Texas can make Final Four, send a message
To make a Final Four run, it takes superb play, a little bit of luck and total team buy-in. Texas women's basketball coach Vic Schaefer should know, having led Mississippi State to consecutive national semifinals in 2017 and 2018.
The 30-4 Longhorns are capable of making it to Cleveland in two weeks. But so are several other teams.
Here are two reasons why Texas can make it to the Final Four:
Texas: And a freshman shall lead them
Madison Booker has shown the rest of the country that she's the most complete young point guard in America, with all due respect to USC's spectacular JuJu Watkins.
Texas' phenomenal freshman, who was named the co-Big 12 player of the year, has the ability to take over a game without even having to shoot the ball. Her play-making skills have been amazing and the Longhorns are at their best when Booker's not only scoring the ball but also spreading it around to her teammates. The elite teams aren't entirely dependent on one player, so the formula that got the Horns to their No. 1 seed will play well in the Dance.
Everyone has to pitch in for Texas to thrive
Sure, Booker has the ability to put the team on her back, but the Horns are much better when everyone is involved. That means guards Shay Holle and Shaylee Gonzales putting their offensive imprint on the festivities from the jump.
It's imperative the Horns impose their will on the defensive end. That means taking charges and creating turnovers that will make for easier opportunities on the offensive end. The big girls — Taylor Jones, Aaliyah Moore and DeYona Gaston — can't shrink in the NCAA spotlight. If this trio can combine to deliver 30 points and 15 rebounds a game, the Horns will be in good shape.
And here are two reasons why the Longhorns can't make the Final Four:
Eliminate the head of the snake: stopping Booker
The best way to neutralize Texas? Maybe if someone finally figures out how to shut down Booker, be it with amazing defense or if she gets into early foul trouble. Booker has been box office since taking over point guard duties from Rori Harmon, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 12th game of the season. Booker's one of those players who play at their best when the lights are the brightest.
Will the 3-pointers fall for Texas?
The Horns also could fall short if the rims away from Austin are less than friendly, especially from long range. The Horns were the worst 3-point shooting team in the Top 25 at the end of the regular season, but they showed some signs by knocking down 6-of-13 threes in the Big 12 Tournament opener. They were only 7-of-24 in their final two games.
Prediction: How far will Texas go in the NCAA Tournament?
Texas breaks through for its first Final Four since 2023. Dawn Staley and unbeaten South Carolina will be waiting in the national semifinals. Texas loses, but sends a message it's a national player for years to come. Watch out for when Harmon comes back in 2025.