Shooting From the Corner: Texas 78, Xavier 76 OT

Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty ImagesTexas gutted out a 78-76 overtime win against a Xavier squad who rolled into the NIT on a tear, having won 8 of their last 10 games including two wins against NCAA Tournament teams Villanova & Seton Hall. The game alternated between moments where these two teams reminded me why they were in contention for a NCAA bid and moments where they reminded me why they’re in the NIT Tournament. Texas definitely has not quit on this season, they’re invested in seeing this tournament run go as far as it can; as much as a program’s culture can be difficult to tangibly illustrate, watching how a squad reacts to missing out on a major goal can be instructive. Other programs - or even some previous Barnes teams - could have mailed it in when they were relegated to the NIT, but this squad gives a damn. Whatever cracks in Shaka’s tenure are visible externally, internally they’re still focused and invested.

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