March Madness: Longhorns Eliminated, Elite 8 Game Times Released

The Texas Longhorns may be out of the NCAA Tournament, but March Madness marches on

March 23, 2024, Charlotte, NC, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Jahmai Mashack (15) and Texas / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

A bundle of heavyweights in the NCAA Tournament fell as the Elite Eight field is set for Sunday.

All eight of the top-seeded college basketball teams survived into the Sweet 16, marking only the fifth time since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985. 

Then on Friday, two of those No. 1 seeds (UNC, Houston) lost while three of the four No. 2 seeds (Arizona, Iowa State, Marquette) were defeated as well.

March 23, 2024, Charlotte, NC, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Jahmai Mashack (15) and Texas / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

In the Round of 32, the Texas Longhorns made it tough for the No. 2-seed Tennessee Volunteers. In a defensive and physical battle, Tennessee defeated No. 7 Texas, 62-58, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Sunday night at FedEx Forum in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

The Longhorns finish the season at 21-13 with an attitude of gratitude. 

“These guys had a heck of a year,” said coach Rodney Terry. “We got better and better as the season went along. They really persevered through some adversity at times, and they just stayed the course.”
“I’m just so proud of how they carried themselves all season long, on the court, off the court, and I can't be prouder of a group that I've had a chance to be a part of and work with every single day and coach.”

The Longhorns rallied back in the second half after being down as many as 12 to make for a down-to-the-wire ending.  Texas guards Tyrese Hunter and Chendall Weaver both finished with a team-high 13 points, with Hunter scoring nine in the final 4:11 of action. 

There is still a lot of basketball to be played to determine the 2024 National Champion. The reigning-champion UConn Huskies and Purdue Boilermakers look tough to beat while No. 11 NC State is the only double-digit seeded team left competing. Game times are below. 

Saturday, March 30 - Broadcast on TBS/truTV
* No. 1 UConn vs. No. 3 Illinois, 6:09 p.m. ET
* No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 6 Clemson, 8:49 p.m. ET

Sunday, March 31 - Broadcast on CBS
* No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 2 Tennessee, 2:20 p.m. ET
* No. 4 Duke vs. No. 11 NC State, 5:05 p.m. ET