Ryan McFadden
Multiple Authors
PORTLAND, Ore. — Don’t inform coach Sean Miller that Eleventh-seeded Texas is a Cinderella group, even when this system’s 74-68 upset victory over third-seeded Gonzaga suggests in any other case.
Moments after the Longhorns superior to the Sweet 16 on Saturday by incomes their Eleventh NCAA match victory as a double-digit seed, probably the most of any program since seeding started in 1979, Miller made it identified that he would not view his group because the underdogs of the match.
“I don’t think we ever want to sign up to be the Cinderella story, because we are the University of Texas, and what we represent in the SEC,” Miller stated confidently.
Miller had each proper to flex. Texas’ win over the Bulldogs got here after it had defeated sixth-seeded BYU within the first spherical despite a 35-point efficiency from freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa.
The former Arizona and (*16*) coach has improved to 9-1 (together with vacated video games) within the spherical of 32 and has gained his previous 9 video games. Miller’s report within the spherical of 32 is the very best any coach has had for the reason that match expanded to 32 groups in 1975 (minimal 10 video games), forward of Mike Krzyzewski (26-6) and Bob Knight (14-4).
Miller is a frequent customer to the Sweet 16, however he’s the primary Longhorns coach to get there in his first season.
Miller credited the Longhorns’ inflexible regular-season convention schedule, which featured victories over Alabama, Missouri, Georgia and Texas A&M, as an indicator that they’re outfitted to make a run.
“There’s no easy game in the SEC. The league itself prepares you for the postseason,” stated Miller. “… Sometimes the lessons you learned along the way strengthen you. We’re a much better team right now than we would have been a month ago.”
Texas turned the sixth group to begin within the First Four and attain the Sweet 16 for the reason that First Four started in 2011. The Longhorns would not have been in a position to accomplish the feat with out the resilience of guard Jordan Pope.
Pope, who completed with a team-best 17 factors, rolled on his ankle across the five-minute mark of regulation. And despite limping throughout the hardwood for the rest of regulation, Pope managed to return via within the clutch but once more. With 2:31 to go, he was positioned on the high of the important thing when he nailed a 3-pointer to present Texas a 69-64 lead.
Texas did not rating once more till the 14-second mark, when ahead Camden Heide transformed a 3-pointer from the nook, adopted by a transition layup by heart Matas Vokietaitis to solidify the win.
“We’re playing our best right now, and hopefully we can keep going,” Miller stated.
