Texas Thread

[bballnut90]

Taking the liberty to start this thread. Texas is coming off it's best season in 20+ years and has a very solid roster returning next year. I think most early projections have them in the top 4 again as a Final Four favorite:

Here's some info about their roster:

Projected Starting 5:
PG: Rori Harmon, former Big 12 DPOY and 1st Team All Big 12. Generally considered among the best PGs in the country and should be fully healthy this year after coming off an ACL this past saeson.
SG: Jordan Lee, former top 10 recruit, will be a sophomore
SF: Madison Booker, 1st Team All American and SEC Player of the Year. Widely considered among the best players in the country.
PF: Aaliyah Moore, former top 10 recruit, has had an injury riddled career but can be an impact player when healthy (averaged 11.3 ppg as a junior during her healthiest year)
C: Kyla Oldacre, one of the best offensive rebounders in the country and made a huge impact off the bench in many marquee games this year

Potential Rotation players:
PG: Bryanna Preston-backed up Harmon this year, had a good freshman season
SG: Ashton Judd-Missouri transfer. Averaged 13.4 ppg in 2023-24, 11.6 ppg in 2024-25. Stats say she's a good 3pt shooter.
SF: Aaliyah Crump-#5 incoming recruit
PF: Justice Carlton-had several big games against overmatched teams, didn't get minutes in big games though
C: Breya Cunningham-transfer from Arizona, a big physical body inside

End of bench players:
C-Lovisa Asbrink Hose-transfer from Florida Atlantic, averaged 3ppg last year for them
G-Sarah Graves, former walk on


The team has a number of different faces but the playing style should be incredibly similar to the squad they had this year. Breya Cunningham will be a replacement for Taylor Jones, Jordan Lee steps up as the defensive stopping 3pt threat that Shay Holle was, Aaliyah Moore will regain her spot that was temporarily filled by Mwenentanda. Booker and Harmon are back, Preston will continue to backup Harmon.

Texas was really good this year but their biggest weakness is 3pt production. They were one of the best defensive teams in the nation but offensively were quite limited. Most sets were run for Madison Booker hitting short corner jumpers or Texas would feed their post combo of Jones/Oldacre. I expect more of the same this year but would look for more perimeter action involving Jordan Lee getting looks from 3, or having their backups of Judd/Crump get shots from the perimeter. Texas is also in the mix for Gianna Kneepkens who is one of the most coveted portal players this year and would give them a massive 3pt shooting weapon.

One last note, Vic is one of the best coaches in the country, but has been consistently dominated by Dawn Staley throughout his career. If Texas will compete with South Carolina this upcoming season, he'll need to come up with better game plans and more creative offensive schemes.

 

[Geew1992]

I would think Cunningham would start.

 

[GamecockFam]

They seem to be holding status quo under the basket while upgrading/maturing the talent on the perimeter. Texas could be a title threat with some three points shooters.

 

[visitingcock]

I think Jordan Lee needs to shoot more this year to take the pressure off of Booker

 

[Bone Dog]

I hope Moore regains her pre-injury form. One of my favorite non-UConn players. The combination of her and Booker with their big posts could be awesome. The loss of Mwenentanda and Holle looks significant just in terms of team speed. I will miss Taylor Jones, who could be unstoppable even against bigger posts. I’m not sure Cunningham is able to play at her level yet.

One thing I noticed at the end of last season was Vic’s use of high-hedges with Jones and Oldacre. It worked well against TCU. But it looked risky to me to the extent that the bigs could end up in foul trouble. Lunging from behind a screen discombobulated Van Lith, but she could easily have let them crash into her instead of dodging away. A more nimble big can get away with that sort of lunging defense.

 

[cancontent]

I think Jordan Lee needs to shoot more this year to take the pressure off of Booker

Really enjoyed watching her play last season in the games I did get to see.

 

[cancontent]

I hope Moore regains her pre-injury form. One of my favorite non-UConn players. The combination of her and Booker with their big posts could be awesome. The loss of Mwenentanda and Holle looks significant just in terms of team speed. I will miss Taylor Jones, who could be unstoppable even against bigger posts. I’m not sure Cunningham is able to play at her level yet.

One thing I noticed at the end of last season was Vic’s use of high-hedges with Jones and Oldacre. It worked well against TCU. But it looked risky to me to the extent that the bigs could end up in foul trouble. Lunging from behind a screen discombobulated Van Lith, but she could easily have let them crash into her instead of dodging away. A more nimble big can get away with that sort of lunging defense.

Same here. Love her motor when she's on the court.

 

[southie]

I don't think Aaliyah Moore will be returning for her fifth season.

On one hand, she did participate in Senior Day. And, unlike Rori Harmon who did the same, she has not posted on social media like Rori did a few weeks ago that she will be returning for her final season. Unlike Rori and several of our other players, she has not been present on social media this offseason when it comes to following and being followed by our transfer targets, and 4 recent transfer additions. As far I've seen, she did not post any kind of "welcome" message on the social media pages when our transfer additions shared the news of their commitments to Texas.

On the other hand, she did not enter the transfer portal. And, she didn't post a "goodbye" post on social media. Her most recent knee surgery happened after we hosted Tennessee in January; she never played again the rest of the season. I guess there's a chance she's waiting to see how her recovery and rehab go before announcing her decision to return for one more season.

 

[cancontent]

I don't think Aaliyah Moore will be returning for her fifth season.

On one hand, she did participate in Senior Day. And, unlike Rori Harmon who did the same, she has not posted on social media like Rori did a few weeks ago that she will be returning for her final season. Unlike Rori and several of our other players, she has not been present on social media this offseason when it comes to following and being followed by our transfer targets, and 4 recent transfer additions. As far I've seen, she did not post any kind of "welcome" message on the social media pages when our transfer additions shared the news of their commitments to Texas.

On the other hand, she did not enter the transfer portal. And, she didn't post a "goodbye" post on social media. Her most recent knee surgery happened after we hosted Tennessee in January; she never played again the rest of the season. I guess there's a chance she's waiting to see how her recovery and rehab go before announcing her decision to return for one more season.

Used the dislike because it's the closest to a sad emoji. Like my post in the WNBA pre-season thread about Aubrey, the injuries some players endure during their college years blows my mind. I know it comes with the sport, but it still sucks.

 

[Bone Dog]

I’ll be very sad to hear Aaliyah won’t return. It feels like she never got a chance to really show how awesome she is.

 

[yhun89]

Taking the liberty to start this thread. Texas is coming off it's best season in 20+ years and has a very solid roster returning next year. I think most early projections have them in the top 4 again as a Final Four favorite:

Here's some info about their roster:

Projected Starting 5:
PG: Rori Harmon, former Big 12 DPOY and 1st Team All Big 12. Generally considered among the best PGs in the country and should be fully healthy this year after coming off an ACL this past saeson.
SG: Jordan Lee, former top 10 recruit, will be a sophomore
SF: Madison Booker, 1st Team All American and SEC Player of the Year. Widely considered among the best players in the country.
PF: Aaliyah Moore, former top 10 recruit, has had an injury riddled career but can be an impact player when healthy (averaged 11.3 ppg as a junior during her healthiest year)
C: Kyla Oldacre, one of the best offensive rebounders in the country and made a huge impact off the bench in many marquee games this year

Potential Rotation players:
PG: Bryanna Preston-backed up Harmon this year, had a good freshman season
SG: Ashton Judd-Missouri transfer. Averaged 13.4 ppg in 2023-24, 11.6 ppg in 2024-25. Stats say she's a good 3pt shooter.
SF: Aaliyah Crump-#5 incoming recruit
PF: Justice Carlton-had several big games against overmatched teams, didn't get minutes in big games though
C: Breya Cunningham-transfer from Arizona, a big physical body inside

End of bench players:
C-Lovisa Asbrink Hose-transfer from Florida Atlantic, averaged 3ppg last year for them
G-Sarah Graves, former walk on


The team has a number of different faces but the playing style should be incredibly similar to the squad they had this year. Breya Cunningham will be a replacement for Taylor Jones, Jordan Lee steps up as the defensive stopping 3pt threat that Shay Holle was, Aaliyah Moore will regain her spot that was temporarily filled by Mwenentanda. Booker and Harmon are back, Preston will continue to backup Harmon.

Texas was really good this year but their biggest weakness is 3pt production. They were one of the best defensive teams in the nation but offensively were quite limited. Most sets were run for Madison Booker hitting short corner jumpers or Texas would feed their post combo of Jones/Oldacre. I expect more of the same this year but would look for more perimeter action involving Jordan Lee getting looks from 3, or having their backups of Judd/Crump get shots from the perimeter. Texas is also in the mix for Gianna Kneepkens who is one of the most coveted portal players this year and would give them a massive 3pt shooting weapon.

One last note, Vic is one of the best coaches in the country, but has been consistently dominated by Dawn Staley throughout his career. If Texas will compete with South Carolina this upcoming season, he'll need to come up with better game plans and more creative offensive schemes.

Also picked up Teya Sidberry, SF, from Boston College. From what I've seen, she has promise under a coach who doesn't bench her when she gets hot.

 

[Geew1992]

I feel for her

 

[Bone Dog]

I feel for her

It's sad news. But I'm happy to hear that she means to come back afterwards.

We're pulling for you, big girl!

 

[southie]

Vic Schaefer indicated Texas and Baylor will play a game in Fort Worth this season. He also mentioned that Texas, South Carolina, UCLA, and Duke will meet up in Las Vegas; might even be a mini-tournament where each team plays 2 games. Texas will also play at South Dakota State.

Texas will also play at home for the SEC-ACC challenge. Guessing it will be an ACC team who played at home last season such as Louisville, North Carolina, or NC State.

 

[cancontent]

Vic Schaefer indicated Texas and Baylor will play a game in Fort Worth this season. He also mentioned that Texas, South Carolina, UCLA, and Duke will meet up in Las Vegas; might even be a mini-tournament where each team plays 2 games. Texas will also play at South Dakota State.

Texas will also play at home for the SEC-ACC challenge. Guessing it will be an ACC team who played at home last season such as Louisville, North Carolina, or NC State.

As an FYI to top up this post, I just received an email announcing Texas will be part of Canada Basketball's GloblJam event this summer. Once I locate an actual web post, I'll add it to the thread.

This is big win for Canada Basketball considering the roster this season. It will be very cool to see the U23 roster they put together facing off against this team.

 

[YoDore]

Texas will also play at home for the SEC-ACC challenge.

Has this been announced or are you logically assuming this based on the fact the Longhorns played on the road last year? I ask because Vandy has played on the road two years in a row in the Challenge (at N.C. State and Miami). So they don't always rotate home and away games, though it would appear to work that way most of the time.

The Challenge schedule was released the second week of June last year, so, hopefully we'll know soon. I'm hoping to see Vandy matched up with Notre Dame, Duke, North Carolina, UCLA or USC, preferably at home. A road game at one of those places would be fun, too.

 

[southie]

Has this been announced or are you logically assuming this based on the fact the Longhorns played on the road last year? I ask because Vandy has played on the road two years in a row in the Challenge (at N.C. State and Miami). So they don't always rotate home and away games, though it would appear to work that way most of the time.

The Challenge schedule was released the second week of June last year, so, hopefully we'll know soon. I'm hoping to see Vandy matched up with Notre Dame, Duke, North Carolina, UCLA or USC, preferably at home. A road game at one of those places would be fun, too.

Vic Schaefer gave that info to some media folks at the SEC meetings in Destin, FL. Texas will host an ACC opponent in the 2025 challenge.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[visitingcock]

Texas is coming off an “SEC Championship?”

Well, okay I guess, but a couple of letters are missing.

 

[cancontent]

Texas is coming off an “SEC Championship?”

Well, okay I guess, but a couple of letters are missing.

Maybe so, however Canada Basketball's marketing team is doing whatever they can to help hype up the event. After missing last year due to the Olympics, any "sizzle" they can use, they will. This doesn't surprise me at all.

 

[visitingcock]

Maybe so, however Canada Basketball's marketing team is doing whatever they can to help hype up the event. After missing last year due to the Olympics, any "sizzle" they can use, they will. This doesn't surprise me at all.

Yeah, I know and I don’t begrudge Texas their co- championship. They beat us fair and square in Austin. We had “almost home court” advantage in the SEC Tournament sand hoopla experience advantage in the F4 (though Vic is experienced with the hoopla)

I hope Texas grows to hate Greenville.

 

[BigTenGuy]

. . . Texas will also play at South Dakota State.

Was this game, in part, for Ndjakalenga? Or will Vic play anybody decent willing to come to Austin home and home? If so, wish some legacy Big Ten teams would step up and play Texas home and home.

 

[southie]

Was this game, in part, for Ndjakalenga? Or will Vic play anybody decent willing to come to Austin home and home? If so, wish some legacy Big Ten teams would step up and play Texas home and home.

Not sure but it sounds logical.

Vic has claimed the last few seasons that he's had trouble convincing P4 programs to come play in Austin (because they don't want to be pressed all game long; I personally don't completely believe that's the reason). Even before Texas joined the SEC, Texas lost annual non-conference series against Stanford and Tennessee shortly after Vic became the head coach; I recall for sure that Tara did not enjoy Vic's physical style of play.

Other than UConn in December 2023, Texas' home non-conference schedule has been atrocious.

Last summer, Vic told the local media that Texas would open the season in Las Vegas against Michigan. As it turned out, it ended up being South Carolina who played Michigan in Vegas; not sure if Texas got bumped out, but something definitely went awry. Texas actually played road games at Richmond and James Madison last season. Not a single P4 non-conference opponent at home. I'm assuming Richmond and JMU will make return trips to Austin this season.

I kind of thought some Big 12 teams would play Texas in non-conference, but none did last season. Iowa State and Kansas State head coaches have always commented that Vic's style of play impedes their players' "freedom of movement" so I knew we wouldn't ever see them in the future non-conference schedules. Last year, Vic told the media that he offered to go play one school at their place early in the season as that team had an entire 7 days without a game, and that school refused. While he didn't name them, Baylor was the only school whose early schedule had that 7-day stretch without a game.

I'd love to play some B1G teams; and glad that matchup against Maryland in NY/NJ happened last year even though it was during conference play.

 

[southie]

Vic Schaefer indicated Texas and Baylor will play a game in Fort Worth this season. He also mentioned that Texas, South Carolina, UCLA, and Duke will meet up in Las Vegas; might even be a mini-tournament where each team plays 2 games. Texas will also play at South Dakota State.

Texas will also play at home for the SEC-ACC challenge. Guessing it will be an ACC team who played at home last season such as Louisville, North Carolina, or NC State.

Texas will host North Carolina in the ACC/SEC Challenge

 

[triaddukefan]

Go Horns

 

[southie]

 

[bballnut90]

Does anyone know if Aaliyah Moore is planning to return to Texas next season? She initially planned to redshirt this year and return in 2026-27 but she isn't listed on Texas's official basketball roster and doesn't mention Texas Women's Basketball on her IG.

 

[Txhoopsalot]

She is not returning. I can’t locate the links. She recently signed with a NIL representation firm. The media image was not clear whether Moore signed as an agent or player. Vic reported to the media just prior to that announcement that Moore was doing well but that he did not know what her future plans were. Timing of your question? I was just thinking the other day that Moore played with the edge this year’s team sometimes lacks.

 

[cancontent]

She is not returning. I can’t locate the links. She recently signed with a NIL representation firm. The media image was not clear whether Moore signed as an agent or player. Vic reported to the media just prior to that announcement that Moore was doing well but that he did not know what her future plans were. Timing of your question? I was just thinking the other day that Moore played with the edge this year’s team sometimes lacks.

Thought she was planning to return after having surgery last year. If this is true, it's a bummer as I was looking forward to seeing her have one more season.

 

[GoChips20]

Thought she was planning to return after having surgery last year. If this is true, it's a bummer as I was looking forward to seeing her have one more season.

That was what I thought too but I can understand moving on. She hasn’t ever been consistently healthy and it’ll be a new era at Texas with fellow recruit Harmon leaving and a ton of elite wings and forwards on the roster. I still think she’d get major minutes but might be looking for more in what’s hopefully a full final season for her