Author: Brian Anderson

The No. 11 Texas Longhorns saw their remarkable NCAA Tournament run come to an end on Thursday night as Trey Kaufman-Renn’s tip with just 0.7 seconds left gave No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers a 79-77 victory in the Sweet 16 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The Longhorns, who began their tournament journey in the First Four, pushed one of the highest seeds to the limit in a game full of suspense and clutch plays.

In the final moments, Texas appeared to have a chance to tie the game when Dailyn Swain drove for an and-one layup with 11 seconds remaining. He made the free throw to send the score to 77-all. Purdue then moved the ball upcourt, and Braden Smith attempted a layup, but the ball rolled off the rim.

Kaufman-Renn, positioned underneath the basket, tipped the ball home for the winning points. He finished the night with 20 points. Some debate arose on social media over a possible foul during the tip, but the officials did not call one. Purdue celebrated the win while Texas’ season ended in dramatic fashion.

Purdue and Texas Battle Closely in High-Scoring, Thrilling Sweet 16 Showdown

The game was a back-and-forth battle throughout the 40 minutes. Neither team ever built a large lead. Purdue’s biggest advantage was seven points, and Texas never led by more than four. Both teams shot well, with Texas converting 52 percent of their attempts and Purdue hitting 48 percent. All Purdue starters scored in double figures, led by Fletcher Loyer with 18 points and Braden Smith with 16. Texas relied on Tramon Mark, who scored 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including five three-pointers. Swain also contributed with nine rebounds and five assists.

With the win, Purdue advances to face the winner of the Arkansas and Arizona matchup in the Elite Eight. The Final Four will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. While Texas’s Cinderella story ends here, their tournament performance from the First Four to nearly defeating a No. 2 seed will be remembered as one of the most thrilling underdog runs of the 2026 March Madness.

When it comes to college basketball pedigree, Gonzaga clearly has the edge over Texas. The Zags boast the second-longest active NCAA Tournament streak at 27 consecutive appearances and have won 29 tournament games over the past decade, the most in the nation. Texas, meanwhile, has reached six consecutive tournaments but claimed only six victories during the same period, including its recent 79-71 first-round win over BYU.

Gonzaga Coach Mark Few Cautious Despite Statistical Edge Over Texas Basketball

Despite the statistical advantage, Gonzaga head coach Mark Few is wary of underestimating Texas in their second-round matchup at Portland’s Moda Center. Few emphasized the Longhorns’ resources, roster depth, and athletic talent, refusing to frame them as a “Cinderella” team.

The Zags’ dominance is not just recent; under Few’s leadership since the 1999-2000 season, Gonzaga has amassed 773 wins and never missed the NCAA Tournament. Few ranks 19th all-time in Division I wins and sixth among active coaches. Texas coach Sean Miller praised Few’s sustained success, noting the program’s international recruiting, roster-building, and consistent decision-making as key factors in Gonzaga’s long-standing excellence.

Texas Embraces Underdog Role Against Gonzaga in High-Stakes NCAA Showdown

Texas enters the game used to being underestimated. Guard Chendall Weaver acknowledged the team’s experience as “underdogs” in prior seasons, while forward Nic Codie stressed confidence in matching up against any opponent. The Longhorns will focus on containing Gonzaga forward Graham Ike, who averages 19.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, and countering a deep, versatile roster. Sixth-year senior Tramon Mark emphasized the team’s disregard for betting lines or public perception, aiming instead to let their performance speak.

This second-round showdown highlights the contrast between Gonzaga’s basketball-centric culture and Texas’ football-dominant identity, yet both teams bring talent, strategy, and resilience. While Gonzaga’s history and consistent tournament success make them favorites, Texas’ determination and balanced roster set the stage for a highly competitive game. The matchup will test whether tradition and pedigree can outweigh grit and underdog spirit on college basketball’s biggest stage.

Just days before the NCAA Tournament begins, the Alabama Crimson Tide faces an off-court challenge as starting guard Aden Holloway was arrested on Monday for possession of marijuana. According to Tuscaloosa Police Department spokesperson Stephanie Taylor, agents from the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force found over a pound of marijuana, paraphernalia, and cash during a search of a residence.

Holloway, 21, was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and failure to affix a tax stamp. He was booked into Tuscaloosa County Jail at 9:48 a.m. and released shortly after at 10:45 a.m. on a $5,000 bond.

It remains uncertain whether the Crimson Tide will impose disciplinary measures before their first-round matchup against Hofstra on Friday in Tampa, Florida. Alabama, coming off a 23-9 season and earning a No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region, will rely on Holloway’s contributions as the team’s second-leading scorer.

Holloway’s Scoring and Efficiency Key to Alabama’s Momentum Entering Tournament

Holloway has been instrumental in the team’s recent success, averaging 16.8 points per game and contributing 18 points in the SEC Tournament quarterfinal loss to Ole Miss last Friday. The Crimson Tide has won nine of its last eleven games, showing strong momentum heading into postseason play.

Holloway, in his third season at Alabama, returned to his starting role after beginning as a freshman in the 2023-24 campaign. He has been highly efficient this season, shooting 48.1% from the field, 43.8% from three-point range, and averaging 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game.

Notably, as of June 2024, the NCAA Division I Council removed marijuana from its list of banned substances for championships and postseason football, a factor that may influence the team’s handling of the situation. Alabama will look to balance Holloway’s legal issues with maintaining focus and performance as the tournament gets underway.