Rori Harmon Still Hungry for Texas Basketball
In the first quarter of the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team’s Sweet 16 matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats, a young fan held up a sign that read “I’m gonna be the next Rori.” This isn’t an unrealistic dream for an aspiring young athlete. Rori Harmon, a graduate point guard for the Longhorns, has been a standout player, leading Texas in both career steals and assists. She has also amassed over 1,600 points throughout her career wearing the burnt orange jersey.
As the end of her college basketball career approaches, every game the Longhorns play in the NCAA Tournament carries significant weight. Harmon, along with her teammates and head coach Vic Schaefer, is determined to keep their season alive as long as possible.
Schaefer Reflects on Harmon’s Impact
Schaefer has spent five of his six seasons at Texas alongside Harmon, making it hard to imagine the program without her. As her time with the team draws to a close, Schaefer has spoken about what losing her means for him as a coach.
“I’ve seen her every day for five straight years,” Schaefer said during a media availability on Sunday. “It’s going to be a little different. It’s going to be way different, you know, not seeing her.”
The two have helped shape the identity of Texas basketball in recent years, and this will be their fourth trip to the Elite Eight together. However, they have yet to face off in a national championship matchup.
Harmon expressed on Sunday that she feels more focused than ever during her playing career. She believes the team’s determination reflects their shared desire to extend their season as far as possible.
On Saturday, Harmon delivered a strong performance against the Wildcats, recording 11 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and six steals. If she can replicate such stats in the upcoming Elite Eight game against the Michigan Wolverines, she could play a key role in helping the Longhorns advance to the Final Four.
The Wolverines have a strong track record, having won each of their NCAA Tournament games by large margins. Harmon noted that Michigan shares similarities with teams from the SEC, particularly in their defensive intensity and rebounding ability.
“They’re a great team, obviously, and I see a little bit of the SEC in them,” Harmon said. “They play super hard defensively. They get a lot of rebounds. They crash. They’re diving for loose balls, 50/50 balls. It’s obviously a little bit different than what we’ve seen, but you know, it’s a little bit of familiarity with a lot of teams that we play in the conference.”
With their depth and motivation to continue playing for their seniors, the Longhorns are set to take the court on Monday. Under Harmon’s leadership, the team’s potential remains high.
“I’m not ready for it to be over either,” Schaefer said. “I hugged (Harmon) this morning at breakfast and said those same words.”
