Gonzaga and Texas Meet in NCAA Tournament Round of 32

March Madness heats up as teams vie for Sweet 16 spots

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:40pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The No. 3 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs and No. 11 seed Texas Longhorns will face off in the Round of 32 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Gonzaga advanced after a 73-64 win over No. 14 Kennesaw State, while Texas pulled off a 79-71 upset over No. 6 BYU. This matchup pits Gonzaga's balanced offense and WCC title experience against Texas' underdog momentum.

Why it matters

This is a crucial game in the NCAA Tournament, with the winner advancing to the Sweet 16. Both teams have shown the ability to win close games, setting up an intriguing battle between Gonzaga's veteran leadership and Texas' upset potential.

The details

Gonzaga, the No. 3 seed, relied on balanced scoring and veteran leadership to survive a late push from Kennesaw State in the first round. Texas, the No. 11 seed, pulled off a 79-71 upset over No. 6 BYU behind a dominant performance from forward Matas Vokietaitis and clutch late free throws.

  • The game will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 7:10 PM ET.

The players

Gonzaga Bulldogs

The No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Gonzaga is making its 24th consecutive tournament appearance. The Bulldogs are led by their balanced offense and veteran leadership.

Texas Longhorns

The No. 11 seed, Texas pulled off a first-round upset over No. 6 BYU. The Longhorns are led by forward Matas Vokietaitis and will look to continue their underdog run.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The winner of this Round of 32 matchup will advance to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This game features a classic clash of styles, with Gonzaga's experience and balanced attack going up against Texas' underdog momentum. Whichever team can impose its style of play will likely come out on top and keep its March Madness dreams alive.