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Texas Longhorns Edge BYU, Advance in NCAA Tournament

3/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Texas Longhorns won 79-71 against the BYU Cougars in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Matas Vokietaitis led Texas with 23 points and 16 rebounds, while AJ Dybantsa scored 35 points for BYU.
Texas established a 17-point lead but saw BYU cut the deficit to four points late in the game.
Tramon Mark's free throws secured the victory, marking Texas's second NCAA Tournament win under head coach Sean Miller.
Texas will next face either Gonzaga or Kennesaw State.

History

Historical Context

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament began in 1939 with eight teams, won by Oregon. Initially overshadowed by the National Invitation Tournament, it gained prestige after the NCAA banned teams from participating in both events in 1971. By 2021, the tournament expanded to 68 teams, reflecting its cultural significance in American sports and the growing competitiveness among college teams, as seen in Texas's recent victory over BYU.

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Story summary

The Texas Longhorns won 79-71 against the BYU Cougars in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Matas Vokietaitis led Texas with 23 points and 16 rebounds, while AJ Dybantsa scored 35 points for BYU.
Texas established a 17-point lead but saw BYU cut the deficit to four points late in the game.
Tramon Mark's free throws secured the victory, marking Texas's second NCAA Tournament win under head coach Sean Miller.
Texas will next face either Gonzaga or Kennesaw State.

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