Texas Women's Basketball will have to hit the transfer portal earlier than they might have wanted to. Longhorns forward Abbie Boutilier has entered the transfer portal with four years of eligibility left.
I wish her the best in her future endeavors with whatever team she decides to play for next season. Even though she didn't get much playing time at Texas, she hyped up her teammates on the sidelines. She will get playing time at whatever school lands her.
This should put some urgency on Schaefer and his coaching staff because they need to sign a couple of tall forwards in the transfer portal. Taylor Jones has used her eligibility and won't be back next season.
Who can replace Abbie Boutilier?
LSU didn't wait long to sign 6-foot-5 forward Kate Koval, who entered the portal. TCU even got a replacement center for Sedona Prince. Players are going fast in the portal, so Schaefer has to go after players like Madina Okot and Mary Meng.
The Longhorns won't be able to replicate this past season if they don't get someone to replace Boutilier or Jones. I have repeatedly said over the course of this past season that the rebounding battle is super crucial to win games in the SEC Conference.
Sometimes games come down to who controls the boards, and Texas did a good job of that with their forwards this season. Length is very important and that's what the Longhorns lose with Boutilier hitting the portal.
I'm sure Schaefer and his coaching staff are looking at the options in the portal right now. They can't allow other SEC Women's Basketball teams to scoop up these players.
If Schaefer wants to head back to the Final Four next season, there needs to be some urgency on this issue they have right now. I'm sure Vic is also considering three-point shooters, but with the departure of Boutilier, size just became the number one priority for Schaefer this offseason.