Texas Battles Back, Comes Up Short to Tennessee in March Madness Thriller

The Texas Longhorns scrapped and clawed with the No. 2-seeded Tennessee Volunteers but bowed out in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

March 23, 2024, Charlotte, NC, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2). / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The emotions leading up to Saturday's second-round March Madness matchup between the Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers couldn't be overstated enough. Rodney Terry was set to do battle with longtime former mentor Rick Barnes under the bright lights of the NCAA Tournament, and both coaches admitted it was a head-to-head scenario they'd like to avoid.

The two embraced each other with a smile as the final buzzer went off, but it's Barnes who will be advancing to the Sweet 16.

The No. 7-seeded Longhorns rallied back in the second half after being down as many as 12 to make for a thrilling finish, but No. 2 seed Tennessee held on for a 62-58 win in a game that was as physical as they come.

"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," Terry said. "I love my guys, and I love their effort tonight."

March 23, 2024, Charlotte, NC, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Max Abmas (3) brings the ball up court against the Tennessee Volunteers. / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee star guard Dalton Knecht fought off a slow start and scored a game-high 18 points, including four clutch free throws in the final 10 seconds that helped the Vols seal the win.

"I wanted the ball in my hands," said Knecht of closing out the game at the foul line.

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. Dylan Disu (12 points, four rebounds, three steals) and Max Abmas (10 points, eight rebounds) struggled from the floor, but came up with crucial plays in the closing frame to give the 'Horns a chance.

"To be able to push through as a team, come together, and be as connected as we were down the stretch to get to this point, it means the world to all of us," Disu said. "I'm so happy I was able to come to this tournament one more time with my teammates for this university, for the state."

The Volunteers got big-time efforts from the frontcourt as well, as Jonas Aidoo (11 points, four rebounds) and Tobe Awaka (10 points, five rebounds) were a force on both ends. Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler went just 2 of 12 from the floor, but had six points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals in an all-around effort. Josiah-Jordan James stepped up in crucial moments as well before finishing with nine points and nine rebounds.

Both sides had a lid on the basket to start off, but the difference in the first half was 11 turnovers by Texas. Tennessee led 14-8 with 10 minutes to play in the first half, but Texas used a 6-0 run to prevent the Vols from pulling away early. Tennessee then used a 10-0 run and some strong defense in the closing minutes of the first half before heading into the locker room with a 28-19 lead.

The Longhorns struggled to find any offense coming out of halftime, as the Vols built a double-digit lead at 34-23. Thanks to seven points from Weaver within about a three-minute stretch, Texas kept the game from getting out of hand in a hurry. This point in the game proved critical for the Longhorns, who started clicking on offense at the right time.

Brock Cunningham hit a catch-and-shoot 3 with 11:55 to go, Weaver hit two more free throws and a layup and Disu nailed a pair of free throws to cap a 9-1 run. Suddenly, it was just a four-point Tennessee lead at 41-37 with 10 minutes to play.

March 23, 2024, Charlotte, NC, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Dylan Disu (1) is defended by Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht. / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

After Knecht had a poster dunk over Disu, Abmas came down and got free for his second triple of the game to cut the lead to three at 45-42 with 7:11 left. Knecht and James answered with two more 3s of their own to balloon the lead to nine, but Hunter quickly got two layups in under 30 seconds to bring it back to five with 3:41 to play.

Disu struggled from behind the arc all night, but hit a huge 3 with 2:16 left to make it 55-51. A quick miss from Knecht allowed Hunter to get to the rim again and cut the lead to two. But after getting another defensive stop with a chance to tie the game, the Longhorns came up heart-breakingly close to making it 55-all on a play that will haunt Texas fans all offseason.

Coming out of the timeout with 1:20 to play, Disu's floater rimmed out and Hunter nearly had a putback on the follow, but it rattled out as well. The Longhorns were then forced to foul, as Aidoo and Knecht hit seven big free throws to close out the game.

Texas' first full season under Terry is over. The Longhorns will now head into the offseason with players like Abmas, Disu, Cunningham and Ithiel Horton all departing due to eligibility. Terry and staff's roster rebuild begins now.