In 1966, a small university in West Texas, under the guidance of a forward-thinking coach, takes an unorthodox approach to recruiting basketball players for its underdog team. Facing limited resources and societal prejudices, the coach scours the country for talent, ultimately assembling a young, diverse team. With his sights set on building a strong, cohesive unit, the coach challenges the prevailing norms by significantly increasing the number of African American players on his squad. This bold move is met with skepticism and resistance from the university's administration and fans, as well as other teams, who are unaccustomed to such a racially integrated group in the deeply segregated South.

As the basketball season progresses, the players must navigate a tumultuous landscape filled with racial tensions, both on and off the court. The team members, some experiencing these societal challenges for the first time, find their resilience and unity tested. Their coach, equally determined and idealistic, pushes them to not only excel in their sport but also to rise above the discrimination they face. The team's cohesion grows as they confront adversity, with the players learning to trust one another and their coach's groundbreaking strategy. Their performance begins to turn heads, as they rack up victories and set their sights on the national championship, unknowingly heading toward a historic showdown that will have far-reaching implications for the sport and for society.