What Mike White thinks Texas softball must do to ensure it hosts an NCAA super regional
The Texas Longhorns open the SEC Tournament Thursday, and they may need to reach the semifinals in order to secure a coveted top-8 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
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.