The Texas Longhorns and Xavier Musketeers are set to face off in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament. Both teams are coming off losses in their respective conference tournaments but have shown promise throughout the season. Texas finished with a disappointing 6-12 conference record but only lost three games to non-SEC opponents. The Longhorns are battle-tested after playing in the tough Southeastern Conference. Xavier, on the other hand, put up a good fight in the Big East Tournament, losing by only two points to a strong Marquette team.
One player to watch in this matchup is Tre Johnson of the Texas Longhorns. The freshman led his team in scoring, averaging 19.8 points per game, ranking 21st in the nation. Johnson is considered a big-time prospect and has the potential to move up the NBA draft boards with a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament. While he can be streaky at times, Johnson has shown his scoring ability, with a total of 39 points in his previous two games before the loss to Tennessee.
On the Xavier side, Zach Freemantle is the leading scorer for the Musketeers. Freemantle, along with Ryan Conwell, gives Xavier a strong one-two punch that could pose challenges for their opponents in tournament play. Freemantle is versatile, contributing both in the paint and from beyond the arc. Standing at 6’9″, he has the ability to knock down threes, adding to Xavier’s offensive firepower.
The winner of this First Four matchup will advance to the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament and face a tough No. 6 seed Illinois. Both teams are aware of the stakes in this win-or-go-home game, with every possession crucial in determining their postseason fate. As the excitement of March Madness builds, fans can catch all the action live on truTV or stream the game on Sling.
Don’t miss the showdown between the Texas Longhorns and Xavier Musketeers on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 9:10 PM ET. Both teams will be looking to make a statement and advance in the NCAA Tournament. With key players like Tre Johnson and Zach Freemantle leading the way, this First Four matchup promises to be an exciting battle between two talented teams. Tune in to witness the intensity of tournament basketball and see which team will earn the opportunity to compete in the Round of 64.
