The Texas Longhorns are kicking off the season ranked No. 6, and despite a major transfer portal exodus, they’re already being called a serious threat to No. 1 South Carolina for the Southeastern Conference championship. Yeah, you heard that right. This isn’t some rebuilding year, folks. With do-everything All-American Madison Booker still at the helm, the expectations are as high as ever, even after three key players walked out the door.
The Portal Stings, But Doesn’t Stop The Horns
It was a gut punch, no doubt. After making it to the Final Four for the second straight year, Texas watched three crucial players decide their future lay elsewhere. Jordan Lee, who was the Longhorns’ No. 2 scorer last season at 13.2 points per game and a top-level perimeter defender, bolted for South Carolina. Guard Aaliyah Crump, a former top recruit limited by injuries, transferred to Duke. And forward Justice Carlton is now with Houston. That’s a lot of firepower heading out the door, especially when you consider Lee and Crump were two of the biggest transfer moves in the country. “That broke my heart, but at the end of the day, they are individual players and have to do what’s best for them,” Texas point guard Bryanna Preston said. Even Booker seemed unfazed, just saying, “That’s their journey… I’m supporting them always.” Coach Vic Schaefer seems totally cool, too, clearly not letting the departures temper his championship goals. He’s got his eyes locked on bringing home that first national title since ’86.
Booker’s Drive and the Defensive Riddle
This team runs on Madison Booker. She’s a fourth-year player now, not a kid, and she’s already cemented her place in program history. With her size, her killer ballhandling, and that free-flowing jump shot, she’s a nightmare matchup for smaller guards and slower forwards alike. Remember when she stepped into the point guard role as a freshman after Rori Harmon went down with a knee injury? That’s the kind of player she is: ready to do whatever it takes. But filling the shoes of Harmon is no small feat. Rori, now with the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, is the only player in Division I history with over 1,500 points, 900 assists, 600 rebounds, and 350 steals. She was tiny, but a relentless defensive force, always guarding the opponent’s best perimeter player. That job likely falls to Bryanna Preston now, and Schaefer is hyped about her offensive game. “Rori was fast. Bri’s electric. I’m excited to see her this year. She’s really special. I don’t worry about her running our team or doing things for us on offense,” Schaefer said. The real question is on the defensive end. “What we’ll have a hard time replacing is the defense. Who is going to step to be that No. 1 defender?”
The Longhorns kick off their season Wednesday night against Fairleigh Dickinson. While the transfer portal giveth and taketh, this Texas squad, led by Booker, looks like they’re still in full chase mode for that national championship. You know they want it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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