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MARCH MADNESS TRACKER: 2 Texas teams escape first weekend of tournament

Houston Cougars, Texas Longhorns head to the Sweet 16 after huge wins!

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 21: Tramon Mark #12 of the Texas Longhorns attempts a shot while being guarded by Jalen Warley #8 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 21, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) (Soobum Im, 2026 Getty Images)

Eight days ago, 68 teams were selected to compete in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

After the first weekend, just 16 are still dancing.

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Seven Texas teams made the field this year, but only two advanced past the Round of 64 and Round of 32: Houston and Texas.

MORE MARCH MADNESS: UH star freshman Kingston Flemings earns AP All-America honor ahead of NCAA March Madness debut

Houston entered as a high-powered No. 2 seed and took care of business in its first two matchups against double-digit seeds—beating Idaho, 78-47, and then Texas A&M, 88-57.

Under first-year head coach Sean Miller, Texas entered the tournament with a far less certain path. Sneaking in as one of the final bubble teams, the Longhorns had to play their way into the Round of 64. After defeating First Four opponent NC State on a last-second shot, Texas handled No. 6 seed BYU in the opening round and then shocked the nation with an upset over No. 3 seed Gonzaga in the Round of 32.

Still Dancing!

Houston Cougars

  • Seed / Region: No. 2 — South Region
  • Record: 30–6
  • Round of 64: Win vs. Idaho (15): 78-47
  • Round of 32: Win vs. Texas A&M (10): 88-57

Texas Longhorns

  • Seed / Region: No. 11 — West Region
  • Record: 21-14
  • First Four: Win vs. NC State (11): 68-66
  • Round of 64: Win vs. BYU (6): 79-71
  • Round of 32: Win vs. Gonzaga (3): 74-68

Maybe Next Year!

Texas Tech Red Raiders

  • Seed / Region: No. 5 — Midwest Region
  • Record: 23-11
  • Round of 64: Win vs. Akron (12): 91-71
  • Round of 32: Loss vs. Alabama (4): 90-65

TCU Horned Frogs

  • Seed / Region: No. 9 — East Region
  • Record: 23-12
  • Round of 64: Win vs. Ohio State (8): 66-64
  • Round of 32: Loss vs. Duke (1): 81-58

Texas A&M Aggies

  • Seed / Region: No. 10 — South Region
  • Record: 22-12
  • Round of 64: Win vs. Saint Mary’s (7): 63-50
  • Round of 32: Loss vs. Houston (2): 88-57

Prairie View A&M Panthers

  • Seed / Region: No. 16 —South Region (First Four)
  • Record: 19-18
  • First Four: Win vs. Lehigh (16): 67-55
  • Round of 64: Loss vs. Florida (1): 114-55

SMU Mustangs

  • Seed / Region: No. 11 —Midwest Region (First Four)
  • Record: 20-14
  • First Four: Loss vs. Miami OH (11): 89-79