Longhorns Women's Basketball Overcomes Obstacles, Secures No. 7 Ranking in AP Top 25 Poll
After securing victories against two top-15 teams, the Texas Longhorns women's basketball team made a significant leap in the Associated Press Top 25 women's basketball rankings on Monday.
Following their triumphs over No. 13 Baylor in Waco and No. 2 Kansas State on Sunday, Texas now holds the No. 7 position in the poll, marking a five-spot advancement from the previous week. Meanwhile, Baylor slipped five places to No. 18, and the Wildcats descended six spots to No. 8.
In the aftermath of the hard-fought 61-54 triumph over the Wildcats, Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer took a moment to reflect on his team's performance. Despite acknowledging that the team wasn't operating at its absolute best, Schaefer expressed immense pride in the collective effort displayed on the court. The victory, witnessed by a vibrant crowd of approximately 8,300 fans at the Moody Center, showcased the Longhorns' ability to persevere and secure a noteworthy win.
© Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
“It made for a great atmosphere,” he said. “I’m happy for our players to be 21-3, and having gone through what they’ve gone, and continue to go through, I just couldn’t be more proud of them. It’s hard to win at this level and they’ve won back-to-back top-15 games. All they’re doing is proving they are good enough.”
The significance of the win, coupled with the acknowledgment of areas for growth, sets the stage for further anticipation and excitement in the Longhorns' journey through the season.
In the latest rankings, the Longhorns have emerged as the top-ranked team in the Big 12, securing a position one spot ahead of Kansas State. West Virginia experienced a slight upward shift, claiming the No. 22 spot, while Oklahoma, leading the Big 12 with an impressive 9-1 record, maintained its position at No. 24.
Currently boasting an 8-3 record in conference play, the Longhorns find themselves in fourth place, trailing just a half-game behind West Virginia. This positioning underscores the competitive nature of Big 12 basketball, with each team vying for prominence within the conference standings. As the season progresses, the Longhorns remain in contention, and their elevated ranking reflects their resilience and performance on the court.
Maintaining a flawless record of 21-0, South Carolina continues to dominate the women's basketball landscape, securing the coveted top spot in the poll. Iowa experienced a positive shift, climbing one spot to No. 2, with North Carolina State, Colorado, and Ohio State following closely in the rankings. Stanford claims the No. 6 position, while the Longhorns secure the seventh spot, showcasing their prowess on the court. The top 10 is rounded out by Wildcats, UCLA, and Southern California, reflecting the competitive and dynamic nature of women's college basketball.
With a six-day break between games, the Longhorns have an opportunity to address and recover from various bumps and bruises. Their upcoming matchup takes them to Fort Worth to face TCU on Saturday, providing Schaefer a chance to focus on recruiting while giving the players a well-deserved couple of days off.
Despite facing challenges, such as DeYona Gaston's persistent ankle issue, she showcased resilience by contributing 23 minutes and scoring eight points against Kansas State. Additionally, Aaliyah Moore is nursing an ankle injury, and Madison Booker has been intermittently dealing with a bothersome hamstring. Schaefer emphasizes the importance of getting these key players healthy for Texas to make a solid run in March.
Schaefer made the tough decision to reduce the team's practice time on Friday, aiming to keep players fresh. He believed it was a necessary step to ensure the team's overall well-being and readiness for the upcoming matchup