Another season of Texas women's basketball is in the books, and it ended in heartbreak in the Final Four. It really stings because if Texas were on its own game, it could have walked away with the National Championship. However, they lost to the eventual national champions, UCLA. With the season over, the transfer portal is open, and players are entering it in search of a new home next season.
Here are some targets in the transfer portal the Longhorns need to be on the phone with:
1. Florida PG Liv McGill
Why not go after someone familiar with the level of competition in the SEC? McGill would be a perfect replacement for Rori Harmon, since she's no longer eligible. She averaged 22 PPG this season and would help take the pressure off Madison Booker, the primary offensive player. She has the type of toughness that Vic Schaefer is looking for in a point guard.
2. Iowa State C Audi Cooks
I know this might be a controversial player because Audi Cooks requires a specific offense to incorporate her. I don't know if Schaefer has the patience to adjust the offense to fit her into the lineup, but she's a decent offensive player to try to recruit. She averaged 26 points and 7 rebounds this past season with the Cyclones. I know the Sooners could be interested in her services next season. Why not beat the Sooners to the punch and steal her before she becomes a Sooner?
3. High School F Oliviyah Edwards
If I were in Schaefer's shoes, I would have been running to the telephone as soon as I heard that Oliviyah Edwards decommitted from Tennessee. I know she's not technically in the transfer portal, but she is after what happened with the Volunteers. She would be the cherry on top of the number one recruiting class coming to Austin next season. She's a five-star forward who has the star potential to follow in Madison Booker's footsteps as an elite Longhorns forward. If she's still interested in playing in the SEC, why not transfer to the other orange school in the conference?
4. NC State F Tilda Trygger
If Schaefer wants to add some size at the rim, Trygger would be the perfect addition. That was one thing that hurt the Longhorns when they faced the Bruins in the Final Four. She averages almost a double-double every season, and I could see her taking Kyla Oldacre's spot in the lineup. While the Longhorns have Lovisa Asbrink Hose coming back next season, it doesn't hurt to add another seasoned forward to the lineup. She could really help the Longhorns in the height department.
5. LSU Guard Bella Hines
The young combo guard from LSU would be my last transfer portal target for the Longhorns this summer. She's a young player, but she has the heart of Harmon when she steps onto the court. Texas also needs to replace Jordan Lee and Justice Carlton on the roster after they entered the transfer portal. Hines is the type of tough player that Schaefer would go after in a heartbeat. It'll be interesting to see how the Longhorns handle the transfer portal this summer.