Gonzaga vs. Texas: NCAA Tournament Round of 32 Preview & Betting Odds

March 22, 2026 Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor Entertainment

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Gonzaga Bulldogs survived a first-round scare against Kennesaw State, winning 73-64 on Thursday and now face a significant challenge in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the No. 11 seed Texas Longhorns on Saturday.

Gonzaga (31-3) is aiming to return to the second weekend of the tournament after a disappointing first-round exit last year. The Bulldogs, despite their impressive record and a final West Coast Conference championship before their move to the Pac-12 in 2026-27, know they’ll need a strong performance to overcome a Texas team that has surged into the tournament’s second round.

Texas (20-14) wasn’t widely projected to reach this stage, having lost four of their last five regular season games and falling to Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament. However, a dramatic game-winning shot from guard Tramon Mark in the First Four against NC State propelled them into the 64-team field, where they upset No. 6 seed BYU, dominating for over 39 minutes and eliminating potential No. 1 NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa in the process.

The matchup pits Gonzaga head coach Mark Few against Sean Miller, a familiar opponent. Few holds a 4-3 record against Miller during his tenure at Arizona, and too secured a victory over him when he coached at Xavier in 2022, winning 88-84. This will be the third school Miller has coached against Few.

Few acknowledged the difficulty of the matchup, stating Texas possesses “everything. the resources, student population.” He also highlighted the Longhorns’ physicality, particularly the challenge posed by 6-foot-10 center Matas Vokietaitis. “It’s going to be a really, really tough task,” Few said, noting Vokietaitis has drawn more fouls than almost any other player in the country this season.

Gonzaga will rely heavily on All-American Graham Ike, who Few praised for his dedication to preparation and physical conditioning. Ike’s perform ethic, honed after an injury during his time at Wyoming, is crucial for navigating a long tournament run. Senior wings Jalen Warley and Tyon Grant-Foster will also be key contributors for the Bulldogs.

The game is scheduled for Saturday at 4:10 p.m. PT at the Moda Center in Portland, where Gonzaga is expected to have significant fan support. The winner will advance to the Sweet 16 to face the victor of Sunday’s game between No. 2 seed Purdue and No. 7 seed Miami.

As of Friday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists Gonzaga as a 6.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 147.5. Gonzaga’s moneyline is -265, while Texas is at +215.