As one of the top college basketball programs in the country, the Texas Longhorns have experienced their fair share of highs and lows in NCAA competition over the years. From heartbreaking losses to thrilling victories, here’s a closer look at some of the most memorable moments in Longhorns basketball history.
One of the program’s biggest highs came in 2003 when the Longhorns made it all the way to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament. Led by future NBA stars T.J. Ford and Royal Ivey, the team won four consecutive games to reach the final weekend of the tournament before ultimately falling to Syracuse in the national semifinal.
While that may have been a moment of triumph for the Longhorns, years of inconsistency and disappointment would follow. Despite fielding several talented rosters, the team would struggle to make deep runs in the tournament, often falling short early on.
Perhaps the lowest point in the program’s history came in 2016 when Texas failed to make the NCAA tournament altogether. It was the first time in nearly two decades that the Longhorns had missed out on the big dance, and the disappointment was palpable.
However, things began to turn around in the following years as the program brought in new talent and reinvigorated its approach to the game. In 2020, the Longhorns finally broke through with a return to the NCAA tournament, and though they fell in the opening round, the appearance was proof that the program was back on the upswing.
Looking ahead to the future, Longhorns fans have plenty to be excited about. With a talented roster and strong coaching staff, the program seems poised to make some noise in the coming years. Whether they can add another Final Four appearance to their resume remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that the Longhorns will continue to compete at the highest level of college basketball.
