In its largest comeback victory of the season, Xavier defeats Texas in the First Four.

March Madness, the annual spectacle that captivates basketball fans across the nation, has become synonymous with dramatic upsets, unforgettable moments, and stunning comebacks. The 2025 NCAA Tournament’s First Four lived up to its reputation, as Xavier University pulled off a remarkable, historic comeback victory over Texas in a thrilling contest. This win marked Xavier’s largest comeback victory of the season, and it quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament. The game was an intense display of determination, resilience, and basketball prowess, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement that makes March Madness so special.

As both teams fought for a spot in the main bracket of the NCAA Tournament, the stakes were high. Texas, a powerhouse program with a deep roster, entered the game as the favorite, while Xavier was determined to prove that they had the grit and determination to compete on the biggest stage. Little did anyone know, this matchup would be defined by an astonishing turn of events that would leave fans and analysts alike stunned.

The Build-Up to the First Four Matchup

Xavier entered the game with a solid season under their belt but had faced their fair share of challenges. The Musketeers had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the year but had struggled with consistency at times. Despite these ups and downs, they were a team full of potential, led by a talented group of upperclassmen and skilled freshmen. Texas, on the other hand, was a juggernaut in the Big 12, boasting an impressive regular-season record and a roster stacked with future NBA prospects. With a veteran coach, a tough defense, and an offense that could light up the scoreboard, Texas seemed poised to easily handle the First Four match against Xavier.

From the opening tip, it appeared that Texas would live up to its billing as the favorite. They came out with intensity, immediately establishing their dominance in both the paint and on the perimeter. Their defensive pressure was stifling, and their offense seemed unstoppable. Xavier, however, was not going to back down easily. They weathered the initial storm and found themselves in a dogfight that would ultimately set the stage for one of the most thrilling comebacks in NCAA Tournament history.

The Early Dominance of Texas

Texas began the game on a tear, with their big men controlling the inside and their guards pushing the tempo in transition. The Longhorns were hitting shots from all over the floor, and their defensive intensity was causing problems for Xavier. Texas seemed to be on their way to an easy victory, and the first half appeared to be nothing more than a formality.

Xavier, trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half, struggled to find any rhythm offensively. The Musketeers’ shots weren’t falling, and they were unable to break Texas’ suffocating defense. Xavier head coach Sean Miller called a series of timeouts to try and regroup his team, but every time the Musketeers made a small push, Texas answered with a clutch play or a key bucket.

By halftime, Xavier was staring down a substantial deficit. With the game on the line, the Musketeers were on the verge of an early exit from the tournament, and it seemed that Texas was in complete control. Yet, despite the challenges they faced, Xavier entered the locker room with a renewed sense of belief and determination. They knew that if they were going to make history, they would have to dig deep in the second half and show a level of resilience that they had not yet displayed this season.

The Second Half: A Complete Shift in Momentum

The second half of the game began, and it was immediately clear that Xavier was a different team. The Musketeers came out with a sense of urgency, knowing that their tournament dreams were on the line. Their defense tightened up, and they began to get stops on Texas, forcing the Longhorns into difficult shots and turnovers. The offensive execution also improved dramatically. The Musketeers started hitting their shots, particularly from beyond the arc, and began to chip away at Texas’ lead.

Xavier’s sophomore guard KyKy Tandy was a key figure in the resurgence. Known for his scoring ability, Tandy had struggled in the first half but came out of the break firing on all cylinders. He made several clutch three-pointers and finished at the rim, cutting into the Texas lead one possession at a time. His scoring outburst energized the entire team, and the Xavier crowd, which had been quiet for much of the game, erupted as their team began to mount a serious challenge.

As Xavier continued to claw their way back into the game, the Longhorns seemed to lose their composure. Texas was no longer able to dictate the pace, and Xavier was gaining confidence with every stop and bucket. The momentum had officially shifted, and the game was quickly becoming a high-stakes thriller.

Zach Freemantle, Xavier’s standout junior forward, also played a key role in the comeback. Freemantle, known for his ability to score inside and rebound, began to assert himself in the post, overpowering Texas defenders with his physicality. He scored several crucial baskets and pulled down vital rebounds, helping the Musketeers to control the flow of the game. Freemantle’s performance was a perfect complement to Tandy’s shooting, and the two of them became the catalysts for the dramatic comeback.

With just over five minutes remaining, Xavier had cut the Texas lead down to just five points, and the tension in the arena was palpable. The Longhorns were struggling to find answers to the relentless attack from Xavier, and the once-confident Texas team seemed to be unraveling. The pressure of the moment was beginning to take its toll on the Longhorns, and they were no longer executing at the same high level they had in the first half.

The Final Minutes: A Stunner

As the game entered its final stages, Xavier continued to surge. With under two minutes to play, the Musketeers had completed their comeback, tying the game at 70-70. The crowd was on its feet, sensing that history was being made right before their eyes.

Texas, now in a state of shock, struggled to respond. The Longhorns had lost their momentum and could not stop the Xavier offense from scoring. The Musketeers, led by Tandy and Freemantle, continued to attack the basket and force the issue. With under 30 seconds to go, Xavier took their first lead of the game, 74-72, after a clutch three-pointer by Adam Kunkel. The shot sent the Xavier bench into a frenzy, and the crowd erupted in celebration.

Texas had one last chance to tie or win the game, but the Musketeers’ defense stood tall. The Longhorns had a final possession, but a missed three-pointer by their star guard sealed the game for Xavier. As the buzzer sounded, the Xavier players and coaches rushed the court, celebrating their historic comeback victory over a Texas team that seemed invincible just a half-hour earlier.

Xavier’s Largest Comeback of the Season

This victory was not just a great win for Xavier; it was the largest comeback of the season for the Musketeers. Overcoming a deficit as large as 18 points, Xavier showed resilience, grit, and the ability to play their best basketball when it mattered most. The team’s collective effort, led by Tandy, Freemantle, and Kunkel, proved that they could hang with the best and that they had the heart and determination to make a deep run in the tournament.

For head coach Sean Miller, the win was a testament to the character of his players. “We believed in ourselves,” said Miller after the game. “We never stopped fighting. Texas is a tremendous team, and to come back from such a big deficit is a special achievement for this group. We’ll carry this momentum into the next round.”

The Aftermath: A Defining Moment for Xavier’s Tournament Run

As the Musketeers moved on to the next round of the NCAA Tournament, their comeback victory over Texas became a defining moment of their season. The win not only propelled them into the main bracket but also gave them the confidence they needed to believe they could compete with any team in the tournament. Xavier’s historic comeback was one of the most thrilling moments of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, and it solidified their place as a team to watch moving forward.

For Texas, the loss was a gut-punch, as the Longhorns had been firmly in control for much of the game. Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Texas would have to regroup and refocus for future seasons. However, for Xavier, this game was a statement—a declaration that they were more than capable of achieving greatness on the biggest stage.

As the tournament progressed, Xavier’s victory over Texas would be remembered as one of the classic upsets in NCAA Tournament history, and it would serve as the spark for their potential run to the Final Four and beyond. For now, the Musketeers could bask in the glory of a well-deserved victory, knowing that their remarkable comeback had made March Madness even more unforgettable.