Texas women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer enjoys an interesting diversion when he’s not directing his team. He often goes fishing, sometimes confronting sharks while pursuing speckled trout and redfish along the coast of Port O’Connor. He contrasts the lurking danger of these sea creatures to the competitive environment in college basketball, especially within the SEC.

“The bull sharks, those are the ones you want to stay clear of, because they don’t care where the fish is. If he is hungry, he is going to eat it.”
(Translation: The dangers are real, both in the ocean and on the court.)

With a recent Final Four run behind them, expectations for the Longhorns are high this season. They sit at No. 4 in the AP Top 25 preseason ratings and are favored to top the SEC coaches’ preseason poll, even surpassing South Carolina. Despite Texas’s strong lineup on paper, Schaefer recognizes that the SEC is crowded with formidable opponents, akin to sharks in the ocean.

“Our league has teams that will be older and wiser, and have depth. It’s going to be a nightmare getting through that gauntlet of 16 games. It’s two months of pure hell.”
(Translation: It’s a challenging road ahead, but one that Schaefer embraces.)

The strength of the Longhorns starts with key players Rori Harmon and Madison Booker. Both are celebrated talents, with Booker named in the AP preseason All-America team. Schaefer praises Booker’s adaptability on the court, noting her potential to play multiple positions effectively.

“Aaliyah Crump can really shoot it. She’s a big guard who can run and see the floor,” he remarked about the freshman.
(Translation: Crump’s impact is expected to be significant this season.)

The Longhorns are poised to leverage their depth, promising a compelling basketball season for fans.