Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers Face Off for Elite Eight Spot

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The Texas Longhorns and the Tennessee Volunteers are set to clash in a high-stakes matchup on Saturday, March 29, at 2:30 p.m. The game, taking place at the Legacy Arena at BJCC, will determine who advances to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The Volunteers, who have displayed a red-hot three-point shooting performance, have rebounded strongly after a challenging end to the regular season. Following an upset loss to Georgia in their last regular season game and a defeat by Vanderbilt in the second round of the SEC tournament, head coach Kim Caldwell’s squad turned things around rather dramatically. They began their NCAA tournament journey with a commanding 101-66 victory in the first round before securing an 82-67 triumph over Ohio State, showcasing their formidable skills.

Meanwhile, the Longhorns finished the regular season with an impressive 15-game win streak, only to face a setback against South Carolina in the SEC Championship. However, Texas dominated their first two tournament games, making them a tough opponent for the Volunteers. Longhorns coach Vic Schaefer recognizes Tennessee’s potential, particularly when they find their shooting rhythm. “Coach Caldwell has done an incredible job with that team this year,” Schaefer said. “They’re really good. They could have easily won 12 or 13 in our league, they were in just about every game all year long.”

He continued, praising Caldwell’s achievements, stating, “You don’t do that by accident. And she obviously has brought a lot of attention to the game, not only with their success but how they’ve done it and they’ve done it really, really well. It’s a credit to her and her staff and her players because they play extremely hard. They’re tough, and so we’re gonna have to play really well.”

Interestingly, Caldwell was unable to attend the previous match between the teams in Austin due to giving birth to her son, marking the only game she missed the entire season. Both teams share a rich history in women’s basketball, a rivalry that has its roots dating back to the early days of the sport, with great respect shared between the two coaches.

Historically, coaches such as Pat Summitt from Tennessee and Jody Conradt from Texas have forged a competitive spirit that greatly contributed to women’s basketball, especially in the 1980s and 90s. Schaefer has openly acknowledged Tennessee as his biggest rival, emphasizing the importance of continuing the legacy established by these legendary figures. “Those two institutions… understood the value that women’s basketball had and could bring to an institution, and they invested in it,” Schaefer stated. “I stand here today so humbled and honored to have that opportunity to now be in an NCAA tournament, having to play against them.”

With Texas having won their earlier meeting, Saturday’s rematch promises to deliver a thrilling battle as both teams vie for survival in the tournament. The storied rivalry continues, and teams are well aware of what is at stake — a berth in the Elite Eight.

WHAT: No. 1 Texas Longhorns vs. No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers
WHEN: Saturday, March 29, 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Legacy Arena at BJCC, Birmingham, Alabama
CHANNEL: ABC