Texas women's basketball faces big tests
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Madison Booker shoots over a South Carolina player. Photo: Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Longhorns women's basketball team, ranked third nationally, is on a tear — but faces big challenges Thursday and Sunday.
Why it matters: By early next week, the 24-2 University of Texas could be ranked No. 1 nationally.
- It's been more than two decades since the Longhorns were No. 1 — Feb. 16, 2004, was the last time the squad sat atop the AP poll, UT Athletics spokesperson Jeremy Rosenthal tells Axios.
Catch up quick: On Sunday, the Longhorns knocked off defending national champion South Carolina, then ranked No. 2, 66-62 before a raucous Moody Center crowd.
- Thursday the Longhorns play at No. 8 Kentucky at 6pm.
- And on Sunday, in what could be a barn burner, Texas returns to the Moody Center to face fifth-ranked LSU.
Flashback: Two years ago, no women's team from Texas was in the AP Top 25.
- Three Texas teams are in this week's poll, including No. 11 TCU and No. 25 Baylor.
What they're saying: Longhorns coach Vic Schaefer, in his fifth season leading the program, has preached belief all season long.
- "I have a lot of confidence in these kids. ... They know I'm never satisfied, and I'm always trying to help them reach a potential and heights that they've never seen before," he said after the South Carolina game.
Who to watch: Madison Booker, the star forward who wears #35 as a nod to Texas great Kevin Durant's jersey number, is averaging 16.5 points and 6.6 rebounds a game.
- Last season, Booker had to take up distribution duties after an injury to point guard Rori Harmon. Lately, she's been crashing the boards after an injury to starting power forward Aaliyah Moore.
- "We can't be satisfied," Booker said after the South Carolina win. "We still have a lot of work, things to fix, details to clean up."
The intrigue: LSU is coached by longtime UT nemesis Kim Mulkey, who as the coach of the Baylor Bears always seemed to have the number of her I-35 rival.
The big picture: Wins over the next two games could lead UT to displace UCLA as the No. 1 team nationally.
- Undefeated UCLA squares off against sixth-ranked USC Thursday night.
Yes, but: Texas ended the 1984 and 1985 regular seasons with the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll but failed to win the national championship either year.