I know precisely how Texas Women's Basketball is feeling right now. Being so close to the championship game and getting eliminated in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament is sad. I feel their pain because my favorite hockey team has not made it to the Stanley Cup Finals for the past two seasons.
The pain of being on the outside of a championship game or series can be challenging for athletes. I'm sure for the next couple of days, the team will just want to reflect on what a wonderful tournament run they had this season.
Congrats to Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks on a fantastic game last night. They were the better team, simple as that. Texas did an outstanding job of trying to take them on for a fourth time this year.
Despite the loss, we should reflect on what an amazing tournament run the ladies had this season. It's not an easy task to get to the Final Four in the tournament. Let's look back on the Longhorns' tournament run.
Texas women's basketball vs. the William & Mary Tribe
Let's go back to the beginning of the tournament when Texas had to wait for the First Four to conclude before they found out their first opponent. The Longhorns found out they would be playing the William & Mary Tribe.
After getting out to a slow start, the Longhorns took off and never looked back. Madison Booker led the game with 20 points as the Longhorns won 105-61 over the Tribe. They would then take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in the tournament's second round.
Texas women's basketball vs. the Illinois Fighting Illini
After beating the Tribe in the first round of the tournament, the Longhorns took on the Fighting Illini in the second round. The Longhorns needed to come into this game with the expectation that it would get harder past the round of 32.
Booker would again lead the Longhorns in scoring as they eliminated Illinois from the tournament 65-48. As they moved onto the Sweet 16, Texas discovered they would take on a conference opponent for the first time in school history.
Texas women's basketball vs. the Tennessee Volunteers
The Texas Longhorns had a date with the Tennessee Volunteers after taking out the Fighting Illini in the tournament's second round. The Longhorns could get out to a fast lead and held off most of the scoring surges the Volunteers had.
The Longhorns came out on top 67-69 after a hard-fought 40 minutes of basketball. That was a good test for the Longhorns because their Elite Eight opponent was the "Cinderella Team" of the NCAA Tournament this year.
Texas women's basketball vs. the TCU Horned Frogs
The Longhorns would take on the TCU Horned Frogs in the Elite Eight in what was considered the most-anticipated game of the round. If you thought the game against Tennessee was a grudge match, the Horned Frogs were even more of one because of the in-state bragging rights on who advanced to the Final Four.
After shutting down Horned Frogs guard Hailey Van Lith, the Longhorns advanced to their first Final Four since 2003 with a 58-47 win over the Horned Frogs. Their Final Four opponent would be a team the Longhorns have had trouble against this season.
Texas women's basketball vs. the South Carolina Gamecocks
After eliminating the Cinderella team of the tournament this year, the Longhorns took on the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four. Texas started out strong but got into foul trouble by halftime. In the second half, South Carolina took over and eliminated the Longhorns 74-57.
Texas gave it their all last night, but South Carolina had more depth than Texas did. When the ladies lined up for the post-game handshakes, Texas tried to hold in their tears as they congratulated South Carolina.
Just because they lost to South Carolina last night doesn't mean the Longhorns had a great tournament run. Look at all the complex teams they faced to advance to the Final Four. Vic Schaefer will regroup over the summer, and I could see the Longhorns back in the Final Four next season.
Most of the team will return, and the experience from this tournament run will prepare them for next March. This is just the beginning for Vic Schaefer and the Longhorns' quest for a national title in Women's Basketball.