Why Texas women can reach Final Four in our 2024 March Madness bracket predictions. To make it to the Final Four in basketball, a team needs to play exceptionally well, have a bit of luck, and have every player fully committed to the team’s success. Texas women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer, who led Mississippi State to consecutive national semifinals in 2017 and 2018, understands this well.
The Texas Longhorns, with a record of 30-4, have what it takes to reach the Final Four, but so do several other teams. Here are two reasons why Texas could make it:
Madison Booker, the Phenomenal Freshman:
- Madison Booker has proven to be the most impressive young point guard in the country.
- She was named co-Big 12 Player of the Year and can take over a game without scoring, thanks to her exceptional play-making skills.
- The team is at its best when Booker is not only scoring but also distributing the ball to her teammates.
- Successful teams rely on multiple players, so Texas’ balanced approach could be effective in the tournament.
Team Effort is Key:
- While Booker is a standout, Texas performs best when everyone contributes.
- Guards Shay Holle and Shaylee Gonzales need to make their mark offensively from the start.
- Strong defense is crucial, with players taking charges and creating turnovers to secure easier scoring opportunities.
- The team’s big players, Taylor Jones, Aaliyah Moore, and DeYona Gaston, need to step up with 30 points and 15 rebounds per game combined.
However, there are also reasons why Texas might not make it to the Final Four:
Stopping Booker is Key:
- To neutralize Texas, opponents need to find a way to shut down Booker, either through excellent defense or by getting her into foul trouble.
- Booker thrives under pressure, performing at her best in critical moments.
Point Shooting Concerns:
- Texas has struggled with 3-point shooting, which could be a problem if they rely too heavily on it.
- While they showed improvement in the Big 12 Tournament, their performance in the regular season was inconsistent.
Prediction: Texas is likely to reach the Final Four but might lose to South Carolina. Despite this, the team will demonstrate that they are a force to be reckoned with in the future.