Vic Schaefer And Texas Longhorns Hoping to End Final Four Drought vs. N.C. State

The Texas Longhorns are in the Elite Eight for the third time in four year's under head coach Vic Schaefer.

And after coming off of a dominant Friday night win over the Gonzaga Bulldogs - a win in which they looked every bit of a national championship contender - they are looking for more.

"We’re chasing a national championship," Schaefer said Saturday. "That’s our goal. It’s always been my goal. It’s the standard in every sport at Texas. And so it’s a miserable way to live, I can tell you because as you know, there’s only one team left when the year’s done.”

Standing in the way of the Horns, will be the N.C. State Wolfpack, who are looking to pull off what would be a major upset.

However, the Longhorns have battled tough environments and high expectations all season, and according to guard Shae Holley, they are ready for the challenge.

Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer talks to guard Shay Holle (10) during the basketball game | Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman /

“You have to focus on preparation and taking every game to heart because any team that’s at this point you have to respect and you know that they have put a lot of work in, too,” Holle said. “But I think also just knowing that we’ve worked to be in this moment, so you can’t play all tied up. Just have fun. It’s supposed to be fun. This is why we do what we do.”

That could be easier said than done, however, with the Longhorns still in the midst of a 20-plus-year Final Four drought.

In fact, the last time the Horns were in the Final Four was under former legendary head coach Jody Conradt in the 2002-2003 season - a task that Schaefer thinks is a lot tougher than most people realize.

“Coach Conradt … when we were walking yesterday out of the arena, she made a comment that really resonates with me. It’s the answer — there’s nothing like winning at this level,” Schaefer said. “Think about that. You can go a lot of places. Coach. Win. But there’s nothing like winning at this level. But it’s hard. People think it’s easy.”

The Longhorns and Wolfpack will tip off at 2 pm CT on ESPN.