NC State vs Texas: First Four Showdown

0:00On March 15, NC State men's basketball earned an at-large bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament as an 11-seed in the West Regional. They faced fellow 11-seed Texas in the first four matchup in Dayton on Tuesday, March 17. The game broadcasts on True TV, though tip-off remains unannounced. The winner moves on to play sixth-seed BYU in Portland on Thursday. This marks the Wolfpacks' 30th NCAA Tournament appearance in their third in the last four seasons. They carry a strong, all-time record of 41 wins and 28 losses. The teams have met six times before, with Texas holding a 4-to-2 edge, including a tournament victory over NC State back in 2006. They clashed earlier this season, too, when Texas won 102-98 in the Maui Invitational. After reaching the final four in 2024, NC State returns to the dance hungry for another deep run, setting the stage for an exciting, opening battle.