The University of Texas men’s basketball team pulled off a stunning upset on Thursday night, knocking off top-seeded Gonzaga 84–83 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Sweet 16. The Bulldogs, who entered the game as heavy favorites, fell victim to a red-hot shooting performance by the Longhorns, who shot 54.5% from the field and connected on 11 of 20 three-pointers.
Texas, seeded No. 2-seed in the South Region, trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half but went on a decisive 19–4 run to take the lead for good. Sir’Jabari Rice led the way with 27 points, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, while Dylan Disu added 17 points and 10 rebounds. Gonzaga, playing without All-American Chet Holmgren—who suffered a season-ending injury in December—struggled to contain the Longhorns’ perimeter attack, particularly in the final minutes.
Gonzaga’s Drew Timme, the consensus national player of the year, finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds, but his late miss on a potential game-tying layup sealed the Bulldogs’ fate. Texas’ Marcus Carr hit the go-ahead free throw with 11.7 seconds remaining, capping off a dramatic finish that sent shockwaves through college basketball.
The victory marks Texas’ first Sweet 16 appearance since 2014 and only the second time in program history under head coach Chris Beard. Meanwhile, Gonzaga’s remarkable 31-game winning streak came to an end, ending their hopes of back-to-back national championships. The Longhorns will face either Michigan State or USC in the next round, looking to extend their improbable run in this year’s tournament.
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