Lee, Crump could swing Texas' national title hopes

Texas is coming off one of its best seasons in program history in which it tied a school record with 35 wins and reached its first Final Four since 2003.

But head coach Vic Schaefer wasn't entirely satisfied with the Longhorns' result.

Schaefer is still seeking his maiden national championship as the lead man nearly four decades into his decorated career. He also has a grasp on Texas' rich history in women's basketball, established long ago by Hall of Fame coach Jody Conradt.

"Texas is not the place that you go to just be good, and I'm not really interested in being good either," Schaefer told theScore in August at the third annual GLOBL JAM, where the Longhorns represented the United States in an under-23 international tournament.

"I'm at a point in my career (where) I'm chasing that last game trying to win a national championship. So, good doesn't really fit at Texas. ... When you sign up to coach or play there, there's a level of responsibility to be elite. And that's what we're chasing."

The Longhorns captured their first SEC regular-season title in 2024-25 and earned a No. 1 in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight campaign. They made three Elite Eight exits in Schaefer's first four seasons before breaking through to the 2025 Final Four.

But the team's Achilles heel all year had been its outside shooting. Texas ranked 356th in threes made (3.1 per contest) and 360th in threes attempted (10.4) despite boasting the nation's 10th-best offense, according to Barttorvik.com.

The Longhorns drained only four triples in their 74-57 national semifinal loss to South Carolina. They didn't have enough firepower to match the Gamecocks' depth, especially with All-American forward Madison Booker struggling in the second half.

Schaefer adjusted accordingly over the offseason, placing more emphasis on 3-point shooting. Texas attempted 18.3 treys per game during its run to the GLOBL JAM final, including an 8-of-22 showing from deep versus Brazil in round-robin play.

"We worked hard on our shooting this summer, and we feel like we've got some kids that can make some shots. ... You're not gonna be able to zone us and not pay the price on somebody making a three," Schaefer said.

Jordan Lee was one of the few Longhorns who provided consistent floor spacing last season. The 6-foot guard is a catch-and-shoot threat with the ability to shoot off movement as well. She knocked down 38.9% of her long-distance attempts as a freshman and shot 10-of-21 from downtown during the NCAA Tournament.

Lee is expected to move into the starting lineup this season. Schaefer hopes the All-SEC freshman can build off her strong finish to the previous campaign.

"You don't want the sophomore slump. You can't be complacent," Schaefer said. "You've gotta go out and work just as hard as you worked as a freshman to have that freshman year. I think that's the challenge. ... She's gonna be given every opportunity to have another great year. She's gotta go do it."

Freshman guard Aaliyah Crump will also be counted upon to give Texas' offense some additional juice. The No. 5 overall recruit in this year's class brings shot-creation, 3-point shooting, playmaking, and driving ability to the table. She flashed some of those skills at GLOBL JAM with a pair of double-digit scoring performances.

Crump filled the stat sheet during her junior year at Minnetonka High School, tallying 24.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 steals, and 3.3 assists per contest. The McDonald's All-American thrived under the tutelage of Brian Cosgriff, who also coached Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers at crosstown rival Hopkins High School.

"(Cosgriff) understands the level that we need to play at, and he pushes us really hard, like coach Vic, so I think he definitely prepared me for this next level," Crump told theScore.

Lee and Crump will need to hold their own defensively for the Longhorns to reap the rewards of their offensive talents.

Schaefer has always prioritized defense, modeling his schemes after the legendary Pat Summitt, whose dominant Tennessee teams punished foes with their size, physicality, and aggressive mindset.

His formula continues to work, as Texas surrendered the second-fewest threes (3.8 per game), finished 15th nationally in blocks (5.1), and ranked 19th in turnovers forced (20.6) last season.

Lee was up to the task at GLOBL JAM. She notably took on the challenge of guarding USC transfer Avery Howell, denying handoffs and deflecting passes intended for the Canadian sharpshooter.

Fifth-year floor general Rori Harmon, who's considered one of the best perimeter defenders in the women's game, believes Lee's defensive talents are undersold.

"She's another good defender. ... Obviously, we trust her to shoot threes and want her to shoot threes. But I don't want people to look at her and be like, 'Oh, she's just a shooter,'" Harmon told theScore.

"She can do everything. She's a well-rounded player. That's kind of what we need."

Crump had her moments in the tournament, too, creating turnovers with her on-ball pressure and rotating as a help defender to contest shots at the rim.

The Minnesota native admits that Schaefer's defensive system is "next level" compared to what she's used to. But she's enjoyed being brought out of her comfort zone.

"I just want to the help out in whatever ways I can," Crump said. "Whether that's making shots or trying to play hard on the defensive end. ... Everyone plays so aggressive and works really hard. It's just fun to get steals and stops on the defensive end."

Texas ranked fourth in the AP's preseason poll and has the potential to cut down the nets in Phoenix come April.

Booker has developed into a dynamic three-level scorer who can facilitate the offense. Harmon brings smart decision-making to go along with her lockdown defense.

Returning center Kyla Oldacre and Arizona transfer Breya Cunningham excel on the offensive glass and provide a one-two punch in the post that's been a staple of Schaefer's previous teams.

There are high expectations for Lee and Crump, but sophomores Justice Carlton and Bryanna Preston could also break out in expanded roles.

Perhaps this is the squad that finally gets Schaefer to the mountaintop and ends the school's 39-year national title drought.

"Our kids play really hard," Schaefer said. "I like coaching this group. ... I've got some really special kids.

"Madison Booker is probably gonna go down in the history of the University of Texas as the best player to ever play there. Rori Harmon has already scored 1,200 points and has 700 assists. Those are two of the best players in the history of that school. ... So, I'm really blessed right now."