Texas women’s basketball meets Michigan in the Elite Eight with Madison Booker leading a surging Longhorns team chasing a Final Four berth in Fort Worth.
Texas women’s basketball is one win away from the Final Four, but Michigan stands in the way Monday night in Fort Worth.
The Longhorns enter the Elite Eight at 34-3, riding a 10-game winning streak and looking every bit like a national title contender.
Michigan, though, has the scoring punch and confidence to make this NCAA Tournament matchup far more dangerous than the seed line suggests.
The biggest reason Texas has been so tough to handle is balance.
Madison Booker has continued to be the centerpiece, averaging 19.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.2 steals over her last 10 games. She’s been the steady force for a Longhorns team that can beat opponents in a variety of ways.
Jordan Lee gives Texas another dangerous scoring option, knocking down 1.9 3-pointers per game while averaging 13.6 points. Together, they’ve helped fuel an offense that has exploded lately.
Over its last 10 games, Texas has averaged 84.5 points while shooting 51.3 percent from the field. Just as impressive, the Longhorns have smothered teams defensively, allowing only 56.5 points per game during that stretch.
That two-way dominance is a huge reason Texas has piled up a 29-1 record in games decided by double digits.
Michigan won’t be intimidated, though. The Wolverines are 28-6 and have won eight of their last 10 games, powered by Olivia Olson and Syla Swords.
Olson has averaged 19.2 points while shooting 47.6 percent from the floor, and Swords has added 16.7 points per game over the last 10. Michigan also moves the ball well, averaging 17.4 assists per contest, with Mila Holloway helping drive that rhythm.
The key matchup may come when Michigan’s efficient offense tries to crack Texas’ defense, which has held opponents to just 38.3 percent shooting this season.
If the Longhorns control tempo and let Booker dictate the action, they’ll like their chances. But if Michigan gets comfortable early, this Elite Eight battle could tighten up fast.
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