Texas Longhorns Beat Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament, Advance to Play Texas A&M

The Texas Longhorns responded with their backs against the wall to beat the Vanderbilt Commodores and advance to the second round of the SEC Tournament.

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) drives up court past Vanderbilt Commodores guard Tyler Nickel (5) during the first half at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, March 12, 2025. / Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Texas Longhorns have officially lived to see another day of basketball as they look to keep their NCAA Tournament

Texas used a desperate effort to will itself past the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first round of the Essentially the unofficial road team, the Longhorns controlled the game throughout to advance to the second round, where they will play the Texas A&M Aggies on Thursday.

After being named SEC Freshman of the Year on Monday, Texas guard Tre Johnson finished with 19 points while Tramon Mark added 19 points of his own. The Longhorns led by as many as 18 and held off Vanderbilt's push in the second half.

Vanderbilt Commodores guard Jason Edwards (1) looks for an outlet as Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) guards during the first half at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, March 12, 2025. / Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"I think I've been saying this for the last week and a half or so. You got to get lost in the moment right now. It's about every possession right now," Texas head coach Rodney Terry told SEC Network after the game. "As a college basketball player, how you do not be excited about the month of March? That's when the memories are made. You make lifetime memories in March, it's like Christmas, right? It's the most wonderful time of the year."

Vanderbilt guard Jason Edwards had a game-high 21 points for the Commodores, who cut the lead to as little as seven after trailing throughout. Vanderbilt forward Jaylen Carey, who had 18 points and 14 rebounds in the first meeting against Texas, finished scoreless in 12 minutes on Wednesday.

Texas guard Jordan Pope added 14 points while Arthur Kaluma (11 points, seven rebounds) also finished in double figures.

Jayson Kent and Chendall Weaver had just two points between them but also combined for 16 of Texas' 34 rebounds.

The Longhorns and Aggies will tip-off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Thursday.

Join the Community:

Subscribe to our YouTube Page HERE

You can follow us for future coverage by subscribing to our newsletter here. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @LonghornsCountryOnSI & follow us on Twitter at @LonghornsSI

Other Texas Longhorns News:

feed