The low seeding of men’s teams from historically Black universities like Texas Southern often means they must prove they belong in the field even after they’ve proved they belong.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Finally, a taut game began to turn in Texas Southern’s favor. An automatic bid to the N.C.A.A. basketball tournament was within reach. An assistant coach knelt at the Texas Southern bench as if to start a decisive sprint to the finish line.