No school in NCAA history has ever won both the men's football and basketball championships in the same season. Sportsbook.com odds makers think Texas has a legitimate shot at doing just that and is offering fans the chance to bet on the feat, with odds set at 35-1. Ranked second in the AP poll, the Longhorns football team has posted a perfect record so far and seems destined to clash with USC in the championship deciding Rose Bowl in January. Should Vince Young and his squad pull off the win then all the pressure will shift to head coach Rick Barnes' basketball team.
The Longhorns hoops squad enters this season with its highest ever ranking in a national poll. They are currently number three according to ESPN/USA Today and sit behind only Duke and Connecticut with odds at 12-1 at Sportsbook.com to March to victory come NCAA tournament time.
"Never in NCAA history has a school won both of these championships in the same year", said Alex Czajkowski, Marketing Director, Sportsbook.com. "The Longhorns have been close to the top in both sports for so long; this could be the year that everything comes together. Everybody loves to bet on NCAA football and basketball, I think our players and Longhorn fans everywhere will be excited to get in on a piece of history."
A win by both teams would be historic and sentimental. Texas has always been considered football country, but Barnes has put together a team made up mostly of in-state talent hoping to raise the popularity of basketball to the same dizzying heights that football enjoys.
"It would be a great story if it happened, and a tremendous achievement for the University of Texas," added Czajkowski.
1st
