The Texas Longhorns are on a thrilling ride through March Madness, heading into the Round of 32 with eyes set on the Sweet 16. After a nail-biting victory over NC State in the First Four and a solid 79-71 win against BYU-despite a standout 35-point performance from the Cougars' AJ Dybantsa-the Longhorns are buzzing with momentum.
Next up, the Longhorns (20-14) face a formidable challenge against the third-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs (31-3). Under the seasoned guidance of head coach Mark Few, Gonzaga has been a powerhouse this season. The showdown is set for Saturday at 6:10 pm CT, and fans can catch the action live from Portland's Moda Center on TBS.
Both teams have crossed paths with several common opponents this season, including Oklahoma, Arizona State, Alabama, and Kentucky. Gonzaga swept through all these matchups, showcasing their dominance. Meanwhile, Texas had mixed results-splitting games with Oklahoma, securing a win at Alabama, but falling to Kentucky and Arizona State during the Maui Invitational.
As Texas gears up to take on Gonzaga, they'll need to be at their best, especially considering the Bulldogs' depth and experience. Notably, Gonzaga is navigating the tournament without their star 6-foot-10 junior, Braden Huff, who has been sidelined since mid-January due to a knee injury. Huff's absence, however, hasn't slowed the Bulldogs down, making them a tough contender for the Longhorns.
Texas fans are hopeful, and if the Longhorns can channel their recent successes, they might just keep this exhilarating tournament run alive.