PORTLAND, Ore. — Coach Sean Miller isn’t buying the “Cinderella” label for his 11th-seeded Texas team. Even after their impressive 74-68 upset over Gonzaga, he’s standing firm. “We are the University of Texas, and we don’t see ourselves as underdogs,” he stated confidently.
This win marked Texas’ 11th NCAA tournament victory as a double-digit seed, the most since seeding began in 1979. Moments after the game, Miller couldn’t help but glow with pride.
Texas showed their strength earlier in the tournament too, having defeated sixth-seeded BYU, despite a 35-point standout performance from freshman AJ Dybantsa. Miller, who has an impressive 9-1 record in the Round of 32, holds the best track record since the tournament expanded in 1975, outpacing coaching giants like Mike Krzyzewski and Bob Knight.
What’s really fueling this success? Miller attributes it to the grueling regular-season schedule in the SEC. “Every game is tough, and that prepares you for March,” he explained. Texas’ season included wins against strong teams like Alabama and Missouri, which helped build resilience for this moment.
During the Michigan game, guard Jordan Pope displayed remarkable grit. He rolled his ankle late in the game but kept pushing through. With only 2:31 left on the clock, he hit a crucial three-pointer, putting Texas ahead 69-64. They sealed the game with a couple more points right at the end.
Their victory makes Texas the sixth team to start in the First Four and reach the Sweet 16 since that format began in 2011.
As they look ahead, Miller exudes optimism. “We’re playing our best right now, and hopefully, we can keep this momentum going.”
Notably, in recent NCAA history, more teams are making surprising strides in the tournament. According to a 2023 survey, nearly 60% of basketball fans believe that lower-seeded teams have a better shot at upsets than ever before. This trend adds even more excitement to the NCAA tournament, transforming every game into a potential turning point.
For the latest NCAA tournament updates and analysis, check out NCAA.com.
