Dylan Disu shares his thoughts on his record-setting performance to reach Sweet Sixteen

Texas forward Dylan Disu joined some elite company on Saturday in a record-setting performance against Penn State in the second round of March Madness. Disu finished with 14 field goals — a school record in the NCAA Tournament — and season-high 28 points as the Longhorns won 71-66 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

Disu’s scoring output was also the second most in the program’s NCAA Tournament history behind only Kevin Durant. Speaking postgame following the win, he gave credit to his teammates for putting him position to do what he did.

“Just my teammates and coach (Rodney Terry) and the whole coaching staff encouraging me to get to my spots and take open shots,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do and my teammates have been finding me. They’ve been amazing. I couldn’t do it without them.”

In addition to his 28 points, Disu also pulled down 10 rebounds for a double-double. He addressed what it means to put his name in the record book alongside players like Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge.

“It’s great company to have,” he said. “Those guys are legends. They came down and spent some time with us this year. I just hope we can make them proud this tournament run.”

The Sweet Sixteen appearance is the first for Texas since 2008, when it advanced all the way to the Elite Eight. The Longhorns will hope for similar results this season as they prepare for next week.

More on Texas’ win against Penn State

Other than Dylan Disu, only two Texas players finished in double figures. Sir’Jabari Rice was the next highest scorer with 13 points, while Marcus Carr added 10. Big man Timmy Allen nearly joined Disu with a double-double, finishing with nine points and a team-high 12 rebounds.

The Longhorns led for most of the second half before Penn State took a 56-55 lead with just over five minutes remaining. But after another basket from the Nittany Lions, Disu responded with three straight buckets of his own to help Texas take the lead for good.

The Longhorns shot an efficient 31-of-61 (50.8%) in the win and will hope they can stay hot as they search for their first Final Four since 2003. Before that, though, Texas moves on to face the winner of Xavier and Pittsburgh in the Sweet Sixteen. Thanks to the performance from Disu, the Longhorns will certainly enter that matchup with their confidence high.