Despite his best efforts to ignore all the speculation about his job security, Texas coach Shaka Smart says a few stories find their way to his phone.
“I try to stay focused on the inside of our team,” Smart said this week. “Every once in a while someone will text me something. I really don’t want to see that, man, but they send it to me. It’s a humbling thing because I’ve been on both sides of it now, and the thing you realize is you have to make it about the guys and the team, and you have to let go of any type of desire to control that stuff.
“You could drive yourself nuts if you go the other way.”
Right now, Texas (17-11, 7-8 Big 12) is trying to keep its longshot NCAA Tournament chances alive — as well as Smart’s prospects of returning next season — going into Saturday’s game at Texas Tech (18-10, 9-6). Tech will be honoring former star Andre Emmett, who died last year in a Dallas shooting.
After seeing its NCAA hopes all but end in a lopsided loss at Iowa State, Texas has rebounded with three straight victories. That includes a victory over No. 20 West Virginia, in a 48-point turnaround from a January loss.
The win streak has occurred despite a slew of injuries, including guard Jase Febres and big man Jericho Sims.
“I think our guys have looked at our injury situation and looked at the fact that we had lost some games culminating with that [Iowa State] game and said, ‘The guys we have, we’ve got to find a way to be better,’” Smart said. “One thing that’s a lesson for all of us as coaches is it’s easier for the guys to lose themselves in the fight when you’ve only got eight of them.”
To Smart’s credit, his team is playing hard and with emotion when it could have easily folded. It’s also knocking down shots that misfired in the last minutes of close losses this season. Texas has shot more than 50 percent in its three wins, led by Andrew Jones and Courtney Ramey.
“Nothing but respect for Shaka, and this is the latest example,” Tech coach Chris Beard said, coming off a disappointing loss at Oklahoma. “It doesn’t surprise me at all. It would be what I’d predict. His teams are always going to compete. They’ve had some adversity this year.
“I would tell you they’re one of the hottest teams in college basketball. They’re one of the best coached teams in college basketball.”
Smart needs more than endorsements. In Year 5, the clock is ticking, despite a $10.5 million buyout. Athletic director Chris Del Conte, in a series of public comments, has talked about how Smart is a good coach, a better person and has battled wretched luck. The two shared an emotional hug after a recent win over TCU.
At the same time, Smart is trying to avoid missing the NCAAs for the third time at Texas. Right now, Texas has lots more work to do, although the Longhorns got to “next four out” status on the latest ESPN bracketology. At the very least, Texas probably needs to win out in the regular season against Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, which put the Longhorns in fourth in the Big 12. At least one win at the conference tournament in Kansas City might to make the Big Dance.
Smart has tried to tell his players to treat the outside noise just he does.
“At the same time, these guys are human beings. They’re aware, and they have pride,” Smart said. “What you have seen the last few games is backs against the wall and just fighting.”
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February 29, 2020 at 09:27AM
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How Shaka Smart, Longhorns try to ignore outside noise about job speculations and longshot NCAA Tournament chances - The Dallas Morning News
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