Texas Longhorns

Texas Longhorns March run inspired by Andrew Jones

Published Mar. 11, 2018 9:11 p.m. ET

Texas is back in the NCAA Tournament after missing out last year and surviving the pressure of a late-season stretch on the bubble. The Longhorns are the No. 10 seed in the South Region and will play No. 7 Nevada.

The Longhorns' season was rocked by the January announcement that team leader Andrew Jones had leukemia and immediately began treatment. Late in the season, Texas removed shooting guard Eric Davis Jr., from the lineup after his name surfaced in a report suggesting he'd taken money from an agent representative.

Jones is living in Houston while he continues his treatments. He was on a video call with his teammates when Texas was announced as a tournament team.

"He wanted this so bad for us, since last summer," junior guard Kerwin Roach II.

And standout freshman center Mo Bamba, one of the best shot blockers in the country, says he's recovered from a sprained left toe and is ready to play and missing all or part of the last three games.

"This has been, for us, a season unlike any other," Texas coach Shaka Smart said. "Now here we are. We are super excited about what's next."

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