AUSTIN, Texas — Just 16 teams remain with a shot at the NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship, and the Texas Longhorns are among them. The Longhorns will take on the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday in the Sweet 16 for a chance at the Elite 8.
While he’s usually running things at the Crown and Anchor Pub near campus, John Henson plans to be out of the pub this weekend and at the game as the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team continues its postseason run.
Henson, who said he has been a fan of the Longhorns since he was a child, is looking forward to what he sees as Texas essentially getting one more home game Saturday against Kentucky.
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“There’s not a chance I’m going to stay away,” he said.
He said he has enjoyed every second of the season, pointing to what stars Rori Harmon and Madison Booker have done for the Longhorns this year. After Texas’ Final Four run a year ago, Henson said he believes this year’s team can be just as special, if not more.
“I think this is everything that’s built up through Rori’s five years. And we’ve got the team to do it. We’ve shown that we can beat the best in the nation. And this is the year we’re going to make it happen,” Henson said.
UT-Austin freshman Shane-David Willett is also confident in the women’s chances. “The women’s team is the number one seed overall. I mean, the last perfect women’s bracket has Texas winning the national championship.”
Texas and Kentucky tip off Saturday at 2 p.m. If Texas wins, the Longhorns will advance to the Elite Eight to play either Michigan or Louisville.
Henson said if the women get back to the Final Four, which is in Phoenix this year, he will do whatever it takes to get there.