Have they beaten a top 50 or 100 school yet?
If getting in the tournament is the goal, then why get a new coach? Nearly half of the teams make the tournament. It’s very much like “let’s make a bowl game” when there are 40 bowls.
Originally Posted by Congratulations
Texas is ranked #35 in the BPI which is used by the NCAA selection committee in selecting the 36 at-large teams to the tournament. UT has lost to Duke, Kansas, Gonzaga and Michigan which are ranked 5, #4, #9, and #30. And the losses to Duke and Gonzage were in OT. So all their losses have been to quality teams. Iowa State is ranked #88. Alabama #51. Butler #41. So I would say that UT has played up to their capabilities thus far.
There are 347 D-1 basketball teams. 68 make the NCAA tournament. That is 19.5%. 32 of the 68 teams qualify by winning their conference tournament. That leaves 36 at-large teams to be chosen by the tournament committee. So only 11% of the non-conference winners make the tournament. Quite less than "nearly half".
Teams change coaches for various reasons, usually to improve their team's play. Obviously not all teams have the same recruiting power -- Duke and Kentucky are able to recruit far different athletes than say Texas Southern -- so the end goal for each team is different. If Duke and Kentucky do not make at least the Elite 8 each year, they have not succeeded in their fans eyes. Most of the 347 D-1 schools will consider reaching the Elite 8 a fantastic accomplishment.
Every team wants to make the NCAA tournament. The 2nd most popular BB tournament at the end of the season is the NIT, commonly known as the "loser's tournament". I have gone out on a limb and predicted UT has a legitimate shot to make the NCAA tournament.