The Texas Longhorns are heating up at just the right moment, making their way into the Sweet 16 after a thrilling 74-68 victory over No. 3 seed Gonzaga. It was a standout performance from Jordan Pope and Matas Vokietaitis, each contributing 17 points. Camden Heide, a former Purdue Boilermaker, delivered in the clutch with a critical three-pointer that helped secure the win.
This victory pushes Texas to a 21-14 record for the season. The Longhorns, who were teetering on the bubble after dropping five of their last six games before the tournament, have found their stride.
They kicked off their March Madness run with a First Four triumph over NC State, followed by a first-round upset of BYU, which featured potential No. 1 NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa, before dispatching Gonzaga.
Texas typically hits the court with a starting lineup featuring Jordan Pope, Mark Tramon, Camden Heide, Dailyn Swain, and Matas Vokietaitis. Key contributors from the bench include guards Chendall Weaver and Simeon Wilcher, along with forward Nic Codie.
Dailyn Swain is a powerhouse for the Longhorns, leading in scoring, rebounding, and assists with averages of 17.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Vokietaitis follows closely, posting 15.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while boasting a team-best 62% shooting from the field. Tramon and Pope are also making significant contributions, both averaging double figures in scoring, with Heide leading from beyond the arc at 46%.
Chendall Weaver usually sees substantial minutes off the bench, averaging over 21 per game. However, it was Nic Codie who stepped up against Gonzaga, playing 26 minutes and recording a season-high 12 points, along with four rebounds and three assists.
Despite turning his ankle late in the Gonzaga game, point guard Jordan Pope is expected to suit up against Purdue on Thursday. Pope has been a steady presence, averaging 11 points and 2.3 assists per game throughout the tournament.
Texas stands as the only double-digit seed remaining in the Sweet 16, with No. 9 Iowa as the next lowest seed in the South Region.
Their upcoming clash with Purdue is set for Thursday at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The Longhorns are looking to continue their surprising run and keep the momentum going.