Xavier's Electric Comeback Win Over Texas Has Basketball Fans Primed for More Madness

The excitement after this one is palpable.

Xavier's Zach Freemantle hangs from the rim after a dunk in Xavier's 84–80 win over Texas. | CBS Sports / X / Screensho

Xavier came back from an 8-point deficit at the half to excitedly defeat Texas in the First Four on Wednesday night, rallying hard for an 86–80 win despite a slow start.

It was a game that exemplified what fans love about March Madness—the fact that anything can happen—and the reaction online was one of genuine astonishment as well as excitement for the first round starting tomorrow.

Take a look at that below:

What a game. What a win by Xavier. Everyone get their sleep. Tomorrow is the start of the best 4 days of the year.

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 20, 2025

This Xavier/Texas game pic.twitter.com/WX7QMKJGM3

— Sam Federman (@Sam_Federman) March 20, 2025

Xavier-Texas kicking off March Madness riiiigggghhtt pic.twitter.com/vh1bbG33Q7

— br_betting (@br_betting) March 20, 2025

What a comeback from Xavier, and what a performance from Marcus Foster. The Musketeers dug deep and got the stops they needed late. I can’t wait to do this again in 12 hours … ONE MORE SLEEP!!!

— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) March 20, 2025

Xavier Texas is exactly what March Madness should be. God I love this so much #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/1XGtyUVLEB

— Marty Ledbetter (@MartySportsball) March 20, 2025

Xavier to Texas: pic.twitter.com/zGB5y3s5xg

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) March 20, 2025

XAVIER LEADS pic.twitter.com/fvTmJme1E3

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 20, 2025

Xavier. Sharpie.

— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 20, 2025

Xavier thank you for your contribution to the Big East tournament credit pool pic.twitter.com/0kcYSARL1B

— No Escalators (@NoEscalators) March 20, 2025

Xavier will now advance to the first round to face Illinois on March 21, while the rest of the madness kicks off Thursday with Louisville and Creighton at 12:15 p.m. ET.