DAYTON, OHIO – Anxiety turned into jubilation for the Xavier Musketeers as they were selected as a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday. This past Wednesday night, they faced off against the Texas Longhorns, also a No. 11 seed, in the First Four at UD Arena with high stakes. The matchup was scheduled for 9:10 p.m. E.T.
Xavier entered the game with a record of 21-11 while the Longhorns boasted a 19-15 record. A victory would propel the winner into a second-round matchup against No. 6 Illinois in Milwaukee on Friday night.
The Musketeers were in a bit of a predicament historically, having lost to Texas in their last NCAA encounter, the 2023 Sweet 16 game, which saw Texas dominate with a score of 83-71. Looking back, Xavier fans had fond memories of defeating Texas 79-71 in 2004, marking a milestone as they advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in the program's history.
As the game commenced, Xavier faced a critical moment. They had struggled this season when trailing at halftime, holding a 4-6 record under such circumstances, but had managed to display resilience in earlier matches. Despite trailing at halftime against Texas, where the score stood at 47-39, Xavier’s players were determined to turn the tide in the second half.
The first half saw Texas hitting a buzzer-beater, giving them a significant morale boost. Tramon Mark of Texas led all scorers with 11 points, and Tre Johnson provided key contributions, developing momentum for their team with multiple plays that highlighted their offensive prowess. On the other hand, Xavier found moments of brilliance as well, particularly from Dante Maddox Jr., who scored 10 points coming off the bench, and Jerome Hunter, with his clutch shooting performance contributing an additional six points.
While both teams came out strong, the pace of the game indicated a potential high-scoring showdown with Xavier shooting at an impressive 53.6% from the field in the opening period. However, their lack of defensive consistency resulted in allowing Texas to dominate offensively.
In addition, foul troubles plagued Xavier, with key players like Zach Freemantle sidelined early due to foul accumulation. This was a particularly concerning matter since Freemantle had emerged as a consistent scorer for the Musketeers during the regular season, averaging crucial points that could turn the game in their favor.
BetMGM Sportsbook made Xavier a 2.5-point favorite, likely influenced by their history and performance close to home, even as Texas demonstrated resilience in tougher competitions throughout the season.
As the first half drew to a close and fans filled the stands with palpable excitement, Xavier Coach Sean Miller highlighted the stakes, saying, “There’s so much invested. We played our best basketball as we entered March.” This statement encapsulated the essence of what was at stake for both teams in this high-pressure environment.
Fans would remember this rivalry as the long and competitive history between these two teams unfolded in front of them once more. With both teams looking capable of explosive plays, the winner of the contest would have to muster every bit of energy and strategy in the second half.
The thoughts of past encounters hung in the air, making this matchup more than just a game. As the teams returned to the court, Xavier's players were fueled by the necessity to overcome previous shortcomings and take control of their own narrative for this tournament.
As momentum swung back and forth, the second half was forecasted to turn dramatic and tense. Would Xavier find their rhythm and capitalize on their previous encounters’ lessons, or would Texas continue their streak against the Musketeers in the NCAA tournament?
As the game progressed and stakes continued to rise with every possession, fans were left on the edge of their seats, waiting to see which team would emerge victorious and secure their place in history—and in the next round of this competitive tournament.
