The Texas Longhorns women's basketball team has faced scrutiny over its three-point shooting this season, a concern that has lingered for a couple of years. Despite boasting a talented roster, consistent success from beyond the arc has been elusive.
Head coach Vic Schaefer brought in fresh talent like freshman guard Aaliyah Crump and senior transfer Ashton Judd to address this issue. Unfortunately, both players faced significant time off due to injuries. Sophomore guard Jordan Lee stepped up but eventually hit a slump herself.
In a recent game against Tennessee, the Longhorns failed to make a single three-pointer. This has been a frequent topic of discussion for Schaefer, who seemed determined to change the narrative in their matchup against Arkansas.
Thursday night, the Longhorns silenced the doubters, showcasing their ability to hit from deep for the first time this season.
“This group, offensively, was really good tonight,” Schaefer commented. “We made some shots. I told them at halftime: ‘Man, it’s a whole lot more fun to coach, and a whole lot easier to coach when you make some shots.’”
Arkansas employed a zone defense, aiming to stifle Texas’ inside game. However, this strategy opened up opportunities on the perimeter.
Texas capitalized, going 10 for 28 from three-point range, amassing 30 points from beyond the arc-a season high in both makes and attempts.
Judd, Crump, and Lee each contributed with at least one three-pointer. For Crump and Judd, who haven’t had consistent playing time, this performance was crucial for building confidence as the postseason approaches.
Fifth-year point guard Rori Harmon and junior forward Madison Booker also joined the three-point effort. Booker, who had been relatively quiet in recent games, led the team with 21 points.
“(My three-point shooting) has always been there,” Booker explained. “Early on in the season, I turned some down, and once I started shooting them again, they were on.
Coach (Schaefer) put a lot of confidence in me. He just told me to keep shooting the ball, so I listened to him.”
Future opponents should be wary of allowing Texas to get hot from the perimeter early. If the Longhorns find their rhythm in the first half, their offensive momentum can become unstoppable.
With injuries behind them, Schaefer now has the luxury of a deeper rotation, increasing from seven to ten players. This added depth offers Texas versatility in their offensive strategies and helps manage key players' minutes.
As always, Texas' defense was a force to be reckoned with. Arkansas didn’t score a field goal until the final 35 seconds of the first quarter.
Despite early free throws keeping the Razorbacks in the game, they never posed a serious threat. The Longhorns forced 20 turnovers while committing just nine themselves.
While three-point shooting isn't the core of Texas' identity, having a reliable threat from beyond the arc is vital for their national championship aspirations.