Texas Longhorns Return to Final Four After Two Decades

After more than twenty years, the Texas Longhorns are making a much-anticipated return to the women’s Final Four. As the top seed in the Birmingham Regional 3, they outperformed the No. 2 seed TCU with a decisive 58-47 victory in the Elite Eight on Monday night, earning their ticket to Tampa. Leading the charge was Madison Booker, the SEC Player of the Year, who impressed with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Rori Harmon, returning strong after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined her for most of last season, contributed 13 points and 5 assists. The Horned Frogs, reaching their first Elite Eight, wrap up a stellar season with a 34-4 record.

The Longhorns last graced the season’s final weekend back in 2003 under the legendary Hall of Fame coach Jody Conradt, bowing out to UConn in the national semifinals. Now, 22 years later with coach Vic Schaefer at the helm, Texas sets its sights on clinching another national title, a follow-up to the one secured by Conradt’s squad in 1986. Schaefer has achieved a notable milestone, joining an esteemed group of coaches, including Gary Blair and Kim Mulkey, as one of only five in women’s NCAA tournament history to guide multiple schools to the Final Four. Crucial to Texas’s triumph was their formidable defense, which pressured TCU into 21 turnovers while they themselves committed a mere eight.