The two-game road swing for Texas began with a top-five matchup against No. 5 Vanderbilt. It was clear that the Longhorns’ primary focus was on slowing down Mikayla Blakes. 

But….they failed to do that. And they failed to win. Texas suffered an 86–70 blowout loss to Vanderbilt, and HC Vic Schaefer did not hold back afterward.

During the postgame press conference, he kept his comments brief but powerful. “We have no heart,” Schaefer said. “We’re not tough. It’s probably the softest team I’ve had in years.”

Well, given how the game unfolded, his frustration was understandable. Notably, Blakes and Aubrey Galvan combined for 52 points. 

Coming into the game, the Longhorns ranked seventh in the nation in fewest points allowed per game at 54.8. But against Vanderbilt, that defensive identity disappeared.

The Commodores shot an astonishing 75% from the field in the first quarter. They jumped out to a 27–15 lead by hitting 9 of its first 12 shots, including four three-pointers.

From there, they led for the final 37:53 of the contest. Texas fell behind early and never recovered. 

Vanderbilt’s lead ballooned to as many as 26 points. Well, allowing that level of efficiency signals a lack of intensity and physicality, something Schaefer takes personally as a defense-first coach.

Defense Wasn’t the Only Issue for the Texans

Even Offensively Texas struggled a lot. They shot just 38% from the field and made only three three-pointers. They endured long scoring droughts in the first and second quarters.

Texas attempted just nine FT compared to Vanderbilt’s 25, suggesting a lack of aggression and physical play.

But this wasn’t the only issue. Even two coaching decisions highlighted Schaefer’s frustration. Star point guard Rori Harmon was benched for the final 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Forward Justice Carlton saw limited action and finished scoreless.

When a coach benches key players in a top-five matchup, it usually reflects disappointment in effort, focus, or competitiveness. So what do you think? Can Texas respond and regain its edge?

Read more at She Got Game!

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu