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Texas rolls over Michigan to advance to second straight women's Final Four
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- Texas rolls over Michigan to advance to second straight women's Final Four
FORT WORTH, TX ― The No. 1 Texas Longhorns beat the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines 77-41 in the Elite Eight to punch their ticket to the Final Four in back-to-back seasons.
Texas controlled the flow of the game and pace early, and despite a second-quarter push from Michigan, the Longhorns cruised the rest of the way. The Wolverines had few answers on how to navigate Texas' stifling press defense. A bad shooting night didn't help either. Michigan appeared to be flustered by how quickly Texas was making it play and never truly found a sustainable rhythm.
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Texas forward Madison Booker was electric from the mid-range, leading all scorers with 19 points and seven rebounds. The Longhorns had three other players in double-figures, including Kyla Oldacre, who had 12 points off the bench. Oldacre was crucial in extending Texas's lead by coming in and forcing Michigan to overcommit on defense, leading to multiple trips to the free-throw line.
"That Michigan team is really good, y'all. They're averaging a ton of points. They have great players, and these kids played so hard today. Defensively, really took them out of a lot of what they wanted to do," Schaefer said.
"Again, Michigan is so good. They're really good at what they do and how they do it. To have a day and a half prep and to go out and execute defensively like these kids did ... I mean, just really executing, setting great screens, kids making shots, the right people taking the right shots from the right place on the floor. They were really, really good."
Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico watched from the sidelines as her team struggled for most of the matchup. Olivia Olson and Mila Holloway had 11 points apiece to lead the Wolverines, who finished Monday's matchup shooting 23%. It was a departure for a team that averaged more than 80 points a game.
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"Well, that was a tough game for us. Obviously, we're extremely disappointed. Texas is a great team, but we're a better team than we looked tonight," Barnes Arico said. "We had a bunch of shots go in and out. We had it cut in the third quarter. I thought we were going to be able to make a run. They just put us away. They're really, really, really talented."
After emerging victorious following Monday's matchup, the Longhorns will head to Phoenix for the 2026 Women's Final Four. The semifinals are Friday, April 3. The national championship is Sunday, April 5.
Texas's lead is 40 points, Longhorns partying on sideline
With just over five minutes left in Michigan's season, it's not looking great. Texas is up 69-29 in the fourth quarter. Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico has been sitting down in her chair, head resting on her hand or both her hands clasped on her knees for several minutes. Barnes also hasn't said much as the lead ballooned to 40 points.
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Texas players cheered and danced on the sidelines with every three-pointer and every layup or jumper made in the fourth.
Third quarter: Texas 55, Michigan 29
Texas won the third quarter 21-8 behind a masterful performance from Madison Booker, who is up to 19 points and seven rebounds on 61.5% shooting. Booker was dynamic from the midrange, using her length and size to create space away from her defenders.
She got help from Kyla Oldcare, who utilized the paint to put Michigan into foul trouble. Breya Cunningham was also stellar with 11 points on 83% shooting and seven rebounds.
For Michigan, not much is going right as Texas imposes its will. There isn't a single Wolverine in double figures and, through three quarters, a team that typically averages over 80 points a game only has 29.
Texas is adding on to its lead after coach's jacket removal
Vic Schaefer taking off his jacket may or may not have something to do with Texas' lead balooning back to 17 points. At the 4:27 mark of the third quarter, the Longhorns are now up 42-25, after an 8-2 run. They seem a lot more dialed in since Schaefer ditched his threads. Texas has scored six points off turnovers.
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Texas coach Vic Schaefer's jacket is off
Don't say we didn't warn you. At the 7:18 mark of the third quarter, Texas coach Vic Schaefer took off his jacket. Texas started the period 0-7, and understandably, the Longhorns coach was unhappy.
At the 6:40 mark, it's 34-23, Texas, over Michigan
Halftime: Texas 34, Michigan 21
Michigan has cut Texas's once 17-point lead down to 13 after a Syla Swords triple just before the half. Neither the Wolverines nor the Longhorns shot well in the second quarter, shooting 25% and 23%, respectively, and there were many sloppy possessions. Michigan is also not moving the ball well against Texas, with two assists and seven made baskets in the first half.
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Madison Booker is the game's high scorer with 15 points and six rebounds. She's also stripped Michigan of the basketball several times, which likely won't show up in the stat sheet, but it's helped Texas maintain its lead. Syla Swords has eight points to lead Michigan.
Texas Coach Vic Schaefer still has his jacket on (for now)
Texas is up 30-16 at the 3:12 mark of the second quarter, and based on how red Vic Schaefer's face is from yelling at his team to "box out" or "stay disciplined," you would think his signature suit jacket would be off.
Surprisingly, it is not. However, an entire half of basketball is yet to be played and Texas and Michigan are both shooting 20% in the period. There's still time.
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End of Q1: Texas 22, Michigan 9
It was all Texas in the first quarter as the Longhorns leaned heavily into their ball movement to draw Michigan away from the basket. As soon as the Wolverines moved to help on defense, Texas would kick the ball out to an open player and hit the person under the basket. Rinse. Lather. Repeat for several baskets.
Michigan isn't shooting well at all, and it's likely because Texas has sped them up and applied pressure. Shots are rushed and not falling. The Wolverines made three baskets in the first quarter while Texas went 11-for-12 from the field, a staggering 92% shooting.
Madison Booker and Breya Cunningham lead all scorers with six points each. Mila Holloway has four points for Michigan.
Texas is pouring it on against Michigan in Elite 8
The Longhorns are perfect from the floor to open Monday's Elite Eight matchup. Texas is 9-for-9 and showing no signs of stopping. The score is 18-4 at the 3:44 mark, and 12 of Texas's 18 points have come in the paint.
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Michigan doesn't have any answers, and it could be a long day for the Wolverines, who are down to 11% shooting (1-for-9 from the field). The lone basket they did make was from Syla Swords.
Texas builds 10-point lead against Michigan
With the first five minutes of the game done, Texas is rolling against the Wolverines. The Longhorns are up 12-2 and are a perfect 6-6 from the field. All five starters have scored.
Michigan is shooting 14%. The Wolverines are struggling to dissect Texas's press defense and can't keep up with the ball movement the Longhorns have implemented early to spread them out.
Texas takes early lead against Michigan
At the 6:09 mark of the first, it's 8-2, Longhorns. The Wolverines started the matchup 1-6 and didn't capitalize on three early Texas turnovers.
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Texas vs. Michigan is underway at Dickies Arena
We are underway in Fort Worth as Texas and Michigan battle in the Elite Eight for a ticket to the Final Four in Phoenix. Texas won the tip, and Longhorns forward Justice Carlton scored first.
Texas' starters in the Elite 8 against Michigan
Michigan's starters in the Elite 8 against Texas
Michigan is ready to roll in Fort Worth
Texas and Michigan had tense moment in the tunnel
Texas and Michigan ran into one another in the tunnel ahead of Monday's matchup, and the moment was somewhat tense.
Michigan is also pumped on its way to Dickies Arena
Texas looks ready to go as it heads to Dickies Arena
Michigan is 'focused' ahead of its Elite Eight matchup with Texas
What time is Texas vs. Michigan Elite Eight game?
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Date: Monday, March 30
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Time: 7 p.m. ET
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Location: Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)
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The Texas Longhorns will play the Michigan Wolverines in the Elite Eight round of the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 30, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Texas vs. Michigan: TV, streaming
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TV: ESPN
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Stream: ESPN App, Fubo
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas rolls Michigan to advance to second straight women's Final Four
