The 2025–26 college basketball season promises to be one of the most electrifying in recent memory, and nowhere is that more evident than in the newly reconfigured SEC, where Texas women’s basketball is about to embark on a journey filled with historic reunions, high-stakes rivalries, and national championship-level competition. With the Longhorns officially joining the Southeastern Conference, the move not only reshapes the balance of power in women’s basketball but also reunites Texas with one of the sport’s most polarizing and successful figures—Kim Mulkey. The legendary coach, now leading the LSU Tigers, will face her former Big 12 foes in what is sure to be a pair of emotional and intense matchups, one in Austin and the other in Baton Rouge. On top of that, Texas will travel to Columbia to take on Dawn Staley’s powerhouse South Carolina squad, adding another blockbuster showdown to a season already packed with intrigue and promise.
For Texas head coach Vic Schaefer, this schedule is a dream and a challenge rolled into one. Schaefer, who has methodically built the Longhorns into a national contender since his arrival in 2020, now has the opportunity to test his team against the elite of the SEC on a weekly basis. There’s no easing into this transition. The SEC is a gauntlet, and Texas will immediately be thrown into the fire against some of the most talented rosters and iconic coaches in the game.
The most talked-about matchups, of course, are the home-and-away games against LSU and Kim Mulkey. The former Baylor coach is no stranger to Texas, having led the Bears to three national championships and dominating the Big 12 for years. Her fierce demeanor, flashy fashion, and unapologetic competitiveness make her one of the most recognizable figures in sports. And now, after trading Waco for Baton Rouge, she gets to return to Texas not just as a visitor but as a rival with serious title aspirations of her own. The atmosphere in both arenas—Moody Center in Austin and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge—will be electric, with sellout crowds, national media attention, and storylines galore.
Mulkey’s departure from Baylor in 2021 came as a surprise to many, but it was a move that reignited her passion and gave LSU a jolt of swagger. She quickly rebuilt the Tigers into a title contender, winning the national championship in 2023 and returning with a stacked roster in each subsequent season. That championship DNA, combined with a relentless recruiting machine, has made LSU a fixture in the top 5 rankings and a Final Four favorite year after year.
Texas, meanwhile, has been steadily climbing the ladder. Under Schaefer, the Longhorns have embraced a tough, defense-first mentality and have recruited elite talent from across the country. Their recent tournament runs and consistency in the AP Top 10 have validated the program’s direction and culture. But now, facing LSU twice in the same season—not just once—is a different animal. The intensity of this budding SEC rivalry will test Texas’ mettle in a way that few other games can. There is history. There is emotion. There is legacy. And there is national relevance.
Both teams boast some of the most electric players in the game. While rosters are still taking shape due to offseason moves and transfer portal shakeups, it’s safe to assume that talent will not be in short supply. Whether it’s a battle in the post, a duel between backcourt stars, or a coaching chess match, every minute of these two games will matter. These aren’t just matchups for bragging rights—they’re contests that could shape SEC title races and NCAA Tournament seedings.
Then there’s the trip to Columbia, South Carolina—another marquee moment in Texas’ SEC debut. Dawn Staley has built a dynasty at South Carolina, one marked by national titles, WNBA-caliber stars, and a culture of excellence that mirrors what Schaefer is building in Austin. The Gamecocks’ home-court advantage is legendary, with fans packing Colonial Life Arena to create one of the loudest, most intimidating environments in all of college sports. For Texas, winning there would be a statement. Competing there will be a baptism by fire.
This game also brings another layer of respect and competition, as Staley and Schaefer have crossed paths numerous times throughout their careers. They both share a passion for defense, accountability, and doing things the right way. They’ve battled in the NCAA Tournament, in non-conference showdowns, and now they’ll meet as conference foes. The stakes will be high, but the mutual respect between these two coaching heavyweights will be undeniable.
It’s not just the star-studded matchups that make this schedule so compelling—it’s what they represent. For Texas, these games mark a new era, a bold step into a tougher world where every game is a grind and every opponent can knock you off. The Longhorns are no longer the hunted in a less competitive conference—they are now one of many hunters in a league stacked with Final Four regulars and national champions. Every SEC road trip is a battle. Every home game must be defended with urgency. There’s no coasting, no guaranteed wins, no room for lapses.
For fans, this is a dream scenario. Rivalries will ignite. Old grudges will resurface. New villains and heroes will emerge. Whether it’s Mulkey making her return to Texas or Schaefer walking into Columbia looking for a program-defining win, the 2025–26 season will deliver theater that only the SEC can provide. The narratives are juicy, the stakes are enormous, and the basketball will be top-tier.
Off the court, the matchups against LSU and South Carolina will also be recruiting showcases. Prospects around the country will watch how Texas handles the pressure and measures up against the best. For Schaefer, this is a golden opportunity to show that Texas is not just joining the SEC—they’re coming to contend from Day 1. The Longhorns’ ability to compete, win, and maintain composure in hostile environments will send a loud message to future stars: Texas is a place where you can shine on the biggest stages and be part of something historic.
While the full SEC schedule has yet to be released, the confirmation of these three headlining games—two against LSU and one at South Carolina—gives a tantalizing preview of the drama ahead. It won’t be easy, but that’s the point. This is what Texas signed up for. They wanted to be in the best women’s basketball conference in America, and now they’re in the thick of it. With it comes the pressure, the expectations, and the chance to write a new chapter in the program’s legacy.
Expectations are sky-high, but this Texas team has shown that it’s ready for the moment. The coaching staff, the returning players, and the passionate fanbase all understand what’s at stake. These aren’t just games on a calendar. They’re litmus tests, measuring sticks, and potential turning points in a long, grueling season. But most of all, they are opportunities—opportunities to shock the world, to earn respect, and to plant a flag in SEC territory.
The 2025–26 campaign is shaping up to be unforgettable, and Texas women’s basketball is right in the middle of the storm. Battles with Kim Mulkey’s LSU. A war with Dawn Staley’s South Carolina. The SEC welcomes Texas with open arms and clenched fists. The only question now is: are the Longhorns ready to rise to the challenge? All signs point to yes.
