Three Keys for Texas to Overcome South Carolina in Women’s Final Four Showdown
By Cole Amundson
The Longhorns are back in the Final Four after 2018. Coach Vic Schaefer leads them to face South Carolina, the defending champions. They met three times this season. In one game, Texas lost 67-50. In another, they broke South Carolina’s long 57-game SEC win streak. Then, in the SEC Tournament Championship, Texas fell 64-45. Now, as Texas readies its Friday night match in Tampa, the team must ask: Can one beat a team three times in one season? Here are three tactics Texas must use to win over South Carolina.
1. Dominate the Paint
Texas shows power in the paint. In their Elite Eight win, they scored 24 points against TCU for every 8 points from TCU inside. Big players like Madison Booker, Taylor Jones, and Kyla Oldacre work close together under the basket. This season, they attempted only 24 three-point shots. They tried 230 field goals from close range. Their aim is clear: control the paint.
2. Contain MiLaysia Fulwiley
South Carolina spreads its scoring. Joyce Edwards leads with 12.7 points per game, and nine players score at least 5 points in each game. Yet, MiLaysia Fulwiley stands out. The sophomore guard does not start but makes big plays. In the first game against Texas, she had 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. In their next meeting, her tally was 13 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals. In the NCAA Tournament, she scored 23 points, with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Texas must keep Fulwiley in check if they want to win.
3. Win the Turnover Battle and Capitalize on Second-Chance Points
Texas forces turnovers well. They hold the 14th-best rate in NCAA women’s basketball at 29.3%. They average over 10 steals in every game. Rori Harmon leads these efforts with 2.2 steals per game. Winning the turnover fight is key. Moreover, Texas ranks high in offensive rebounding. They recover 42.4% of offensive rebounds per possession. They rank fourth in the nation for this stat. Although long rebounds from missed three-pointers are rare, Texas can use their strength to score on second-chance points.
As Texas readies itself to face South Carolina, these three keys help keep the game close and may lead the Longhorns to victory in one of college basketball’s most awaited matchups.
