Texas’ historic 48 hours make them legit title contenders

LAS VEGAS — If anyone in women’s college basketball still wondered whether Texas was legit, the last 48 hours provided the answer. 

Two days. Two top-three opponents. Forty-minute workloads for their star guards. And two statement wins – first over No. 3 UCLA and then against No. 2 South Carolina at the Players Era Championship. 

It was the kind of statement that doesn’t just suggest Texas is a Final Four contender like last season. It shows they have the pieces to win the program’s first national title since 1986.

“I can’t say that I’ve ever seen this before in my career,” head coach Vic Schaefer said. “Back-to-back No. 2 and No. 3 in two successive days. These kids all went 40 minutes two days in a row… against the best of the best.”

The Longhorns were without three key players in Las Vegas due to injury: Aaliyah Crump, Bryanna Preston and Ashton Judd. But this group’s grit and resilience pushed them through. 

Texas trailed by eight late in the third quarter against South Carolina before getting into a stride and evening the score. 

“Booker was in the huddle going, ‘Coach, we got this, we got this.’ When I looked at my players, I thought, ‘She’s right’…,” he said. “This team is really special. They showed the country an incredible amount of toughness, competitive spirit and resilience. When they made their run, we answered.”

Much of that poise came from point guard Rori Harmon, who set the program’s career assist record Sunday with 777, surpassing Kamie Ethridge, the point guard who led the Longhorns to their 1986 national championship.

Harmon finished with a 9-assist, 2-turnover performance and hit the go-ahead jumper in the last second of play. 

“I just read the vibe of the game,” Harmon said. “I’ll get to my spots when I need to… I’ve been in that moment before.”

Alongside her was Madison Booker, who delivered on both ends. Harmon said it makes the Longhorns “unstoppable” when the pair plays like they did on Thursday evening.

“I came to Texas to play with a great guard, and that was Rori…,” Booker said, reflecting on a post-game hug after the win. “For her to come out here and do what she’s been working for… I’m proud of her.”

The supporting cast has been equally impressive. Sophomore Jordan Lee has emerged as a true third scoring option, while post players Breya Cunningham and Kyla Oldacre battled two of the best frontcourts in the country and held their ground.

“You can win games with guard play and no size, but you can’t win a championship without both,” Schaefer said. “And so we always try to have both.”

Right now, Texas looks like it has everything: elite guard play, grit, depth when healthy, chemistry and a tough interior presence.

And after taking down No. 3 and No. 2 on consecutive days, the resume now matches that notion.