The Texas Longhorns women's basketball team is once again a top contender, entering the season ranked No. 6 nationally and viewed as a strong challenger for the Southeastern Conference championship. This resilience comes despite a significant roster shift, a common occurrence in the modern era of college athletics.
The departure of three key players via the transfer portal – Jordan Lee to South Carolina, Aaliyah Crump to Duke, and Justice Carlton to Houston – along with the WNBA draft selection of star guard Rori Harmon, presented immediate challenges. Lee, who averaged 13.2 points per game and was a top perimeter defender for Texas, has already made an impact in her debut for South Carolina. Crump, a highly-touted recruit, saw limited action last season due to injuries.
Despite the changes, do-everything All-American Madison Booker remains the cornerstone of the team. Booker, now in her fourth year, has been instrumental in Texas's recent success, including two consecutive Final Four appearances after a 20-year absence from the national semifinals. She is on the cusp of becoming the program's fourth all-time 2,000-point scorer, needing just 31 points.
Coach Vic Schaefer acknowledged the difficulty of replacing Harmon's defensive prowess but expressed confidence in Bryanna Preston to step into the point guard role offensively. "Rori was fast. Bri’s electric. I’m excited to see her this year. She’s really special," Schaefer said. "What we’ll have a hard time replacing is the defense. Who is going to step to be that No. 1 defender?"
Booker is embracing her leadership role, aiming to elevate a young team and chase the program's first national championship since 1986. She is focused on improving her game, particularly as a three-level scorer, and channeling the motivation from past heartbreaking Final Four losses. "It's a new year and a new team. That loss was heartbreaking ... but it's in the past, we move on," Booker stated.
Schaefer remains confident in his star player, calling Booker "the best player in the country." The Longhorns open their season against Fairleigh Dickinson on Wednesday night.