Record: 24-9

Coach: Tom Penders

Best players: G Travis Mays (24.1 ppg), G Lance Blanks (20.3 ppg, 2.7 spg), G Joey Wright (19.5 ppg, 3.8 apg).

During the regular season: Big things were expected as the Longhorns’ No. 22 preseason ranking was their first in nine seasons. They didn’t disappoint in a tough Southwest Conference, finishing third behind Arkansas and Houston. The Longhorns lost back-to-back games only once and finished strongly with six victories in their final seven regular-season games before they were eliminated by Houston in the second round of the SWC tournament.

NCAA history: The Longhorns claimed victories against Georgia and Purdue (in the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis) to qualify for their first Sweet 16 since 1979. They then beat Xavier, 102-89, as Mays, Blanks and Wright combined for 86 points. But their first trip to the Elite Eight in 43 seasons was ruined when Arkansas notched an 88-85 victory for their third triumph over UT that season.

What makes them special: Texas’ storied “BMW” offense of Blanks, Mays and Wright helped restore interest in basketball for the program along with making the coaching career of Tom Penders. The Longhorns’ entertaining offense and Penders’ candor made them one of the most memorable and exciting teams in the history of the Southwest Conference.

Record: 31-3

Coach: Guy Lewis

Best players: F-G Michael Young (17.3 ppg), G Clyde Drexler (15.9 ppg), C Akeem Olajuwon (13.9 ppg).

During the regular season: After losing back-to-back games to Syracuse and Virginia, the Cougars ran off 22 straight victories and claimed the No. 1 position in the poll for the final three weeks of the regular season.

NCAA history: After winning their first four games, including a titanic dunkfest against Louisville in the semifinals, the Cougars unraveled late in the national championship game against North Carolina State. Lorenzo Charles’ late put-back dunk at the buzzer enabled the underdog Wolfpack to escape with a stunning victory.

What makes them special: Known for their incredible athleticism, the Cougars are still known today as Phi Slama Jama, Texas’ tallest fraternity. With Hall of Famers Drexler and Olajuwon along with Larry “Mr. Mean” Micheaux and legendary streak shooter Bennie Anders off the bench, Guy Lewis’ team might be among the most famous teams never to win the NCAA title.