Texas becomes sixth First Four team to make Sweet 16

Veteran coach Sean Miller leads Longhorns to upset over Gonzaga

Mar. 22, 2026 at 4:52am

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Texas, led by veteran coach Sean Miller, has become the sixth First Four team to make the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament since the field expanded to 68 teams in 2011. The 11th-seeded Longhorns upset No. 3 seed Gonzaga 74-68 in the second round, with a late 3-pointer from junior forward Camden Heide sealing the victory. This marks Texas' first Sweet 16 appearance since 2023.

Why it matters

Sean Miller's coaching experience and ability to get the most out of his players has been a key factor in Texas' unexpected tournament run. The Longhorns were one of the last at-large teams to make the field, but Miller's steady leadership has helped them overcome early-season struggles and knock off a top-10 team in Gonzaga. This success also provides redemption for Miller after the ugly end to his tenure at Arizona.

The details

Texas trailed Gonzaga 68-69 with 32 seconds left when Miller called a timeout and subbed in Heide, who had played limited minutes in the second half. Miller told Heide "I'm putting you in to make a shot," and that's exactly what he did, draining a clutch 3-pointer to give Texas a 72-68 lead. The Longhorns then held on for the 74-68 upset win. This marks the sixth time since 2011 that a First Four team has advanced to the Sweet 16, with the last being UCLA in 2021.

  • Texas defeated NC State in the First Four on March 14, 2026.
  • Texas defeated BYU 79-71 in the first round on March 17, 2026.
  • Texas defeated Gonzaga 74-68 in the second round on March 19, 2026.

The players

Sean Miller

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns, with a long history of success at the NCAA Tournament, including 13 appearances, 8 Sweet 16s, and 4 Elite Eights.

Chris Del Conte

The athletic director at the University of Texas, who hired Sean Miller to lead the Longhorns' basketball program.

Camden Heide

A junior forward for the Texas Longhorns, who hit the game-sealing 3-pointer in the final minute to help defeat Gonzaga.

Dailyn Swain

A guard for the Texas Longhorns, who finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in the win over Gonzaga.

Graham Ike

The star forward for Gonzaga, who dominated the paint but was unable to lead the Bulldogs to victory over Texas.

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What they’re saying

“He never had panic. He kept saying, 'I see it. But teams have to learn how to believe in each other.'”

— Chris Del Conte, Texas Athletic Director

“I'll take credit for it. You can make the case (Cam's) our best 3-point shooter. To not have him in there, I just didn't think it made any sense. Because what happens is exactly what happened: The play gets broken, a guy makes a drive, pivots, next thing you know you find someone.”

— Sean Miller, Texas Head Coach

“His repertoire, winning games, turning guys into NBA players, he's developed so many guys over the course of his career. I'm loving every second.”

— Dailyn Swain, Texas Guard

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.