FORT WORTH, Texas – MARCH 30: The Texas Longhorns celebrate after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 77-41 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Dickies Arena on March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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The Texas Longhorns reach their second Final Four since 2003 with a 77–41 victory over the University of Michigan. This is the fifth Final Four appearance in program history, two in a row under head coach Vic Schaefer.
Additionally, Schaefer is one of two active coaches to take two different teams to the Final Four (Texas, Mississippi State).
Balanced offense, defense power Texas Longhorns into Final Four
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 30: Madison Booker #35 of the Texas Longhorns attempts a shot in the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Michigan struggled to convert on offense in the first half. The Wolverines had plenty of opportunities at the basket, but only shot 21% from the floor and 25% from beyond the arc. Texas was able to keep Michigan’s sharpshooter Olivia Olson, who averages 19 points per game, at two points.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 30: Olivia Olson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines and Brea Cunningham #25 of the Texas Longhorns compete for a rebound in the third quarter in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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In comparison, the Longhorns shot 52% from the floor, but could not convert a single three-pointer in their seven first half attempts. Junior forward Madison Booker, the Naismith Player of the Year and Wade Trophy finalist, had 15 points at halftime.
Longhorns ignite after halftime and dominate to secure elite Final Four spot
Michigan’s shooting problems continued in the second half. The Wolverines shot 22.8% from the field and 13.3% from three for the game. They also had 15 turnovers which led to 19 points for Texas. Additionally, Texas had 36 paint points, and outrebounded Michigan 49 to 32.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 30: Michigan Wolverines head coach Kim Barnes Arico tries to get the referee’s attention during the Elite Eight round of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Texas Longhorns at Dickies Arena on March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Eric Baker/ISI Photo/ISI Photo via Getty Images)
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According to Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico after the game, the Wolverines were disappointed with their play and the loss. He said, “Well, that was a tough game for us. Obviously, we’re extremely disappointed. Texas is a great team, but we’re a better team than we were tonight.”
He added, “We tried to get them into zone a little bit to give them those looks, and that’s what we did against Louisville, but we were able to overcome that. We weren’t able to get out of it. And then I think that really let us down. Then we couldn’t score. Then they escalated it.”
He finished his press conference by saying, “We couldn’t get stops and then we couldn’t score. I don’t think it was any of the losses we had, you know, we’re inferior opponents to them, but they’re a really great team.”
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 30: Kyla Oldacre #00 of the Texas Longhorns attempts a shot while being guarded by Cyla Swords #12 and Teyla Delphos #33 of the Michigan Wolverines in the third quarter in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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The Longhorns had four players score in double figures in the win. Booker finished the game with 19 points and seven rebounds. Junior forward Brea Cunningham had 11 points and seven rebounds, as well as second-year guard Justice Carlton had 15 points and seven rebounds.
Senior center Kayla Oldacre had a double-double off the bench with 12 points and 11 rebounds, her sixth of the season.
Coaches and players reflect on the Texas Longhorns’ Elite Eight victory
FORT WORTH, Texas – MARCH 30: Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer lifts the trophy after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 77-41 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Dickies Arena on March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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After the game when the trophy was presented and addressed the crowd, Schaefer said of Michigan, “It’s an amazing team, coach has done a great job there, they’re young and they’ll be back.”
He added, “Today for all of us in orange, it’s a great day to be a Longhorn. You all have been here showing up and performing for two games, and you get to see the same thing I see every day. What a blessing these kids are…Boy, don’t they play the game the right way.”
Amidst the cheering of the crowd, Schaefer continued to cheer and praise his team. He said, “I want them to enjoy it today, but as I’ve been telling them for about seven weeks, they’re good enough.”
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 30: The Texas Longhorns pose for photos after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 77-41 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Dickies Arena on March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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In the post-game press conference, players expressed how important this win was, especially how the team played together, but also their defensive efforts. Graduate point guard Rory Harmon said, “Our defense makes us go…I feel like I’m almost responsible for the defensive mentality of the team.” Booker added, “Obviously you have Rory Harmon, the leader of our defense, just putting pressure on the ball, but I’m really proud of how the whole group has joined in on defense.”
In Schaefer’s opening statement he discussed the team’s chemistry and culture and Oldacre nodded his head in agreement. When further asked why he did so, he explained, “This team, the bond that we’ve built is even stronger and that kind of bond feels like a brotherhood and with that I see on the court that we’re having fun and just enjoying each other.”
Fort Worth Regional Three All-Tournament Team
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 30: Madison Booker #35 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 77-41 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Olivia Olson, Michigan
Silla Swords, Michigan
Rory Harmon, Texas
Jordan Lee, Texas
most outstanding playerMadison Booker, Texas
The Longhorns will travel to Phoenix for the Final Four where they will play fellow No. 1 seed UCLA on April 3 on ESPN.
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