The Texas Longhorns women’s basketball program has long been a staple of excellence in the NCAA landscape, but the anticipation surrounding the 2025-26 season is reaching new heights after the program earned a Top 3 spot in the most recent “Way-Too-Early” rankings from national analysts. With a combination of veteran leadership, promising young talent, and strong momentum from their recent tournament success, the Longhorns have emerged as not just contenders, but arguably favorites to make a run at a national title. The program’s rise back into national prominence under head coach Vic Schaefer has been methodical, and this upcoming season may well be the culmination of years of steady building.
Texas finished the 2024-25 campaign with an impressive record, falling just short of a Final Four berth after a dramatic Elite Eight loss to eventual national champion South Carolina. Despite the heartbreak, the postseason run revealed a team that had grown battle-tested, physically dominant, and mentally resilient. That core experience, coupled with key returning players and a top-tier recruiting class, has vaulted Texas into the national spotlight heading into the next season.
Perhaps the most significant reason for the Longhorns’ projected success lies in the return of point guard Rori Harmon. After missing significant time due to injury during her junior season, Harmon came back with a vengeance late in the year and played a pivotal role in Texas’ tournament run. Her leadership, vision, and defensive intensity make her one of the best guards in the country. Harmon’s ability to control pace, distribute the basketball, and deliver in clutch situations gives Texas a major advantage over many of their peers. Her presence on the floor stabilizes the offense and raises the play of those around her.
Alongside Harmon, the Longhorns bring back a loaded frontcourt led by Aaliyah Moore and DeYona Gaston. Moore, a former five-star recruit, finally showed flashes of the player many expected her to become after battling injuries and inconsistencies in previous seasons. Her length, footwork, and finishing ability in the paint make her a matchup nightmare for most opponents. Gaston, meanwhile, brings toughness and rebounding prowess that have become hallmarks of Schaefer’s system. The two form one of the most physically imposing post tandems in the country, and their development will be critical to Texas’ national championship hopes.
One of the most exciting developments for Texas fans is the arrival of elite freshman wing Jayla Williams, a top-five recruit nationally who chose the Longhorns over heavyweights like UConn, LSU, and Stanford. Williams is a dynamic scorer with a polished offensive game well beyond her years. She has already been compared to former NCAA stars such as Rhyne Howard and Sabrina Ionescu for her ability to take over games from the wing. Her combination of size, speed, and shooting touch could make her an immediate impact player, possibly even the top freshman in the nation. If she adjusts quickly to the college game, Texas could have a three-headed monster in Harmon, Moore, and Williams that few teams can match.
Depth is another reason analysts are bullish on Texas. Returners such as Shay Holle and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda provide versatility and defensive intensity on the perimeter. Holle in particular has developed into a reliable 3-and-D player who often guards the opposing team’s best scorer. Mwenentanda, still just a sophomore, flashed tremendous upside in limited minutes and will be expected to take on a bigger role. The bench also includes sharpshooter Madison Booker and combo guard Jordana Codio, both of whom can stretch defenses with their outside shooting.
Of course, none of this comes together without Schaefer, whose coaching philosophy has reshaped the identity of the program. Known for his defensive-minded, grind-it-out approach during his years at Mississippi State, Schaefer has implemented a culture of accountability and toughness in Austin that has transformed Texas into a perennial top-tier team. His teams pride themselves on physical defense, rebounding, and execution in the half-court. But Schaefer has also adapted, incorporating more offensive creativity and transition play to maximize the skill sets of his newer recruits. That evolution is a key reason Texas finds itself on the cusp of something special.
Another factor working in the Longhorns’ favor is the overall landscape of women’s college basketball. Traditional powers like UConn and Stanford are entering periods of transition. UConn continues to deal with injury and depth issues, while Stanford recently lost key pieces to graduation and the WNBA. Even LSU, the 2023 national champion, faces uncertainty after the departure of Angel Reese and other stars. Meanwhile, South Carolina remains a juggernaut under Dawn Staley, but Texas now looks like the most credible threat to ending the Gamecocks’ reign. The Longhorns have the size, talent, and coaching to go toe-to-toe with anyone.
Recruiting momentum also plays a role in Texas’ surge up the rankings. The Longhorns have strung together multiple top-10 recruiting classes in recent years, and that pipeline shows no signs of slowing. The program’s success, combined with Austin’s appeal as a major city and the NIL opportunities that come with it, has made Texas a destination for elite talent. The fact that the Longhorns landed Williams over SEC and ACC powers speaks volumes about where the program currently stands. It is no longer just competing with the best—it is often beating them for top talent.
In terms of the schedule, Texas is set to face a challenging non-conference slate that includes marquee matchups with Iowa, UConn, and a neutral-site showdown with Louisville. Those early tests will give Schaefer and his team a barometer of where they stand and what they need to work on before Big 12 play begins. The Big 12, now restructured after the arrival of teams like BYU, UCF, and Houston, remains a tough and competitive league. But Texas has consistently dominated the conference in recent years and will be expected to do so again.
One element that separates this Texas team from past iterations is their mental toughness. Several of these players have been through deep tournament runs, high-pressure games, and close losses. That kind of experience is invaluable when the calendar flips to March. For a team with championship aspirations, it is not just about having talent—it’s about having the poise to execute under the brightest lights. In that regard, the Longhorns may have the edge over younger, less battle-tested squads.
Fan support has also played a significant role in Texas’ rise. The Longhorn faithful have embraced the women’s basketball team with increasing fervor, and the atmosphere inside the Moody Center has become one of the best in the country. Sellout crowds and student section engagement have created a true home-court advantage that energizes the players and intimidates opponents. That momentum has helped build a culture where winning is expected, not hoped for.
Texas’ success could also be a boon for the sport more broadly. As women’s basketball continues to grow in popularity, having programs like Texas emerge as true national powers helps diversify the competitive landscape. For too long, the sport has been dominated by a handful of programs, but Texas’ ascension adds another elite team to the mix. The Longhorns have the infrastructure, resources, and fanbase to sustain long-term success, and a deep tournament run or national title would only accelerate that growth.
If there is a question mark for Texas, it may lie in their ability to stay healthy and find consistent outside shooting. Injuries to key players like Harmon in past seasons have derailed potential Final Four runs. While the roster has more depth now, the loss of a top player could still significantly alter the team’s trajectory. Additionally, perimeter shooting remains an area for improvement. Teams that can pack the paint and dare Texas to shoot from outside have occasionally found success, and improving three-point efficiency will be a major focus for the coaching staff.
That said, all signs point toward a historic season in Austin. With a loaded roster, elite coaching, top-tier recruits, and a hungry fanbase, the Longhorns have everything they need to compete for a national title. The “Way-Too-Early” rankings may be speculative, but they’re not without substance. Texas has earned its spot among the top three, and perhaps more importantly, they are poised to prove that they belong there when the games begin.
This team has the potential to go down as one of the greatest in program history. For Schaefer, a national championship would be the crowning achievement of a career already filled with accolades. For the players, it would be a testament to their resilience, hard work, and belief in one another. And for Texas fans, it would be the realization of a dream that has been building ever since the Longhorns began their climb back into the national elite.
As the offseason continues and preseason expectations mount, one thing is clear: the Texas Longhorns aren’t sneaking up on anyone anymore. They’re not just trying to break through. They’re already here, firmly planted among the best in the country. And if everything falls into place, they might just be cutting down the nets next April.
