Elite Eight Preview: Texas battles TCU for a spot in the Final Four

Texas faces two-seed TCU in the Elite Eight on Monday March 31 with a Final Four spot on the line. The Horned Frogs have had an impressive season, boasting several key wins while still showing some vulnerabilities.

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The game is at 6 p.m. and will air on ESPN.

let's get it 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/MvVZRXLemy

— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) March 31, 2025

Big Wins

North Carolina State (76-73): 

Before conference play, TCU knocked off NC State 76-73. TCU controlled most of the game, but NC State cut the deficit to one with under a minute remaining. But a layup with 8 seconds left on the clock gave the Horned Frogs a three-point lead, and they were able to hold on. Like TCU, NC State is a two-seed, proving TCU can beat top teams. 

Notre Dame (76-68): 

TCU beat Notre Dame twice this season. In the first matchup, TCU lost in nearly every statistical category. Notre Dame had more rebounds, more offensive rebounds, more shot attempts, more free throw attempts, and less turnovers. But TCU shot the ball better. The Horned Frogs shot 44.4% for the game, while Notre Dame only shot 34.7%. 

Notre Dame (71-62, NCAA Tournament):

The second matchup between these two teams came in the Sweet Sixteen. Other than turning the ball over too much, TCU played much better in the second meeting. They still shot much better than the Irish, but they also outrebounded them, had more blocks, more free throws, and committed fewer fouls. But they also gave up 17 offensive rebounds, to just 7 of their own. TCU is playing very well right now and the Horns will have to bring their best Monday. 

Tough Losses

South Carolina (85-52):

TCU played South Carolina early in the season and got crushed. TCU struggled to make baskets, turned it over, and couldn’t stop South Carolina’s offense at all. South Carolina grabbed 10 more rebounds, shot nearly 20% higher from the floor (50.8%-33.3%), and had 8 fewer turnovers. Texas knows firsthand how suffocating the defense of the Gamecocks can be, but the Horns also have a good defense, and can hopefully hold TCU to a bad shooting performance as well. 

Oklahoma State (60-59):

Turnovers and poor shooting plagued TCU’s second loss, similar to the South Carolina defeat. TCU only shot 33.3% for the game and Oklahoma State was able to force 12 turnovers, while only giving it up 5 times themselves. 

Kansas State (59-50):

TCU’s third and final loss of the season was also rooted in turnovers. They turned it over six more times than Kansas State in a game that was otherwise statistically pretty even. Both teams shot about 40%, with the Wildcats shooting slightly better, and they both had just over 30 rebounds. 

Statistical Profile

Overall Record: 34-3, 16-2 in the Big 12

Quad 1 Record:  8-3

Net Ranking: 8

Season Stats: 77.6 ppg, 38.4 rpg, 18.9 apg, 6.2 spg, 5.7 bpg, 11.9 TO

Shooting Percentages: 47.5% from the field, 37.6% from 3, 74.9% from FT

Impact Players

Hailey Van Lith – G

With TCU’s defeat of Notre Dame, Van Lith became the first player to make the Elite Eight with three separate teams: TCU, LSU, and Louisville. She leads the Horned Frogs in points per game at 17.9, assists per game at 5.5, and steals per game at 1.2. She also leads the team in turnovers per game with 2.9. 

Sedona Prince – C 

Prince is another huge piece for TCU. She’s the team’s second leading scorer, and leads the team in rebounds and blocks. She gives the Horned Frogs 17.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg, and 3.1 bpg.

Madison Conner – G

Conner is third on the team in scoring, adding 14.6 points per outing, and is second on the team in assists, with 3.6 per game.

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Texas is currently a 7.5 point favorite, but TCU will be a tough team to beat for a Final Four spot.