This week on The IX Sports Podcast College Basketball Edition, hosts Melissa Triebwasser and Michael Waterloo are joined by University of Texas Head Coach Vic Schaefer.
The Texas women’s basketball program is coming into the 2026-27 season off back-to-back Final Four runs in March Madness. Waterloo kicked things off with Schaefer by asking him what his expectations are for the next era of Longhorns basketball. The team is bringing in the highest-rated recruiting class in the country this fall.
Schaefer said that his expectations have not changed this year.
“We got two juniors, two seniors, and then we got those five freshmen. Not a lot in between, but I’m excited about them, 100%,” he said.
Triebwasser asked Schaefer how he recruits students who fit the culture and standards of the Texas program.
“We recruit to a fit. We’ve been able to retain our student athletes, and we develop them. I mean, we just-that’s always been the secret to our success. It gets a little more challenging in today’s world, as we all know, with the portal. And this past year, kind of the first time we’ve really experienced losing, you know, a kid or two that we really didn’t want to lose, but we’ve also been able to get into the portal and get some really quality kids,” Schaefer said.
Texas boasts Madison Booker, the three-tine Cheryl Miller award-winner, three-time All American and SEC Player of the Year in 2025. Waterloo asked Schaefer how he plans to push Booker to the next level, both as a player and a leader.
“I think we’ve got some kids that do a great job of leading by example. Madison being one of them, and that’s why she’s where she is today. It’s why she’s who she is, and her game has developed the way it’s developed,” Schaefer said.
Tune in to the episode to hear more from Schaefer — including which arena is underrated as the most difficult place to play.
Make sure to subscribe to The IX Sports Podcast for in-depth coverage of women’s soccer, hockey and basketball; and tune in each weekday morning for a quick overview of the biggest headlines on Women’s Sports Daily, like WNBA news and PWHL expansion updates.
