The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
UTRGV
No. 9/10 Women’s Basketball preview: UTRGV
01.08.2022 | Women's Basketball
The Longhorns host the Vaqueros in a nonconference tilt at the Erwin Center (2 p.m. CT, LHN).
Game 13: #9/10 Texas (10-2, 1-1 Big 12) vs UTRGV (5-8, 1-1 WAC)
Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022 – 2:00 p.m. Central
Frank Erwin Center (16,540) – Austin, Texas
GameDay Quick Facts:
• TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally on LHN. Tyler Denning (pxp) and Andrea Lloyd (analyst) will call the action.
• RADIO: 105.3 The Bat broadcasts every UT game on the statewide network. Craig Way (pxp) and Kathy Harston (analyst) will call the action. Check TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game.
• SERIES: Texas leads, 9-0.
Notables:
BOUNCING BACK: The No. 9/10 Texas women's basketball team is looking to regroup and bounce back from a disappointing 71-64 loss to Texas Tech in its Big 12 home opener on Wednesday as they welcome in UTRGV on Sunday for a nonconference clash inside the Frank Erwin Center. Sunday's contest with the Vaqueros was added as replacement game as UT's originally scheduled Big 12 matchup at Baylor was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within the Baylor program.
JUMP STARTING THE OFFENSE: The Longhorns are looking to regain some momentum on offense as they've seen their production dip throughout the last month. After averaging 83.8 points per game through the first eight games of the season, Texas has averaged just 66.8 points over the last four contests. UT shot a season-worst 29.2 percent (21-of-72) from the floor in Wednesday's loss to the Lady Raiders.
HEALTHY HORNS: For the first time since Nov. 14, all 13 Longhorns were healthy and available during Wednesday's contest. Preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Aaliyah Moore, made her return to the floor after missing the last eight game due to injury. Sophomores DeYona Gaston, Kobe King-Hawea and Femme Masudi also returned to the lineup after missing the Big 12 opner at Oklahoma State due to COVID-19 protocols.
THE SCHAEFER FORMULA: Longhorn head coach Vic Schaefer makes no secret in the way his teams have found success over the years. Relentless full court defensive pressure, attention to detail, and limiting turnovers and mistakes have been built in to the identity of his programs. The 2021-22 Longhorns are no different ranking among the best in the country in several defensive categories. UT currently ranks No. 1 in the Big 12 and No. 27 in the NCAA holding opponents to just 54.8 points per game. They also lead the league and rank No. 6 nationally in turnovers forced at 24.3 per contest.
SCOUTING THE VAQUEROS: UTRGV enters play with a 5-8 record overall and a 1-1 mark in the Western Athletic Conference and are coming off a 62-50 victory at Grand Canyon in their last contest. Sara Bershers paces the Vaqueros offensively averaging 15 points per contest while bringing down 7.1 rebounds.
Grad transfer Taylor Muff, who is playing her first year of collegiate basketball after playing four years of volleyball at Northern Colorado, is the team's second leading scorer at 12.1 points per game. Muff also leads the team in three-point field goal percentage (.341) and rebounding (7.2).
NEXT: Following Sunday's matchup, the Longhorns will return to league action as the welcome in Kansas on Wednesday evening. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will air nationally on Longhorn Network.
