The Houston Cougars came up just short in the NCAA title game, falling 65–63 to the Florida Gators in a dramatic finish. Some fans are blaming more than just missed shots—Sen. Ted Cruz made a bet, attended the game, and reignited talk of the infamous "Cruz Curse."
On Monday night, the Houston Cougars found themselves just two points shy of achieving a historic milestone. However, some fans attribute the near miss to the Ted Cruz Curse instead of focusing on the missed shots or turnovers.
In the moments leading up to the NCAA national title game, Texas Senator Ted Cruz took to social media to extend a playful challenge to Florida Senator Rick Scott, proposing a friendly wager. “Should Florida emerge victorious,” Cruz tweeted, “I’ll provide Texas BBQ, Shiner Bock beer & Blue Bell ice cream for you and your team…” Additionally, the defeated must don the victor's jersey.
The game concluded with Florida 65, Houston 63. The Gators rallied from a 10-point deficit in the second half to seize the championship, potentially presenting Cruz with a wardrobe dilemma. Cruz must now wear a Florida jersey (preferably layered over a T-shirt, as Houston fans wish).
It marks yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of Lone Star disappointments linked to Cruz's presence at the games. Though he celebrated alongside the Astros during their triumph in the 2017 and 2022 World Series, Cruz has also experienced the heart-wrenching losses that have marked Texas sports history.
These include Texas Tech's heartbreaking overtime defeat in the 2019 NCAA championship match, the Rockets’ 2018 Game 7 collapse against the Warriors, Texas and Texas A&M's losses in crucial matchups, and the tale of Houston’s heartbreak in the 2025 national title.
Compounding the situation, social media erupted when Cruz was seen at the game in San Antonio, just before Florida’s pivotal scoring surge.
Serendipity? It is possible. Yet, the title drought for Houston, apart from the Astros, persists. As Cruz's presence looms on the national political stage, a chorus of Texas fans pleads: Perhaps it would be wise to sit out the next big game to be safe.
