Texas Senator Ted Cruz is becoming the new Drake; not in terms of popularity, but when it comes to jinxing sports teams. First, he was blamed for the Houston Rockets’ Game 7 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the 2018 NBA Playoffs, and now he is being blamed for jinxing the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the 2019 NCAA Tournament Final.
Cruz was in attendance at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the national championship game.
Unfortunately, the No. 3 seed Red Raiders fell short to No. 1 seed Virginia in overtime as the Cavaliers raised claimed the national championship for the first time in program history.
As you would expect, Cruz was blamed, especially after posting “35 seconds. ONE point LEAD. GO RED RAIDERS!!! #1 Defense,” on Twitter.
We all know what happened next.
Texas Tech expanded its lead to three points but then projected lottery pick D’Andre Hunter nailed a three-pointer to even the score for Virginia with 12 seconds to go. Once the game was in overtime, the Cavaliers were able to pull away. Cruz responded to the unfortunate turn.
“A heartbreaking loss, but an AMAZING game,” Cruz said after the game. “Congrats to @TexasTechMBB for a history-making season. Overtime in the National Championship — all of Texas is proud of you. #GunsUp.”
Of course, the jokes came pouring in.
Considering Tony Bennett’s squad suffered an embarrassing victory as the No. 1 overall seed a year ago to No. 16 seed UMBC — the first time a top seed has lost to a No. 16 since the tournament field expanded to 64 — the taste of victory was extra sweet. Congratulations to the Cavaliers on their historic victory.
