKER_01 30:01

I think that that's fair. I think you could go kind of either way with it, just depending on how where

What Texas Must Invest In Next

SPEAKER_01 30:05

you stand. Um, you know, I I do agree with you. They fired Rodney Terry because, well, on paper, they fired Rodney Terry because he couldn't advance in the tournament and he couldn't win a game. I think that part of the reason they also fired Rodney Terry because it is because it was never really who Chris Delcante wanted. Uh, and he wanted a different personality and a different uh different he had a different vision for the program. So uh, you know, I I don't know. Uh all I do know is that whatever happens, whether this team makes it to the Sweet 16, round of 32, round of 64, or they lose tonight, uh they need to invest a little bit more in player acquisition and invest a little bit more money into this program and a little bit more, you know, a little bit better of a job at at talent scouting as well in the portal because it has not been up to snuff the last couple years. And I don't think anybody can argue with that. Uh but you know, like I said, 8 15 tonight on True TV, Texas taking on NC State. Uh, and we're gonna sit here and we're gonna hope that they that they advance because um we'd love to talk about this team more on this podcast, you know? And I want Zach to travel to to be able to travel to some NCAA tournament games because I know that makes him really happy. Uh, but that's gonna that's gonna do it for this episode of the Texas Longhorns on SI podcast.

Closing And Listener Call To Action

SPEAKER_01 31:31

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