Texas women's basketball takes on Alabama in second round

Texas Women's Basketball took care of business on Friday afternoon against the Drexel Dragons. The Longhorns now turn their attention to the Alabama Crimson Tide tonight at the Moody Center. It will be the last basketball game at Moody Center this season.

After the round of 32, all basketball games are played on neutral courts. They could kindle a rivalry that would be renewed when Texas moves to the SEC next season. Here is the preview of tonight's matchup against the Crimson Tide.

Texas Women's Basketball vs. Alabama Crimson Tide: Previewing the Crimson Tide

Senior guards Sarah Ashlee Barker and Aaliyah Nye are their top two guards. They are excellent three-point shooters who plan to keep the Longhorns off guard from beyond the arc. Barker averages 17 points a game, while Nye averages 14 points.

The top rebounder for the Crimson Tide is Freshman forward Essence Cody. She finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds against the Florida State Seminoles in the first round. She is a player the Longhorns need to box out at the rim. If they can shut down these three players tonight, the Longhorns can move on to the Sweet 16.

Texas Women's Basketball vs. Alabama Crimson Tide: Previewing the Longhorns

The Crimson Tide must shut down Freshman forward Madison Booker if they want a chance at the Sweet 16. She didn't have a good game on Friday against the Dragons. However, that doesn't limit her from going off against the Tide. She did make history on Friday, recording 14 assists, which is the most in Texas Longhorns history and most by a Division 1 freshman this season.

Senior guards Shaylee Gonzales and Shay Holle will be the two Longhorns guards to watch tonight. Gonzales could not miss a three-pointer against the Dragons as she finished with 21 points. Holle is an excellent defender. The Crimson Tide should consider getting her in foul trouble.

The Longhorns need their forwards to dominate the boards against the Crimson Tide. Cody was allowed to sit under the rim and get rebounds against the Seminoles. Senior forwards Taylor Jones and DeYona Gatson must secure the ball and put it back up for the basket. If the Longhorns can shut down the Tide's top three players and play their game, I don't see why Texas wouldn't advance to the Sweet 16.

Other UT women's basketball stories on Hook'em Headlines