Short Bench, Big Ambition: Texas Women’s Hoops Faces SEC Gauntlet with Only 13 Players

The Texas Longhorns enter the 2025-26 season with championship aspirations, but they have only 13 scholarship players, a thin roster by SEC standards. Head coach Vic Schaefer insists that “depth is a mindset,” not just a numbers game, and he’s counting on versatility and conditioning to carry the team through the grind. That confidence will be established early, as standout center Kyla Oldacre is sidelined by an ankle injury that limits frontcourt options and rebounding presence. The Longhorns are coming off a 29-5 campaign that ended in the NCAA Elite Eight, and expectations remain high as they transition into their second season in the SEC. Early non-conference matchups against ranked opponents will immediately reveal how well Texas can weather the personnel squeeze.

Key Players and Rotation Strategy

Even without Oldacre, Texas boasts a core capable of sustaining high-level play. Rori Harmon, the All-SEC point guard, returns after averaging 13.7 points, 7.1 assists, and 2.6 steals per game, orchestrating an up-tempo offense that thrives on ball pressure. Wing scorers Shay Holle and DeYona Gaston provide two-way impact, while six-foot-four forward Amina Muhammad becomes fundamental in anchoring the paint until Oldacre is healthy. Schaefer is expected to deploy more three-guard lineups, leaning on perimeter shooting and switching defenses to mitigate size disadvantages. Conditioning and foul management will be critical; Texas can’t afford early foul trouble when the rotation is already tight.

SEC Gauntlet

The SEC offers no soft landings, and Texas faces a December stretch that includes road games at South Carolina and LSU. Schaefer’s trademark defensive pressure and high-tempo transition game will need to be balanced with strategic rest periods to keep legs fresh deep into conference play. Freshmen guards Jada Williams and Kaitlyn Fuchs could see significant minutes earlier than expected, giving Texas an unpredictable spark off the bench. If Oldacre returns to form by midseason, the Longhorns could transform from “depth-challenged” to downright dangerous when the tournament seeding picture sharpens. Nat’s Take: I expect Texas to endure some early grind-it-out wins but remain a top-tier SEC contender. While Harmon is steering the attack and Oldacre back before March, the Longhorns should secure another Elite Eight and possibly Final Four run.