Skip to main content

MARCH MADNESS: Get to know every Texas team in the 2026 NCAA men’s college basketball tournament

Who are you picking to cut down the nets this year?

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 04: Emanuel Sharp #21 of the Houston Cougars reacts after a three point basket against the Baylor Bears during the second half at Fertitta Center on March 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) (Alex Slitz, 2026 Getty Images)

At long last, we have a bracket!

All across America, diehard hoop-heads, casual viewers, and those of us who are only 70% sure March Madness is even about basketball are coming together.

Recommended Videos



In a beautiful display of chaos and hope, we all pursue the impossible: a perfect bracket.

Before we tip off, we should get to know the Texas teams taking the floor in the 2026 Big Dance.

This year, six Texas teams made the cut, up from only five in 2025.

We have the Houston Cougars continuing their dynastic March run as a No. 2 seed, a couple of mid-ranking contenders in Texas Tech and TCU, and three double-digit seeds looking to shock the world in Texas A&M, Texas, and SMU.

Houston Cougars

  • Seed / Region: No. 2 — South Region
  • First-Round Matchup: Idaho (15): Thursday, 9:10 p.m. - truTV
  • Record (Overall / Conference): 28–6 overall, 14–4 Big 12 (second place)
  • Finish in Conference Tournament: Lost Big 12 Tournament Final to Arizona, 79–74
  • Best Win This Season: at BYU (77–66)
  • Worst Loss This Season: Three-game losing streak in mid-February (at Iowa State, vs. Arizona, at Kansas)

Texas Tech Red Raiders

  • Seed / Region: No. 5 — Midwest Region
  • First-Round Matchup: Akron (12): Friday, 11:40 a.m. - truTV
  • Record (Overall / Conference): 22–10 overall, 12–6 Big 12 (tied for third place)
  • Finish in Conference Tournament: Lost Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinal to Iowa State, 75–53
  • Best Win This Season: at Arizona (78–75 OT)
  • Worst Loss This Season: at Arizona State (72–67)

TCU Horned Frogs

  • Seed / Region: No. 9 — East Region
  • First-Round Matchup: Ohio State (8) - Thursday, 11:15 a.m. - CBS
  • Record (Overall / Conference): 22–11 overall, 11–7 Big 12 (sixth place)
  • Finish in Conference Tournament: Lost Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinal to Kansas, 78–73
  • Best Win This Season: at Texas Tech (73–65)
  • Worst Loss This Season: at Colorado (87–61)

Texas A&M Aggies

  • Seed / Region: No. 10 — South Region
  • First-Round Matchup: Saint Mary’s (7) - Thursday, 6:35 p.m. - truTV
  • Record (Overall / Conference): 21–11 overall, 11–7 SEC (tied for fourth place)
  • Finish in Conference Tournament: Lost in SEC Tournament Second Round to Oklahoma, 83–63
  • Best Win This Season: at Georgia (92–77)
  • Worst Loss This Season: at Oklahoma State (87–63)

Texas Longhorns

  • Seed / Region: No. 11 — West Region (First Four)
  • First-Round Matchup: NC State (11): Tuesday, 8:15 p.m. - truTV
  • Record (Overall / Conference): 18–14 overall, 9–9 SEC (10th place)
  • Finish in Conference Tournament: Lost in SEC Tournament First Round to Ole Miss, 76–66
  • Best Win This Season: at Alabama (92–88)
  • Worst Loss This Season: vs. Oklahoma (88–85 OT)

SMU Mustangs

  • Seed / Region: No. 11 —Midwest Region (First Four)
  • First-Round Matchup: Miami-OH (11): Wednesday, 8:15 p.m. - truTV
  • Record (Overall / Conference): 20–13 overall, 8–10 ACC (tied for 11th place)
  • Finish in Conference Tournament: Lost in ACC Tournament Second Round to Louisville, 62–58
  • Best Win This Season: vs. Louisville (95–85)
  • Worst Loss This Season: at Syracuse (79–78)