Texas vs BYU

Texas stole this West Region matchup in the First Round, outlasting the No. 6 seed BYU in a battle of runs and droughts. The Longhorns built a commanding 17-point lead before the Cougars mounted a furious comeback. BYU erased a 51-66 deficit with an 8-2 run, cutting it to 59-68, but Texas answered with a decisive 9-2 surge to push the lead back to double digits. Down the stretch, Texas' poise proved decisive. Despite BYU's relentless pressure, Tramon Mark delivered ice in the Longhorns' veins, nailing four consecutive free throws in the final 18 seconds to seal a 79-71 victory at the neutral Moda Center. The Longhorns' depth and composure in crunch time proved too much for the upset-hungry Cougars.