Texas Basketball: Longhorns' Biggest Challenges in Big 12 Title Race

The Texas Longhorns are considered to be one of, if not the favorites to win the Big 12 regular-season title this season. 

Regardless of where they stand in our minds in the Big 12 standings, the Longhorns still have to go out on the court and prove they are the cream of the crop. 

Just like any team with championship aspirations, Texas will face some challenges throughout its potential path to the regular-season title. 

Here's a look at the five biggest challenges facing the Longhorns in Big 12 play.

Let's address the loss to Oklahoma right off the bat. 

The Longhorns were stunned in their Big 12 home opener against their biggest rival. In the defeat, they only scored 14 points in the first half and lost by 21. 

The loss should serve as a wake-up call for one of the teams looking to end Kansas' reign atop the Big 12. Rick Barnes and Co. must use the blowout loss as motivation to make sure nothing like this happens again. 

Oklahoma executed a strong game plan Monday night, which other teams will try to replicate during the conference schedule. With that in mind, the Longhorns must be aware of other squads trying to one-up them with a fast start. 

If Texas can come out of the gates with a purpose during the rest of its Big 12 games, things will be just fine in Austin when March rolls around. 

In the long-term, Isaiah Taylor's return to the Texas starting lineup will be one of the best things to happen to the Longhorns all season. 

However, Taylor does need some time to acclimate himself back into the starting lineup. His rust has shown during his first two games back, as he has shot a combined 6 of 23 against Texas Tech and Oklahoma. 

Despite having rough days from the field in his first two Big 12 games, Taylor has found a way to score a total of 17 points in a three-day stretch. 

If Taylor continues to improve with more playing time throughout conference play, the Longhorns should be fine. 

But there should be a small bit of concern about the point guard failing to make an impact until it's too late. For that to not become a possibility, Taylor needs to produce quality numbers in the next three games against Oklahoma State, West Virginia and TCU.

If his numbers don't improve by the Jan. 24 clash with Kansas, Texas could face an even tougher path to the regular-season title. 

For the Longhorns to rightfully claim the title of best team in the Big 12, they must win at least one game at two of the most hostile road environments in the conference. 

Both the trip to Hilton Coliseum on Jan. 26 and the visit to Allen Fieldhouse on Feb. 28 follow difficult games for the Longhorns. 

Before they head to Ames in late January, the Longhorns will host Kansas two days prior at the Erwin Center. Regardless of the result in Austin, Texas is expected to be handed a strong test by the Jayhawks on its home court. 

When they make the trip to Lawrence, the Longhorns will be in the middle of a stretch in which they play five straight games against ranked opponents. 

To make matters a bit more complicated, they make the long trip to Morgantown four days before their clash with Kansas. The long road trip could take a toll on the Longhorns, or it could make them even stronger than before. 

If Texas can find a way to power through its difficult schedule and perform well in two of the nation's best arenas, it could cement itself as the top team in the conference. 

If Texas does come away with the regular-season title and the No. 1 seed at the Big 12 tournament, it will have certainly earned it. 

Starting with a road game in Norman on Feb. 17, the Longhorns will endure a six-game stretch to close the season that features five games against ranked teams. 

While it is worth noting other teams in the Big 12 also have to deal with schedules similar to this one, Texas' major stretch comes at an inopportune time. 

After visiting Norman, the Longhorns will host Iowa State before embarking on a two-game trip to face West Virginia and Kansas. To finish off the season, they will play Baylor and Kansas State at home. 

We all know why the first four games of the six-game span will be challenging, but Baylor and Kansas State could be tricky opponents as well. If the Bears and Wildcats need a big win to seal up their NCAA tournament resumes, they could find a way to take advantage of a tired Texas squad. 

The Longhorns are not expected to go 6-0 during this run of games, but if they go 5-1 or 4-2 to close out the regular season, they should be in decent shape. 

Trying to find a flaw in the Texas roster is a difficult task at the moment. But if there is one weak spot, it is the depth at the guard position. 

The Longhorns will have zero concerns about the frontcourt all season, as they have five players capable of fitting into a starting role. 

In the backcourt, the story is a bit different with Demarcus Holland and Kendal Yancy behind Javan Felix and Taylor on the depth chart.

Holland did receive plenty of time on the court during Taylor's absence, but he has failed to become a consistent contributor in the points column. However, Holland did score 10 points in the loss to Kentucky. 

Yancy has also seen an increase in minutes, but he has also shown talent in spurts this season. His best statistical night outside of the point column came against Lipscomb, when he earned seven assists and five rebounds. 

For the Longhorns to thrive at every position, they will need players like Holland and Yancy to contribute points at some juncture. But they must also be strong in the assist and rebounding departments for Texas to have zero flaws heading into March. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.