Texas, Mississippi State need to show improvement in SEC play

Based on their NET rankings through nonconference play, both Texas and Mississippi State need to do significant work in the SEC if they intend to return to the NCAA Tournament.

The Longhorns (9-4) and Bulldogs (8-5) look to get their SEC campaigns started on the right foot when they square off on Saturday in their league opener in Austin, Texas.

Texas wants to improve after a 94-71 home win over Maryland Eastern Shore on Dec. 22 that Texas coach Sean Miller declared was his team's...