No Cap Space College Countdown: No. 4 Texas with Rori Harmon

The Primer: 2023-2024 Record & Result: 33-5 (14-4 Big 12) NCAA Elite 8Who graduated: Shaylee Gonzales: 9.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.7 APGWho transferred out: Deyona Gaston: 8.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.4 APG, Transferred to AuburnAmina Muhammed: 6.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.9 APG, Transferred to OregonKhadijah Faye: 5.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.2 APG, Transferred to Pittsburgh Gisella Maul: 2.3 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 0.5 APG, Transferred to CalWho transferred in: Laila Phelia: 16.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, Transferred from MichiganKyla Oldacare: 5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 0.5 APG, Transferred from MiamiWho is coming back: Madison Booker: 16.5 PPG, 5 RPG, 5 APGRori Harmon: 14.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 7.8 APG, 3.1 SPGTaylor Jones: 12.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 0.3 APGShay Holle: 7.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2 APGThe Players You Know: Texas rosters a spoil of riches. Three players in Rori Harmon, Madison Booker, and Laila Phelia, have all led teams to success while also racking up individual accolades. Now they all come together on one team with incredible pieces surrounding them to fill the gap. Harmon is returning from a torn ACL but when healthy is one of the best two-way players in the entire nation. From the moment she stepped on campus in Austin she was given the keys to this team. Now, entering what could be her final season in burnt orange, there is a sense of build that has now happened where this feels like it could be THE year for Texas.In Harmon’s absence, Booker introduced herself to the nation. The 6’1” forward took over the point guard responsibilities after Harmon’s absence and grew her game by the day. There is an argument to be made that her midrange jumper is the most unstoppable shot in the entire nation.Phelia is the new face but brings a resume of her own from Michigan. Named to the All-Big Ten first team, she now enters a new role as an option rather than being the system. Fully expect Phelia to thrive as yet another great two-way player on this team. (For more on Phelia’s transfer, check out our interview with her from this Summer here!)The Players You Need to Watch: If I could make a postseason award, I would make the National Player that Does the Things Nobody Else Wants to Do Award. The name is still being workshopped. The point still stands however and Shay Holle would be a contender.Holle truly does whatever the Longhorns need. Oftentimes it is her defensive prowess, which earned her a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team, highlighted by her five steal effort against Baylor last year. Getting a chance to see her play up close at the Big 12 Tournament last year was so incredibly revealing to just how disruptive she is.Another one of the “others” on this team, but a player who certainly can earn some national recognition, is Aaliyah Moore. Moore was making her way back from a major injury in the prior season and by the end of the year had found her stride. In the Longhorn’s final eight games, Moore made her way into double-figures scoring, three of those being double-doubles. Texas has starting quality size between Moore and Taylor Jones and even more size in their depth. Don’t be surprised to see Moore shine now that she has been back and healthy for an extended period.Season Expectations: There are no expectations too high for the Longhorns this season. At times in the buildup to this college season it has felt that the focus has stayed on the blockbuster teams of USC, UConn, and South Carolina, and don’t get me wrong they have earned it in various ways. But Texas is right there with them. It will be a new challenge this year as the team enters the SEC, and they go in ranked #2 in the conference from the preseason SEC polls, but they will be facing a much tougher schedule compared to the Big 12.The good thing is that I trust defense. And Texas might end up being the best defense in the nation. I also trust the growth of Madison Booker, who absolutely shined as a freshman and now has some incredible reinforcements headed her way. It is a high standard, but anything below a Final Four will feel like a disappointment. Defense wins championships right? Texas has a defense. Need a star for the big moments? Texas has several. It will be on them to live up to the bar they have set with the talent on this roster, but I fully believe in them being able to reach it.Games You Can’t Miss: vs. #1 South Carolina, 1/12 (away), 2/9 (home) : We might end up getting a game three of this series in Tampa.vs #7 LSU, 2/16: Vic Schaefer vs Kim Mulkey with a whole bunch of talent on the court? Yes please. Vs #10 Oklahoma, 1/2: High ranked rivalry game and revenge from Big 12 regular season sweep last year.Watch your team in style with Homefield! Use promo code NOCAP15 for 15% off your first purchase here!Thanks for reading No Cap Space WBB! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nocapspace.substack.com