Sometimes during the NCAA Women's Tournament, you might come across some familiar teams that you've already played in your conference. That's what's happening to Texas women's basketball this afternoon as the Longhorns will take on the Kentucky Wildcats. Texas is coming off an impressive season finale at the Moody Center against the Oregon Ducks, where Rori Harmon got to say her last goodbyes to the Austin faithful.
Now with the Longhorns in the Sweet 16, they move north to Fort Worth, where they'll get the home crowd at Dickies Arena. Many Texas alumni would love to see the Longhorns play for a spot in the Elite 8. It's like the perfect recipe to have four home games before getting to the Final Four if that happens. However, you have to take it one game at a time. Here are the four keys to the game this afternoon against the Kentucky Wildcats.
1. Don't look ahead at your next opponent
One thing I see with many teams in the Sweet 16 is that they start to look ahead. That is the quickest way for your season to end in the tournament. Texas needs to focus on the main task at hand this afternoon: sending Kentucky back home for the summer.
They have one heck of a basketball team that could send Texas back to Austin. Just because the Longhorns beat them during conference play doesn't mean it's an automatic given that Texas will win again.
2. Don't be afraid to spread the wealth around
One thing that Texas has over the Kentucky Wildcats is a lot of scoring depth on its roster. Taking a look back at the first tournament game the Longhorns had against the Missouri State Lady Bears, Jordan Lee was the leading scorer for the Longhorns. Texas can't rely on Madison Booker and Rori Harmon to win every game for them. That's why Vic Schaefer needs to make sure that everyone is touching the basketball, so Kentucky is confused about whom the Longhorns are running their offense through.
3. Shut down Kentucky's Center
One Kentucky player the Longhorns need to shut down is Clara Strack. She leads the team in points per game and rebounds per game. Based on her stats, I would do everything as a coach to run the offense through her underneath the rim. Kyla Oldacre and the forwards are going to have their work cut out for them this afternoon, trying to limit the damage she does to the Longhorns. It could be a long afternoon for the Longhorns if they allow her to be open underneath the rim.
4. If Booker is on fire, don't put the flames out
One thing that Schaefer needs to monitor is whether Booker is making her shots. If she is making all of her shots, just let her go out and take over the game. There's no need to hold Booker back from being the offensive threat that she is if she's making all of her shots. Just look at the damage she did against the Oregon Ducks last Sunday. If Kentucky isn't ready for Booker and her unconscious shooting, they might as well go back to the hotel and pack up for the flight back to Kentucky.