Full Breakdown
Texas Longhorns Advance to Final Four with Dominant Victory Over Michigan
3/31/2026, 6:29:18 AM
Texas Secures Spot in Final Four
The Texas Longhorns women's basketball team has advanced to the Final Four for the second consecutive year after a commanding 77-41 victory over the Michigan Wolverines in the Fort Worth Regional 3 championship game. This win marks Texas's fifth overall appearance in the Final Four and their second in a row, following a 20-year hiatus from the national semifinals prior to last season. The Longhorns, who are the No. 1 seed, will face fellow top seed UCLA on Friday in Phoenix.
Game Highlights and Performance
Texas showcased a dominant performance throughout the game, quickly establishing a double-digit lead. Junior Madison Booker led the Longhorns with 19 points and was named the regional's most outstanding player. Senior point guard Rori Harmon contributed significantly with 13 assists, while Kyla Oldacre recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Longhorns shot an impressive 46.9% from the field, including a remarkable 91.7% in the first quarter, where they made 11 of 12 shots.
In contrast, Michigan struggled offensively, finishing the game with a shooting percentage of only 22.8%. The Wolverines, who ended their season with a record of 28-7, were unable to recover from a poor shooting performance, with key players Olivia Nelson and Syla Swords combining for just five points on 2-of-13 and 3-of-15 shooting, respectively.
Historical Context
The Longhorns' last national championship came in 1986 when they finished the season undefeated at 34-0. Their recent resurgence under head coach Vic Schaefer has revitalized the program, leading to back-to-back Final Four appearances. Prior to last season, Texas had not reached the Final Four since 2003.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Vic Schaefer praised his team's resilience and performance, stating, "We have no heart," referring to a mid-season slump that the team overcame to secure their current winning streak. Since that point, Texas has won 12 consecutive games, including all four of their NCAA tournament matches by an average margin of 35.5 points.
What's Next
Looking ahead, Texas will face UCLA, a rematch of their earlier season encounter where the Longhorns handed the Bruins their only loss of the season. The upcoming game is set for Friday at 8:30 p.m. Central on ESPN, and it will be a critical matchup as both teams vie for a spot in the national championship game.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the Longhorns' success, some analysts have pointed out the need for improvement in their three-point shooting, which has been inconsistent throughout the tournament. This aspect could be crucial in their upcoming game against UCLA, a team that has won 29 straight games since their earlier loss to Texas.
