Texas secures a spot in the Final Four after a decisive 58-47 victory over TCU in the Elite Eight. The Longhorns' stellar defense proved too much for the Horned Frogs, setting up a highly anticipated clash with South Carolina.
The Texas Longhorns have punched their ticket to the Final Four for the first time in over two decades, showcasing a dominant defensive performance against TCU. The Elite Eight matchup saw Texas emerge victorious with a 58-47 win, largely thanks to their suffocating defense that forced 21 turnovers and limited the Horned Frogs to a mere 27% shooting from the field.
Madison Booker continued her impressive tournament run, leading the Longhorns with 18 points. Her consistent scoring output has been crucial for Texas throughout the NCAA Tournament, averaging 18.8 points across four games.
The victory sets up a highly anticipated Final Four clash between Texas and South Carolina, scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. This will mark the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, with each side claiming a win in their regular-season encounters before South Carolina dominated in the SEC Tournament final.
Texas' defensive prowess was on full display, particularly in containing TCU star Hailey Van Lith. Despite leading her team with 17 points, Van Lith struggled from the field, shooting just 3-for-15 and failing to make a field goal in the entire second half.
The Longhorns' bench also played a crucial role in the victory, with Kyla Oldacre providing a significant boost in the second half. Oldacre finished with nine points, five rebounds, two steals, and one block, proving to be a difference-maker when it mattered most.
As Texas prepares for their Final Four matchup, coach Vic Schaefer expressed confidence in his team's abilities. "They are good enough," Schaefer stated. "I knew they were good enough. I knew we had what it took. Those kids played their guts out."
For bettors and fans alike, the upcoming Texas-South Carolina showdown promises to be a compelling matchup, given their history this season and the high stakes of a Final Four contest. With both teams showcasing strong defensive capabilities and star power, this game is likely to draw significant attention from the sports betting community.
