Texas Longhorns Women’s Basketball Earns Top 3 Spot in Way-Too-Early Rankings, Poised for National Championship Contention

The Texas Longhorns women’s basketball program is riding high, earning a coveted top-three spot in the latest way-too-early rankings for the 2025-26 season. After a successful 2024-25 campaign that ended with a deep NCAA Tournament run, Vic Schaefer’s team is drawing national attention and solidifying its reputation as one of the nation’s premier women’s basketball programs.

This lofty preseason recognition comes on the heels of a season filled with grit, player development, and strategic brilliance. The Longhorns proved themselves throughout the year by defeating multiple ranked opponents, competing toe-to-toe with national powerhouses, and showcasing a balance of athleticism, toughness, and emerging talent. Texas not only met expectations in 2024-25—they often exceeded them, displaying the type of resilience and cohesion that national title contenders are built on.

Now, with a strong returning core and a promising recruiting class, Texas is projected to be in the thick of the national championship conversation. While preseason rankings always leave room for debate, Texas’s No. 3 placement is a testament to how far the program has come under Schaefer and where it appears to be heading. Few teams are as well-rounded or as deep, and even fewer return the level of experience that the Longhorns boast heading into the new year.

The foundation of Texas’s current status as a national contender lies in the return of key players, most notably All-American forward Madison Booker. Booker emerged as a star last season, averaging double-digit points and stepping into a leadership role despite her youth. Her versatility on both ends of the court—her ability to defend multiple positions, create for teammates, and score at all three levels—makes her a nightmare for opposing coaches and a gift for Schaefer. She’s not just the face of the team; she’s becoming one of the defining players of college basketball.

Booker’s presence alone would keep Texas relevant, but she’s far from alone. The Longhorns return several other core contributors, including dynamic guards and frontcourt depth that allows them to play a variety of lineups. Point guard Rori Harmon, assuming she returns fully healthy, is another player with the potential to change games on both ends of the court. Her court vision, defensive tenacity, and high basketball IQ make her one of the top floor generals in the country. Harmon’s chemistry with Booker has only improved with time, and the duo gives Texas a formidable one-two punch.

The return of forward DeYona Gaston, a physical post presence and emotional leader, adds yet another layer of veteran toughness. Texas has the kind of experience most programs envy, and their battle-tested lineup is primed to make another run. These aren’t just players with talent—they’ve been through the fire of conference play and postseason pressure. That matters when it comes to chasing championships.

Recruiting has also played a pivotal role in Texas’s rise, and this offseason was no different. The Longhorns have once again brought in a strong class of freshmen and transfer additions who are expected to contribute early. Coach Schaefer and his staff have prioritized versatility, athleticism, and a winning mentality in the portal and on the recruiting trail. The new faces on the roster blend well with the established core, giving Texas an ideal mix of youth and experience.

Perhaps what makes Texas so dangerous in 2025-26 is how complete they are. They have the pieces to play in the half-court, to run in transition, and to lock teams down defensively. Their offense is balanced—capable of scoring from inside, outside, and everywhere in between. But it’s the defense that truly defines Schaefer’s teams. Texas was among the nation’s leaders in defensive efficiency last year, often smothering opponents with relentless pressure, rebounding, and communication.

That defensive identity will again be their calling card this season. With Harmon, Booker, and a strong supporting cast all locked in, opponents will have to work for every point. Texas isn’t flashy—they don’t rely on individual heroics or run-and-gun schemes. Instead, they win with discipline, toughness, and execution. They wear teams down. They make you uncomfortable. And when the game slows down in March, that kind of play is what often separates contenders from pretenders.

Still, the Big 12 is no cakewalk, even with realignment shaking things up. Texas will face tough competition throughout conference play, with several programs retooling and bringing in top recruits of their own. However, the Longhorns are in a position of strength. They’ve been to the mountaintop—or at least near it—and now they’re poised to take the next step. A Final Four appearance feels well within reach. A national title? That’s the new standard the program is chasing.

The Longhorns also benefit from elite coaching. Schaefer has proven himself at every stop, and his blueprint for success continues to deliver results in Austin. His teams are fundamentally sound, and he gets the most out of his players. That development pipeline is part of what has made Texas so consistent over the past few years. Players don’t just come to Texas to compete—they come to improve, to win, and to leave their mark.

That culture is clearly paying off. In an era of constant roster churn and transfer portal chaos, the Longhorns have managed to maintain stability and continuity. That’s rare, and it’s valuable. While other programs scramble to rebuild each offseason, Texas already has the framework in place. They don’t need a total overhaul—they just need tweaks. And they’ve made them.

Beyond the tangible on-court advantages, Texas has something else going for it: belief. There’s a quiet confidence growing within the program. It’s in the way they carry themselves, the way they prepare, the way they talk about unfinished business. This isn’t a team content with a top-three ranking. They’re chasing more. That hunger, combined with their talent, makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the country.

The way-too-early rankings are, by nature, speculative. A lot can change between now and March. Injuries, breakout stars from other programs, and unexpected twists are all part of the college basketball journey. But there’s something undeniably solid about Texas’s outlook. They’ve got experience. They’ve got stars. They’ve got depth. And they’ve got a coaching staff that knows how to navigate the long grind of a championship season.

Fans in Austin should be excited. The Frank Erwin Center might no longer be the team’s home, but the new Moody Center has quickly become a fortress. The fan base is energized, the expectations are high, and the momentum is real. Texas women’s basketball isn’t just a feel-good story anymore—it’s a national power with the results to back it up.

As the 2025-26 season draws closer, all eyes will be on how the Longhorns handle the weight of expectations. Can they live up to the hype? Can they stay healthy? Can they win the games that matter most in March? If the answers to those questions turn out to be yes, then there’s no reason this Texas team can’t cut down the nets in April.

One thing is clear: Texas is no longer climbing the ladder. They’re near the top. And with their combination of talent, experience, coaching, and culture, they just might finish the climb this year. The rest of the country has been put on notice. Texas women’s basketball has arrived—and they’re not backing down.