Texas silenced TCU defensively in their victory of 58-47 to reach the Final Four. The team faces a key match against South Carolina after this bout.
Texas Shuts Down TCU to Punch Ticket to the Final Four
The Texas Longhorns operate without extravagant plays. Their games do not end in blowouts when they refuse to shoot three-pointers. Texas achieves its victory through collective efforts rather than depending on one superstar to do everything. Their tireless defensive approach, organized strategy, and aggressive defensive pressure force teams to submit over time.
Texas pushed TCU to defeat 58-47 to advance to the Final Four during their Elite Eight matchup. Texas provided an unflattering scoreboard result but proved their complete domination against their opponents through all aspects of the game.
Dominance Without the Highlight Reels
Texas seized control of the match right from the first play, which led to their steady, methodical wear down of TCU throughout the game. TCU kept the points between them and Texas close throughout the game, but Texas never let the Horned Frogs establish dominance in the match.
Head coach Mark Campbell from TCU recognized that Texas delivered an outstanding performance during their game. The Texas players achieved full dominance throughout the match because they made our team feel uneasy while disrupting our offensive flow.
The numbers support him. The Horned Frogs managed to convert only 12 field goals throughout the entire game as they shot 12-for-45 from the floor. The Longhorns produced twenty-one turnovers in the contest, of which Texas defenders recorded nine steals, indicating the defensive pressure created actual turnovers without aggressive gambits.
A Defensive Masterclass
The defensive system that Texas coach Vic Schaefer implements results in wins through opponent discomfort during games. The defensive approach implemented by Texas coach Vic Schaefer demonstrated itself to the maximum extent during their match against TCU.
When we needed some good offense, they came up with it,” Schaefer said.
Madison Booker led the team with 18 points, despite not shooting well. Even on a poor night, she was able to find ways to score and kept the offense steady.
A Battle with South Carolina Looms
The highway does not get any smoother from here. Texas next faces off against top-seeded South Carolina, a team that has already beaten them twice this year—once in Columbia and again in the SEC Tournament championship game.
Those losses were by 17 and 19 points, but both were on South Carolina’s home floor. In their one meeting in Austin, Texas received a four-point win, proving that they can hold their own against the powerhouse program.
South Carolina will be the favorite, and that is fitting. They possess an elite roster, a championship tradition, and a coach in Dawn Staley who has built a dynasty.
But Texas ain’t intimidated. They don’t coast on hype or highlight moments. They stick with their plan—tough defense, sound play, and an unwavering belief in their system.
Schaefer’s strong work ethic has created this team as an extension of himself. He’s known to sleep on the floor in his office, living in the film room, and out-exercising rivals. His guys have picked up on that as well.
“If you had a camera trailing him everywhere he goes, a day in the life of Vic Schaefer, you’d be at the gym all day,” Booker said. “You’d be in the office reviewing film all day.”
And so the Longhorns trudge on, battle-hardened and unfazed. South Carolina might have the upper hand on paper, but Texas has shown it belongs. By Friday, they’ll be ready. They always are.
