It wasn’t always pretty, but the Texas Longhorns found a way. Texas will be participating in the NCAA Tournament after the committee selected them into March Madness‘ First Four as an 11th seed in the Midwest region. After the decision raised many eyebrows in college basketball, league officials made a strong message on their verdict.

Texas was knocked out of the SEC tournament during their semifinal matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers, after being defeated by a score of 83-72. However, the spirits in Austin were still riding high after securing two wins in the conference tournament, over Vanderbilt and Texas A&M.

Ultimately, it was deemed enough by the NCAA‘s Selection Committee as they announced the Longhorns will participate in the Midwest region’s First Four, going head-to-head with the Xavier Musketeers, which finished 4th in the Big East.

Much controversy has risen after the Longhorns’ selection to March Madness, as the SEC will have 13 teams making the 68-team bracket. However, committee’s chair, Bubba Cunningham, made a strong statement about the college basketball program in Austin.

Rodney Terry the head coach of the Texas Longhorns gives instructions to his team against the Tennessee Volunteers during the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament – Quarterfinals at Bridgestone Arena on March 14, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. at Bridgestone Arena on March 14, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.

“I can’t speak for everyone on the committee, but I do think that the seven wins in Quad 1 was significant, and I think that’s probably one of the things that moved them in,” Cunningham admitted about Texas’ selection, via On3.

SEC’s influence

Playing in one of the most competitive leagues in the NCAA, during a season in which the spotlight was ever shining over the Southeastern Conference, paid dividends for the Longhorns in the long run.

Texas’ 19-15 record was underlined by its quadrant records: 7-10 mark against teams on Quad 1, 3-5 record vs Quad 2, and 2-0 and 7-0 against Quad 3 and 4, respectively. Despite those numbers, the Selection Committee took notice of the Longhorns’ competitive surroundings when punching their ticket to March Madness.

“They played in the hardest conference in the country” Cunningham added. “That conference has just won 88 percent of their non-conference games, and they didn’t have a single loss in Quad 3 or Quad 4. They had an outstanding year, and their competition was really mostly in their conference.”

Tramon Mark #12 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after a made three point shot against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament – First Round at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.

What’s next?

On March 18 at 9:10p.m EST, the Longhorns will face the first of what they hope will be a long stretch of do-or-die matchups during March Madness. If Texas survives its opening litmus test against Xavier in Dayton, OH, the school will move on to 64-team bracket where it’d take on Illinois, the sixth seed in the Midwest.