FanPost

Yes, PHF is back with more womens' sports news

You're all well aware of my obsession with the Gazelles, and hopefully you're all well aware that there is a massive game coming up Wednesday night at Gregory as Texas hosts Nebraska in what essentially will be the Big XII Conference championship game.

But I'm here to get the ball rolling on discussions of my other favorite team - a team which I'm hoping PB will have a good nickname for this season - the Texas womens' basketball team.

Coach G has been slowly putting the pieces together to bring Texas back to the top of the rankings where we belong, including a 3-person freshman class that has already started to contribute at a level that I certainly wasn't expecting this soon. I was able to attend the exhibition match against the Houston Jaguars last weekend, which was sloppy to say the least. The Horns have improved by leaps and bounds in just one short week, as evidenced by the demolition derby that was the 3-game World Vision Classic which concluded last night.

The high-level view:

Texas 66 Dayton 40

Texas 110 St. Mary's 76

Texas 78 #20 Old Dominion 44

This run of games proved a couple of things - Texas can win with a smothering defense, or they can with with an uptempo "run and gun" offense. They have the tools this year to dominate on both sides of the game. Brittainey Raven and PHF favorite Erika Arriaran are a deadly set of scorers, Carla Cortijo is a DJ Augustin-esque quarterback running the offense, and true freshman Ashley Gayle is one of several posts that clogs up the lane and can score seemingly at will under the basket. And every single one of these athletes can serve as a lockdown defender - even Erika, who is noticeably slimmer and quicker after 1.5 years out of the game.

Now, the reality. 3 games does not a season make, and Texas has to survive the murderer's row of OU (Paris Twins), aTm and Baylor, not to mention uber-talented Andrea Riley of OSU. Will Texas compete for the Big XII title? Probably not this season. Will they earn more wins and advance deeper into the post-season than least year? Absolutely.

The biggest challenge will come on December 14th when Texas hosts Pat Summitt and Tennessee, but given Pat's got a roster full of freshmen (and just lost to Virginia) so Texas may actually have a chance to pull the upset there. Texas also takes on traditional powers Arizone State and Purdue before starting conference play.

Definitely an exciting season ahead for the Horns, and much much more to look forward to next year, when Texas welcomes the #5 recruit to the 40 Acres. More updates to come as the season progresses.

In the meantime, ODU game recap here. St. Mary's recap here. And Dayton is here.

Nice article in the AP also, if you're still reading - check it out.

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