The Longhorns, despite still in pursuit of a national championship, have begun saying goodbye to one of the program's best.
No. 1 Texas Longhorns women's basketball next his the floor on Saturday, March 28, for a Sweet 16 matchup against No. 5 Kentucky inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
Their last game, a blowout win over Oregon at the Moody Center in Austin, improved the program-record home winning streak to 44 games. It was the final home game for the senior class, which is headlined by star point guard Rori Harmon.
As the Longhorns rolled past the Ducks, ESPN writer Dave Wilson recalled how Texas head coach Vic Schaefer got on the mic and addressed his appreciation for Harmon.
"For five years I've come to the office and every day I've seen Rori Harmon," Schaefer said. "There's not enough time out here today to talk about it. You just gotta know how special it's been."
After Schaefer convinced the five-star recruit to commit to Texas shortly after his hiring in 2020, the pairing has now led to one of the greatest individual careers in program history, which is even more impressive given how Harmon is a point guard in Schaefer's "high-intensity system." Says Wilson, "there's no position more important or demanding."
"I want to be the epitome of Texas basketball," Harmon said about her decision. "Like when people think about Texas women's basketball, like what do you think about? Do you think about defense? Do you think about someone who plays with passion, with heart and discipline and focus?"
Harmon brings it all. She's risen to the top of Longhorns record books in both assists and steals, demonstrating her elite two-way ability that has disrupted opponents for five seasons.
Her relationship with Schaefer has grown through the years, and now the two are in pursuit of the school's first national title in four decades.
"To be challenged and pushed so hard for five years, it's not like he let up, like 'Oh, let me give you a little break,'" Harmon said of her coach. "It was really challenging, but whatever is thrown at me, whether it's life or basketball, I will be able to handle it."
The impact is reciprocated from player to coach.
"She's as much like me as anybody I've ever coached," Schaefer says. "We both live and die with every possession and we're both passionate. That's not to say it's always been peaches and cream. We've butted heads, but that's OK. She's made me a better husband, a better father. She's made me a better coach."
