Texas Eliminated from NCAA Tournament After Falling to Xavier in First Four
The Texas Longhorns’ 2025 NCAA Tournament journey came to a heartbreaking halt on March 19, as they were eliminated in the First Four by the Xavier Musketeers in a 71-63 loss. The defeat marks a disappointing end to the season for a program that had high hopes and aspirations of making a deep run in March Madness. Despite showing flashes of brilliance throughout the year, Texas was unable to overcome a late-game surge from Xavier, and the result leaves fans and analysts wondering what went wrong for the Longhorns.
For the first time in recent memory, Texas was placed in the First Four, which is typically reserved for teams on the edge of tournament contention. While the Longhorns had their share of struggles throughout the regular season, including inconsistency in their play and some disappointing losses, they still had the talent and potential to make a run. Their exit from the tournament was an unceremonious end to a season that saw moments of brilliance but also left many questions unanswered.
A Look Back at the Game
The game began with a promising start for the Texas Longhorns. Early in the first half, they were firing on all cylinders, showing good ball movement, sharp shooting, and solid defense. Texas jumped out to a 15-point lead at one point, with Tyrese Hunter playing an outstanding game, knocking down shots and making plays for his teammates. The Longhorns’ offense looked fluid, and their defense seemed to be smothering Xavier’s attempts to get into a rhythm.
However, as has often been the case for Texas throughout the season, they struggled to maintain their momentum. Xavier’s defense started to tighten up, and the Longhorns had trouble executing on offense. By halftime, the Musketeers had cut the lead to just five points, 33-28, and Texas was forced to regroup in the locker room.
In the second half, the game turned into a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging leads. Texas remained in control for much of the second half, but Xavier’s relentlessness and disciplined play began to take its toll. With around five minutes left in the game, Xavier guard Souley Boum—one of the tournament’s most dangerous scorers—took over. Boum’s ability to get to the basket, draw fouls, and hit key shots from the perimeter allowed Xavier to take a 63-60 lead.
Texas had opportunities to tie the game, but turnovers and missed shots in the final minutes proved costly. Despite some late heroics from Marcus Carr, who attempted to keep Texas in the game with a few clutch baskets, the Longhorns could not overcome the Musketeers’ defense and offensive execution. Xavier’s Paul Scruggs iced the game with a pair of free throws in the final seconds, sealing the 71-63 victory and sending Texas home.
What Went Wrong for Texas?
Inconsistency in the Second Half
While Texas showed flashes of brilliance early on, their inability to sustain their performance in the second half proved to be their undoing. The Longhorns have struggled with consistency throughout the year, and that trend continued in this matchup. After building an early lead, Texas seemed to lose focus, and Xavier took advantage.
The Longhorns were unable to execute effectively on both ends of the court. Defensively, they struggled to contain Xavier’s dynamic guards, particularly Souley Boum and Colby Jones, who combined for 40 points. Despite being one of the better defensive teams in the country, Texas could not stop the Musketeers’ late-game surge.
Offensively, the Longhorns went cold at crucial moments. They missed several open shots from the perimeter and struggled to find a rhythm in the half-court offense. Dylan Disu, who had been a key contributor throughout the season, was largely invisible during the second half and failed to provide the offensive spark the team needed. The lack of consistent scoring hurt Texas, especially when Xavier was able to execute on offense and make crucial baskets late in the game.
Turnovers and Mistakes at Crucial Moments
Another factor that hurt Texas was their inability to take care of the basketball when it mattered most. The Longhorns committed several turnovers in key moments, which allowed Xavier to capitalize and turn defense into offense. Texas had 15 turnovers in the game, many of which came at pivotal moments during the second half when they were trying to push for a comeback. Those turnovers not only killed possessions but also allowed Xavier to gain momentum and further frustrate the Longhorns’ rhythm.
In addition to turnovers, Texas missed several crucial free throws down the stretch, further compounding their mistakes. Carr, who had been a reliable free-throw shooter throughout the season, missed two critical free throws in the final minutes. The combination of turnovers, missed free throws, and poor shot selection ultimately cost Texas a chance to advance.
The Impact of Injuries
Another key factor in Texas’ defeat was the absence of Jabari Rice, one of the team’s most important players. Rice, a transfer from New Mexico State, had been a reliable scorer and playmaker for the Longhorns all season long. His absence was felt throughout the game, as his leadership, scoring ability, and defense were sorely missed. Texas lacked a true second scoring option to complement Tyrese Hunter and Marcus Carr, and that imbalance was evident in the loss.
Although Rice had been dealing with a nagging injury for several weeks, the Longhorns had hoped to get a full performance out of him in the tournament. His limited availability hurt Texas’ ability to stretch the defense and execute on offense. While other players stepped up, it was clear that Rice’s absence was a major factor in their inability to close out the game.
What’s Next for Texas?
As the Longhorns return home from the tournament, their early exit will be a tough pill to swallow for both the players and coaching staff. Despite their talent and potential, Texas fell short of expectations, and now the program will need to reflect on what went wrong and how to improve for next season.
First and foremost, the Longhorns will need to reassess their roster for the future. With several key players, including Marcus Carr, potentially leaving due to graduation or the NBA draft, Texas will need to reload with fresh talent. Recruiting will be paramount, as the Longhorns will need to find players who can help fill the gaps left by departing seniors and bolster their offensive and defensive schemes.
Additionally, the coaching staff will need to focus on improving the team’s consistency. This season, Texas had moments of brilliance but struggled to put it all together for a full 40 minutes. The ability to execute in crunch-time situations and make adjustments during the game will be crucial for the team’s future success. Building a culture of resilience and mental toughness will be essential to ensure the Longhorns don’t falter in future March Madness matchups.
Lastly, Texas will need to maintain their focus on player development. Coaches will work with returning players to help them refine their skills, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, and ensure that they are ready to contribute at the highest level.