Texas Women’s Basketball Faces Illinois in Round of 32
Texas Women’s Basketball will take on Illinois this afternoon in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32 at the Moody Center. The Longhorns advance after a win over William & Mary, though head coach Vic Schaefer acknowledged that their performance was far from perfect. Schaefer pointed out that allowing 61 points was disappointing, emphasizing the need for improvement, especially on defense.
Despite a relatively easy win over William & Mary, the Longhorns can’t underestimate Illinois. The Fighting Illini, who are coming off a strong performance against Creighton, have talented players capable of causing trouble for Texas. Illinois is well-coached and plays with precision, particularly from beyond the arc, with all five starters shooting 33% or better from three-point range. Senior guard Genesis Bryant, who scored 17 points in their win over Creighton, will be a key player to watch. The Longhorns must focus on getting her into foul trouble to limit her impact on the game.
Another threat from Illinois is guard Adalia McKenzie, who is known for her rebounding skills. With her ability to score off second-chance opportunities, Texas will need to box her out effectively to prevent her from making an impact on the boards.
On the Texas side, Madison Booker shined in the win over William & Mary, showing why she earned SEC Player of the Year honors. She will likely face double teams from Illinois, which could disrupt Texas’ offensive flow. Taylor Jones, who scored 19 points in the last game, will be another focal point for the Illini, and they’ll likely try to keep her away from the basket to limit her scoring and rebounding.
With Aaliyah Moore out, the Longhorns need other players to step up, and Rori Harmon is expected to carry more of the offensive load. If she can contribute in a bigger way, Texas will be in a strong position to advance.
It’s sure to be an exciting matchup at the Moody Center as both teams battle for a spot in the Sweet 16.
