The SEC’s basketball journey in the postseason started with a resounding thud. Texas, the team many pegged as a team that could get to the round of 32, crumbled under pressure, blowing a 13-point lead against Xavier heartbreakingly. The final score? 86-80, Xavier.
But this wasn’t just any loss. It was a collapse of epic proportions. Texas had this game. They had it locked up, and fans were already looking into how they match-up with Illinois. And then, somehow, it all slipped away.
Texas' Stars Shine, But Not Bright Enough
Tre Johnson put on a show for the Longhorns, dropping 23 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep. His aggressive play kept Texas ahead for most of the game, and for a while, it looked like his efforts would be enough. Tramon Mark chipped in 16 points and 5 assists, and Kadin Shedrick made his presence known with 11 points and 7 rebounds. The stats were there, but when it mattered most, the efficiency wasn’t.
Texas won the boards, outrebounding Xavier 33-28. They hit their free throws at a respectable 75% clip. And still, it wasn’t enough.
Xavier's Grit and Resolve
For the Musketeers, Marcus Foster was a revelation. His 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting and 4-of-5 from three-point range was the stuff of dreams. Every time Texas looked like they might pull away, Foster buried a jumper that yanked them right back.
But this wasn’t just a one-man show. Zach Freemantle contributed 15 points, Dailyn Swain and Dayvion McKnight added 11 each, and Ryan Conwell chipped in with 11 of his own. It was a balanced, unrelenting attack that Texas couldn’t quite figure out.
And then there was the finishing kick. Xavier closed the game on a 16-6 run, something they hadn’t accomplished all season — overcoming a double-digit deficit.
The SEC’s Early Stumble
For the SEC, starting the postseason 0-1 is not just a bad look. It’s ammunition for those who said the SEC is overrated. 13 other teams, including Kentucky, will get their chance to show the haters they were wrong. For now, Texas will let them all chirp for the next 12 hours.
Texas, a team with so much promise, is now gone. Their dreams of a deep run have evaporated, and one of the nation's best freshman in Tre Johnson is going home.
What’s Next?
Xavier, meanwhile, marches on, brimming with confidence and momentum. They’ll face Illinois next, a team that better be prepared for a squad riding the high of a miraculous comeback.
The SEC? They better hope this was just a blip. Because the road only gets tougher from here.