“Texas Falls Short Against South Carolina, But Vic Schaefer Stands Proud of His Team”
Texas head coach Vic Schaefer addressed the media after the Longhorns’ 64-45 loss to South Carolina in the SEC Tournament championship game on Sunday. While the defeat was disappointing, Schaefer emphasized that one bad quarter does not define his team.
A Second-Quarter Collapse Seals Texas’ Fate
“Congratulations to South Carolina. I’m proud of my kids, proud of my team. We had a bad second quarter,” Schaefer admitted. Texas shot just 3-for-12 in the second quarter and committed too many turnovers, allowing South Carolina to outscore them 21-6.
“You can’t score six points in a quarter and expect to win,” Schaefer explained, comparing the game to baseball. “If all you can score is two runs a night, it doesn’t matter how good your pitching is—you’re not going to win.”
Despite the rough second quarter, Texas played South Carolina evenly in the second half, but the damage had already been done. “The ball was sticking on offense. We didn’t have any continuity. South Carolina had 22 paint points at halftime, while we had just eight.”
Schaefer credited Rori Harmon, Taylor Jones, and Madison Booker for their efforts. Jones led the team with 14 points and 8 rebounds, while Booker recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Challenge of Facing South Carolina in a “Road Game” Atmosphere
The SEC Tournament is held in Greenville, South Carolina, giving the Gamecocks a major home-court advantage. Schaefer acknowledged the challenge of playing one of the top teams in the nation on what was essentially their home floor.
“It’s like playing in a road game. You’re already facing a top-four team, and then you’re playing them in their own state. It makes it even tougher,” he said.
However, Schaefer refused to use the location as an excuse. “We’ve been on the road more than most teams I’ve coached. Other than the second quarter, I thought we handled the atmosphere fine.”
Texas’ Offensive Struggles and Lack of Ball Movement
Schaefer pointed to Texas’ offensive issues, particularly when Madison Booker struggled or when the team couldn’t attack the paint.
“We weren’t flipping the floor. The ball was sticking, and we weren’t moving it well enough to create good looks,” he explained. Texas also suffered from a lack of awareness on the shot clock, which led to several late or forced shots.
Still, Schaefer remains confident in his team. “This is one of the best shooting teams I’ve ever coached. We’ve had a couple of off nights, but I have no doubt they’ll bounce back.”
Should the SEC Tournament Move to a Neutral Location?
There has been growing discussion about relocating the SEC Tournament to a truly neutral site. Schaefer, who has coached in various venues throughout his career, acknowledged the challenges of playing South Carolina in their home state.
“Greenville does a tremendous job hosting, and that’s why we keep coming back. But when you play South Carolina two hours from their campus, it’s a distinct advantage for them,” he noted.
While he praised the event’s organization and atmosphere, he hinted that the conference should consider other locations for the sake of fairness.
Did the Loss Hurt Texas’ No. 1 Seed Hopes?
Despite the loss, Texas remains one of the top teams in the country, and Schaefer doesn’t believe this setback should affect their No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
“We beat South Carolina at home. They beat us at their place and again on what I consider a road game. But we have multiple top-10 wins and one of the best resumes in the country,” he said.
Schaefer trusts the NCAA selection committee to make the right call, stating, “Whatever decision they make, we’ll roll with it.”
A Special Moment with Texas Legend Jody Conradt
One highlight of the tournament for Schaefer was having legendary Texas coach Jody Conradt travel with the team.
“Seeing her in the stands fills me with pride and honor,” he said. “She, along with Chris Plonsky and Kathy Harston, has given her life to women’s college basketball. We owe it to pioneers like them to keep growing the game.”
Schaefer values Conradt’s presence and mentorship. “When I took this job, I wanted her to feel comfortable with it. I love having her around, talking to her, and learning from her.”
Looking Ahead
While the SEC Tournament loss stings, Schaefer refuses to let one bad quarter define Texas’ season. The Longhorns sit at 31-3, with a strong case for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
“I’m disappointed, but not in my team. If you want to blame someone, blame me. But these young women fought hard, and I’m extremely proud of them,” Schaefer concluded.
