AUSTIN, Texas — Xavier University in Ohio and the University of Texas first met in a men's basketball game in 1982.
The Longhorns won that first meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio, 97-71.
The Longhorns dropped the return game in Austin in 1983, 66-64 in overtime.
These two basketball programs didn't meet again for seven years, this time at Reunion Arena in Dallas for an epic NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game.
In that game, Tom Penders' Longhorns trailed by a dozen points at halftime. UT's BMW – Lance Blanks, Travis Mays and Joey Wright – led the Longhorns on a furious rally in the second half. The BMW combined for 86 points in UT's 102-89 win over Xavier.
That win propelled Texas into an elite eight matchup against then-Southwest Conference rival, Arkansas.
These two proud programs met 14 years later in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.
Rick Barnes' Longhorns trailed 74-71 with 3.9 seconds remaining in Atlanta, GA. Barnes received two technical fouls after protesting a foul called on P.J. Tucker.
The Musketeers advanced and Texas lost, 79-71.
Fifteen years later, on a much smaller stage, Xavier and Texas will meet in the Sweet 16 in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
The two teams have a combined 36-31 overall record this season. UT will host the Musketeers on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Frank Erwin Center.
If UT beats Xavier, the Longhorns will host an NIT quarterfinal against the winner of Norfolk State vs. Colorado.
The four winners of the NIT quarterfinals will travel to Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Texas won the NIT in 1978, under former head coach, the late Abe Lemons.