UPDATE: The Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team has started their Southeastern Conference (SEC) journey with a stunning 17-0 record, but the challenges are intensifying. As Texas prepares to host Auburn on January 5, 2025, head coach Vic Schaefer emphasizes the fierce competition that defines the SEC, likening it to the WNBA’s Triple-A league.
The Longhorns, currently ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, are joined by a formidable lineup of SEC teams, including No. 3 South Carolina and No. 5 Oklahoma. The SEC has made history, with a record-breaking ten teams qualifying for the NCAA Tournament last season. “You’re going to have to come through the SEC to win a national championship,” said Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph, underscoring the league’s dominance in college women’s basketball.
Schaefer’s assessment of the SEC paints a daunting picture. “It’s an absolute nightmare,” he stated. “There’s no other way to put it. You can find a whole lot of things easier to do than live in this league.” The Longhorns must navigate a schedule filled with elite opponents, including upcoming matchups against LSU and South Carolina.
Pivotal to Texas’s success is their ability to adapt and come prepared. “If we’re not ready, we’ll get embarrassed,” Schaefer warned. His senior guard, Ashton Judd, echoed this sentiment, noting, “It doesn’t matter who you’re playing; it can be anybody’s game on any given night.” This highlights the unpredictable nature of the SEC, where every game is crucial.
Auburn, currently at 11-5, is seeking to turn its season around after a disappointing start in SEC play. New coach Larry Vickers has injected energy into the program, with four players averaging between 9.4 and 11.1 points per game. Despite their current challenges, Schaefer recognizes the potential in Auburn, stating, “They’ve won 11 games for a reason. I think they’re improved.”
The Longhorns are riding high with a 17-1 record in SEC games since joining the league, but the upcoming match against Auburn will test their resolve. Texas aims to maintain its momentum, especially after narrowly escaping with a win against Ole Miss earlier this week.
As the game approaches, fans are eager to see if the Longhorns can continue their unbeaten streak in the SEC. The stakes are high, and all eyes will be on Moody Center as Texas faces Auburn in what promises to be another thrilling chapter in SEC women’s basketball.
Stay tuned for updates as Texas navigates the toughest conference in college women’s basketball.
