It feels surreal that Texas women's basketball was only a couple of wins away from winning the National Championship. Congrats to Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies for winning the title this season. They played an excellent South Carolina team and won.
Now, let's get back to the news that broke this morning. Rori Harmon posted on social media that she would return to Austin for her final season at the Moody Center.
I figured Harmon would return for her final season because of how much she would make returning vs. her WNBA salary if she declared for the WNBA Draft. I'm sure Vic Schaefer was running up and down the halls of his office when Harmon told him she was returning.
Harmon is the type of veteran leader you want leading your team back to the Final Four next season. I don't know how you could have replaced her leadership if she decided to declare for the WNBA Draft or play overseas.
Who will join Rori Harmon on the Longhorns' squad next season?
With almost the entire team returning next season, the Longhorns have a good shot of returning to the Final Four under Harmon's leadership at the point guard position. The Longhorns will also benefit from her in the SEC when they go up against some elite guards.
Brayanna Preston, Justice Carlton, and Jordan Lee will benefit from one more season of Harmon mentoring and coaching them. They could replace Harmon once she plays her final game as a Longhorn.
The Longhorns are waiting for senior forward Aaliyah Moore to decide whether to join Harmon in returning to Austin. The Longhorns could also benefit from Moore's return since they just lost Abbie Boutilier to the transfer portal.
They need Moore's return since they need size inside the paint if they compete against the SEC next season. Losing a player of her height will hurt the Longhorns' chances of returning to the Final Four if Schaefer can't replace her size with a couple of players in the portal.
In conclusion, Harmon's experience will bring a much-needed boost to the Longhorns next season. Younger players under her will gain experience and wisdom that will carry the Longhorns in the future. If the Longhorns can also get Moore back, that's an added bonus.
Harmon's ability to run the offense is something Schaefer won't have to worry about next season in the SEC. It gives Lee one more season of learning the offense before she starts running it.