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For Sean Miller, the difference is clear.
“It’s just a huge difference between being in that round and just entering the tournament,” Miller said after Texas Longhorns advanced with a 74-68 win over Gonzaga Bulldogs. “Having the opportunity to play through another week…that’s what makes it special.”
Texas earned that opportunity with one of its cleanest performances of the season, finishing with 20 assists and just five turnovers.
“There’s nothing that we talk more about right now than the value of limiting turnovers,” Miller said. “If you play an NCAA Tournament game with 20 assists and five turnovers, you certainly have to feel good about your offense.”
That control showed up in key moments.
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Miller pointed to Jordan Pope, who delivered late despite rolling his ankle.
“I don’t know if there’s too many guards that are playing at a higher level than Jordan Pope,” Miller said. “He can change the game from the three-point line.”
Inside, Texas found answers through Matas Vokietaitis.
“We had to test Matas and just see if he could deliver,” Miller said. “He did a great job.”
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The biggest moment came on a broken possession late, when Miller made a quick call to insert Camden Heide.
“I might have even said, I’m putting you in to make a shot,” Miller said. “When it happens, it’s almost too good to be true.”
For Miller, the performance reflects something building over time.
“Our ride has never been easy,” he said. “But we have fought the good fight the whole way.”
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Now, Texas moves on as a team playing its best when it matters most.
“We’re a much better team right now than we would have been a month ago,” Miller said. “We’re playing our best right now.”
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