Madison Booker Scores 40 in Texas NCAA Win

AUSTIN, Texas -- Rori Harmon, Texas' starting point guard for five years, has a strong understanding of coach Vic Schaefer's team dynamics. Following Texas' 100-58 victory against No. 8 Oregon in the second round on Sunday, she remarked that she sensed something special in Madison Booker's demeanor.

"I saw something coming today," Harmon stated. "I knew something special was going to happen." Booker indeed delivered, electrifying the Moody Center by scoring 40 points, along with eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while committing no turnovers. This performance propelled Texas into its third consecutive Sweet 16, where they will face the winner of the Kentucky-West Virginia matchup.

"She's a generational talent," Schaefer said of Booker. "They just don't come around that often." Not only was this a career-high scoring game for Booker, but it also set a Texas record for points in an NCAA tournament game. ESPN Research noted that she became just the fourth player in tournament history to score 40 points, along with at least five rebounds and five assists, joining the ranks of notable players like Caitlin Clark, Candice Wiggins, and Cindy Brown.

Harmon expressed confidence in Booker's abilities, stating, "I could say I'm really surprised that she did that tonight, but I'm not. So I expect to see that moving forward." Schaefer has encouraged Booker to be more aggressive on the offensive end, advising her to "hunt, hunt, hunt" for scoring opportunities. However, Booker's unselfish play was evident, as she often chose to pass to teammates instead of taking shots herself.

"She enjoys the pass as much as the bucket," Schaefer commented. "I've had to tell her, 'Hey, you turned down a 12-footer to get [a teammate] an 18-footer. Don't do that.'" Booker's shooting efficiency was notable, as she made 57% of her midrange jumpers, going 8-of-14, which showcases her scoring prowess.

Schaefer emphasized the team's offensive intelligence, noting their understanding of spacing and where to position Booker for optimal scoring. "This team is really, really cerebral offensively," he explained. "They understand where Madison needs the ball. Look, [she went] 14 out of 21. She's just a hard matchup for people. She just jumps up over you."

Defensively, Harmon led the team with five steals, contributing to Texas holding Oregon to just eight points in the third quarter. This dominant performance resulted in a 42-point defeat for the Ducks, marking their worst loss in NCAA tournament history. Harmon and Booker were instrumental, combining to score or assist on 64 of Texas' 100 points, surpassing Oregon's total score.

Following their 44th consecutive home win, setting a new Texas record, Schaefer expressed optimism about the team's potential. He highlighted their strong defense coupled with offensive capabilities as a key factor in their pursuit of the program's first NCAA title in 40 years. "When you make shots like this team can, it's a whole lot easier coaching," he said. "If they keep doing that, they're going to be a tough out."