The Texas Longhorns have boasted one of the top women's basketball programs since head coach Vic Schaefer took over on the 40 Acres.
That reached its peak last year, when the Horns were projected to make a run to the National Championship. While Texas fell short of that goal, the team was loaded with stars like forward Madison Booker and point guard Rori Harmon.
While Booker stuck around for another season, Harmon took her talents to the WNBA, but that does not mean the Texas backcourt is not in good hands anymore.
In fact, while at the 2026 SEC Tipoff, Schaefer could not downplay just how excited he is for junior guard Bryanna Preston to run the offense.
"Rori was fast. Bry’s electric; I mean, that kid is electric," Schaefer said while speaking at the podium at media days. "I'm really excited about Bry Preston, and I'm excited to see her this year, and I'm glad she's on our team
Bryanna Preston will ensure Texas's backcourt is elite without Rori Harmon
Last season, Harmon capped off her legendary career with the Longhorns by leading Texas to the Final Four for a second straight season. She averaged 8.4 points, 6.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game.
That stat line was amassed while starting in all 39 of Texas's games, averaging 29.6 minutes per appearance. Meanwhile, Preston averaged just 14.3 minutes per game, also appearing in 39 games but having yet to make a start for the Horns.
Despite seeing less than half of the playing time that Harmon did last year, Preston still averaged 4.9 points, 2.3 assists, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per game.
Simply put, the promise that Preston showed in her minimal time on the court should get Texas fans excited for the offense to become hers. Schaefer's words of praise should only make fans double down on that excitement.
And, of course, the return of Booker is the best news the Horns have ever received, with the senior forward being the lone Longhorn to be named to the 2026-27 SEC Women’s Basketball Preseason Media Poll All-SEC Team.
The 2026-27 SEC Women’s Basketball Preseason Media Poll All-SEC Team has been announced 🤫#NCAAWBB pic.twitter.com/AU3w5HSqqy
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) October 14, 2026
During her junior season, Booker averaged 18.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, starting in every single game right alongside Harmon. Now, Booker's running mate on the court will be Preston.
After playing exhibition games against UConn, UCLA, and Eastern New Mexico, the Horns will tipoff their regular season with a home game against Fairleigh Dickinson on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. CT and will be played at the Moody Center.
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