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What Mike White thinks Texas softball must do to ensure it hosts an NCAA super regional
TL;DR
Texas softball coach Mike White emphasizes the need for wins in the SEC Tournament to secure a top eight seed in the NCAA Tournament. Despite dropping to No. 10 in the national poll, Texas is ranked No. 4 in RPI and aims to host both Regional and Super Regional rounds in Austin.
Key points
- Texas softball coach Mike White stresses the importance of wins.
- Texas is currently No. 10 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll.
- Texas holds a No. 4 ranking in NCAA RPI ratings.
- The team aims to host NCAA Regional and Super Regional rounds in Austin.
- Texas is ranked No. 2 in strength of schedule among SEC teams.
National Fastpitch Coaches AssociationTexas LonghornsNCAASEC
When it comes to predicting the NCAA’s postseason, Texas softball coach Mike White becomes downright pragmatic.
He knows the Longhorns (39-10, 16-8 SEC) have dropped to No. 10 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll, their lowest ranking of the season. But he also knows Texas remains No. 4 in NCAA’s latest RPI ratings and No. 2 behind fellow SEC school LSU when it comes to strength of schedule.
So, what does Texas need to do in this week’s SEC Tournament in Lexington, Kentucky, to ensure that it plays both the Regional and Super Regional rounds in Austin as one of the NCAA Tournament’s top eight seeds?
“I think that, obviously, we'd want to go as far as we can in this tournament, but I would say we’ve probably got to win a game for sure,” White said. “Hopefully, that first one gives us a more solid chance of being in (the top eight). Looking at our strength of schedule and our RPI, we’re sitting pretty well. We’ve just got to get some wins, so that's a big goal.”
MORE: Texas softball's Katie Stewart, Oklahoma's Kendall Wells part of record-setting NCAA year
Texas Longhorns head coach Mike White talks to an official ahead of the game against Baylor at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
If Texas does get that much-needed win in Lexington, it will all but ensure a top-eight seed. But that’s a big, 6-foot-1-inch if, which happens to be the height of Tennessee star pitcher Karlyn Pickens. The fifth-seeded Vols play No. 13 Ole Miss in an SEC second-round game late Wednesday afternoon. With a win, Tennessee will advance to play the fourth-seeded Longhorns Thursday in a quarterfinal contest.
Q&A
What does Texas softball need to do in the SEC Tournament to host a super regional?
Texas softball needs to win at least one game in the SEC Tournament to strengthen their chances of being a top eight seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Why did Texas softball drop to No. 10 in the national poll?
Texas dropped to No. 10 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll due to recent performance, despite maintaining a strong RPI ranking.
What is Texas softball's current RPI ranking?
Texas softball is currently ranked No. 4 in the NCAA's RPI ratings.
How does Texas softball's strength of schedule compare to other teams?
Texas is ranked No. 2 in strength of schedule among SEC teams, only behind LSU.
