Longhorns Claim Share of SEC Title, Eye National Championship Run
The scene at Moody Center was one of jubilation. Burnt orange and white confetti rained down as the No. 1 Texas Longhorns celebrated a dominant 72-46 victory over Florida, securing a share of the SEC regular-season title in their inaugural season in the conference. Despite a coin flip relegating them to the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament, the Longhorns’ performance on the court speaks volumes about their championship aspirations.
Taylor Jones, a sixth-year senior, captured the team’s sentiment perfectly. "We worked hard to get to where we’re at now," Jones said, emphasizing that the team’s determination would remain steadfast regardless of the coin toss outcome.
The Longhorns concluded the regular season tied with South Carolina atop the SEC standings, each team suffering only one conference loss. Their head-to-head matchups resulted in a split, necessitating a coin flip to determine the top seed for the SEC tournament. While the coin landed in South Carolina’s favor, the momentum undeniably rests with Texas.
Riding a 13-game winning streak, the Longhorns have established themselves as a legitimate contender for the national title. In a season characterized by parity at the top, with no clear frontrunner emerging, Texas finds itself in the company of powerhouses like Southern California, UCLA, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and UConn.
Head coach Vic Schaefer, brimming with confidence, declared, "I’m not trading my team for anybody." Schaefer’s unwavering belief in his players stems from their remarkable achievements throughout the season.
Schaefer’s vision for the Texas program, dating back to his arrival in 2020, is now materializing. While Texas has consistently been a strong program and a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament, a national championship has eluded them since 1986. Schaefer, with his track record of success, was brought in to elevate the program to new heights.
Schaefer’s connection to Texas runs deep. Born in Austin and raised in Houston, he views the Texas job as the pinnacle of his profession. "I felt like coming here, this was a place where you could win multiple (conference) championships and have a chance to win a national championship," Schaefer said.
The Longhorns’ success lies in their versatility. They can win in a variety of ways, showcasing their adaptability and resilience. From grinding out a 57-26 victory against Georgia, holding the Bulldogs to a mere 30.6% shooting, to unleashing their bench for 32 points in a dominant performance against Florida, the Longhorns have demonstrated their ability to adjust their game plan based on the opponent.
Texas and UConn stand out as the only teams in the nation that rank in the top 20 in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Their ability to force turnovers and capitalize on them in transition is a key component of their success.
The Longhorns boast a formidable frontcourt, led by sophomore sensation Madison Booker and sixth-year senior Taylor Jones. Senior point guard Rori Harmon orchestrates the offense and provides tenacious defense.
Schaefer considers this the best shooting team he has ever coached. However, their defensive prowess is equally crucial, enabling them to overcome occasional shooting slumps.
"I believe in my team," Schaefer stated. "I’ve seen them fight for some gritty, gritty victories. They’ve shown me a level of toughness that I’m convinced on any given night, they can compete with anybody in the country."
Schaefer’s coaching pedigree includes a national championship as an associate coach at Texas A&M under Gary Blair. He then transformed Mississippi State into a national powerhouse, leading them to two national runner-up finishes and snapping UConn’s historic 111-game winning streak in the 2017 Final Four.
While Schaefer cherishes his time at Mississippi State, he acknowledges that the allure of Texas was too strong to resist.
Reflecting on a meeting with Texas’ other head coaches in 2022, after his team had reached the Elite Eight in his second season, Schaefer realized the high standard of excellence at the university. "My team went to the Elite Eight, and we weren’t even good enough to finish in the top half of the room," Schaefer said. "That’s how elite this place is. The standard here is championships."
The Longhorns embrace this championship mentality. Even amidst the celebrations after securing a share of the SEC title, their focus remains firmly on the ultimate goal.
"The job’s not done," Harmon declared, encapsulating the team’s unwavering determination to continue striving for greatness. The Longhorns are not content with merely sharing a conference title; they are hungry for more. Their sights are set on the national championship, and they possess the talent, coaching, and mindset to achieve their ultimate ambition.
