Longhorns arrive in Charlotte, aiming for another deep NCAA Tournament run

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (KXAN) — The 2023 Texas men's basketball team hit their stride at just the right time advancing to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. While this year's group doesn't carry the same momentum into March Madness, they know everything they want is still in front of them.

No. 7 seed Texas will open up what they hope is another lengthy run in the tournament Thursday at 5:50 p.m. against No. 10 seed Colorado State at Charlotte's Spectrum Center.

"We're excited about this opportunity," Longhorns head coach Rodney Terry said. "March Madness doesn't get any better than this time of year. I think our guys are hungry."

"I think this is what we've been working for all year since the summer," Longhorns forward Kadin Shedrick said. "I think that we've shown growth, especially in the latter stages of the season."

Players like Dylan Disu, Tyrese Hunter and Dillon Mitchell return from the Elite Eight team a season ago. The Longhorns now boast some additions who are in their first NCAA Tournament.

"I'm going to be honest, usually in a time like this, I'd be home, in the gym or watching the games," Longhorns guard Ithiel Horton said. "To be here and to be a part of this, it's unreal."

Horton said he asked sixth-year senior Brock Cunningham about the atmosphere surrounding March Madness at a team dinner Tuesday night. Cunningham, in his fourth tournament run, is happy to impart wisdom to the first-timers.

"I embrace it quite a bit," Cunningham said about his leadership and tutelage role. "[I] learned a lot along the entire way and just try to pass that forward. Information that I wish I had for my first NCAA Tournament."

"I love having Brock," Longhorns sophomore guard Chendall Weaver said. "Being able to play with him, learn from him. The 'Glue Guys' is what we're known by. It just means a lot and he's helped me with my communication a lot."