Texas won its first national championship in 1986. Thirty-nine years later, the road to a second title extends past the Austin city limits.

Wins over Vanderbilt and Texas A&M were enough to punch the NCAA Tournament ticket for the Texas Longhorns. UT will play Xavier in March Madness 2025.

ESPN's version of Bracketology paints a darker future. Writer Joe Lunardi updated his bracket forecast late Saturday evening has Texas as one of the first four out of the Big Dance. ESPN's Neil Paine has a slightly different take, Texas has a 63% to get into the field.