Sean Miller Asserts Texas Isn’t a Cinderella Despite Sweet 16 Triumph

Bassyonni

Published: March 22, 2026 12:07 AM ET

Sean Miller Asserts Texas Isn’t a Cinderella Despite Sweet 16 Triumph

In a surprising twist during the NCAA tournament, Sean Miller, head coach of Texas, dismissed the notion of his team as a Cinderella story. Following a 74-68 victory over Gonzaga, the 11th-seeded Longhorns advanced to the Sweet 16. This win marked their 11th NCAA tournament victory as a double-digit seed, a record since seeding began in 1979.

Texas Advances Confidently

Miller expressed pride in representing the University of Texas and its status within the SEC. “I don’t think we ever want to sign up to be the Cinderella story because we are the University of Texas,” he stated following the game.

The Longhorns’ triumph over Gonzaga came after defeating sixth-seeded BYU. Freshman AJ Dybantsa impressed with a remarkable 35-point performance in that earlier match. With this win, Miller improved his record to 9-1 in the round of 32, showcasing his expertise in this critical phase of the tournament.

A Historic Achievement

Miller now holds the best record in the round of 32 since the tournament expanded to 32 teams in 1975. His performance outshines notable coaches such as Mike Krzyzewski and Bob Knight.

Strength in Competition

Texas’s challenging regular-season schedule contributed to its tournament success. The Longhorns faced tough opponents, including Alabama, Missouri, Georgia, and Texas A&M. According to Miller, “There’s no easy game in the SEC. The league itself prepares you for the postseason.” This tough competition has strengthened the team significantly.

Key Players Shine

Resilience characterized Texas’s play, particularly from guard Jordan Pope. Despite rolling his ankle late in the game, Pope scored a crucial 3-pointer to extend Texas’s lead to 69-64. He finished with a team-high of 17 points.

Camden Heide contributed a key 3-pointer with 14 seconds remaining.
Matas Vokietaitis closed out the scoring with a transition layup.

As the team continues its journey in the NCAA tournament, Miller affirms, “We’re playing our best right now, and hopefully, we can keep going.”

Looking Ahead

With a strong foundation and a history of overcoming challenges, Texas aims to maintain its momentum as it approaches the next round. The Longhorns are poised to make a significant impact as they push further into the tournament.