Texas Faces Top-Seeded Gonzaga in NCAA Tournament Second Round

PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — The seed Texas Longhorns, riding a late surge, face their toughest test of the season against the West Region’s top seed, the Gonzaga Bulldogs, in the second round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Saturday.

The game at the Moda Center pits a battle-tested but inconsistent Texas squad (20-14) against a Gonzaga powerhouse (31-3) that has dominated most of its schedule. The Bulldogs are installed as 5.5-point favorites, with an over/under of 147.5 points.

Texas advanced with a 79-71 victory over BYU on Thursday, led by 23 points from Matas Vokietaitis and 19 from Tramon Mark. That win followed a narrow 68-66 first-round triumph over North Carolina State. The Longhorns have shown resilience, but their 14 losses highlight a season of uneven performances.

Gonzaga dispatched Kennesaw State 73-64 in its opener, led by Graham Ike’s 19 points. The Bulldogs’ three losses this season came by a combined 15 points, with their last defeat a 70-59 setback at Saint Mary’s on Feb. 28.

A key matchup will feature Texas guard Tramon Mark against Gonzaga’s backcourt. Mark has been a catalyst for the Longhorns, averaging 17.4 points over his last seven games, including a 23-point effort in a win at Texas A&M. His ability to score at all three levels will be critical against a stout Gonzaga defense.

For Gonzaga, guard Jalen Warley provides steady playmaking, coming off a 12-point, 5-assist performance against Kennesaw State. The Bulldogs’ offensive efficiency, ranking among the nation’s best, will challenge a Texas defense that has allowed 85 points or more in four of its last ten games.

Texas will need another balanced scoring effort beyond Mark, as seen Thursday when Dailyn Swain added 14 points and six assists. Containing Gonzaga’s interior duo of Ike and Ben Gregg, along with perimeter shooter Davis Fogle, will be paramount.

The Longhorns last met Gonzaga in the 2021 tournament, falling 81-72. Saturday’s winner advances to the Sweet 16 next week in Los Angeles.

Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 4:45 p.m. PDT Saturday.