Last Texas Team To Win Ncaa Basketball Championship
College basketball is one of the most exciting sports to watch, with teams competing fiercely to win the NCAA championship. The state of Texas has a proud basketball history, with several teams that have come close to winning the championship but only one that has taken home the title. The last Texas team to win the NCAA basketball championship was the Texas Longhorns, who accomplished the feat in 1966.
The Texas Longhorns Basketball Program
The Texas Longhorns basketball program has a rich history, dating back to the early 1900s. The team has made over 30 appearances in the NCAA tournament, with their last appearance in 2018. The team has also won several conference championships, including 25 in the Southwest Conference and 4 in the Big 12 Conference. However, the team's greatest achievement came in 1966 when they won their first and only NCAA championship.
The 1966 Championship Run
The 1966 NCAA tournament was a historic one for the Texas Longhorns. They entered the tournament with a record of 22-5 and were led by head coach Jody Conradt. The team was anchored by their star player, 6'6" forward Jim "Bad News" Barnes, who was the team's leading scorer and rebounder.
The Longhorns faced tough competition throughout the tournament, but they were able to prevail thanks to their strong defense and Barnes' dominant play. They defeated their first-round opponent, Oklahoma City, by a score of 89-74, and then went on to beat SMU in the second round by a score of 80-63. In the regional semifinals, they faced Kansas State and won by a score of 81-66.
The Longhorns' toughest challenge came in the regional finals, where they faced the defending NCAA champions, Michigan. The game was back-and-forth, but Texas was able to pull out a close 80-76 victory thanks to Barnes' 29 points and 16 rebounds.
The Longhorns advanced to the Final Four, where they faced Duke in the semifinals. The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to score. However, Barnes was once again the difference-maker, scoring 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to lead Texas to a 81-69 victory.
In the championship game, the Longhorns faced Kentucky, who were heavy favorites to win the title. However, Texas was able to pull off the upset thanks to Barnes' dominant performance. He scored 20 points and grabbed 22 rebounds, leading the Longhorns to a 72-65 victory and their first NCAA championship in school history.
The Legacy of the 1966 Texas Longhorns
The 1966 Texas Longhorns basketball team will always be remembered as one of the greatest teams in college basketball history. They were able to overcome tough competition and win the NCAA championship, led by their star player, Jim Barnes. The team's victory was also significant because it was the first time that a team from the state of Texas had won the NCAA championship.
The legacy of the 1966 Texas Longhorns is still felt today, as the team's championship run continues to inspire future generations of basketball players. The team's success also helped to establish the Texas Longhorns basketball program as a perennial contender, with the team making multiple appearances in the NCAA tournament in the years since their championship victory.
The Future of Texas Basketball
The Texas Longhorns basketball program has had its ups and downs since their 1966 championship victory, but the future looks bright for the team. The Longhorns are currently led by head coach Shaka Smart, who has a track record of success at the collegiate level.
The team has also recruited several talented players in recent years, including 5-star forward Greg Brown, who is considered one of the top high school players in the country. With a strong coach and talented players, the Longhorns could be poised for a deep run in the NCAA tournament in the coming years.
Conclusion
The last Texas team to win the NCAA basketball championship was the 1966 Texas Longhorns. Led by star player Jim Barnes, the Longhorns were able to overcome tough competition and win the championship for the first time in school history. The legacy of the 1966 Longhorns is still felt today, as it continues to inspire future generations of basketball players in Texas and beyond.