FORT WORTH, Texas – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team is heading to the Sweet 16, and faces a familiar foe in No. 3/3 Texas. The fifth-seeded Wildcats (25-10, 8-8 Southeastern Conference) will meet the top-seeded Longhorns (33-3, 13-3 SEC) at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on Saturday, March 28, at 3 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast nationally on ABC. This marks Kentucky’s second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance under head coach Kenny Brooks, and the program’s seventh overall.
The Wildcats advanced to this stage with wins over James Madison and West Virginia in the first two rounds of the NCAA Championship, improving their all-time tournament record to 25-18. This year’s team is led by a dynamic duo: Tonie Morgan, a Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year finalist, and Clara Strack, a Lisa Leslie Center of the Year finalist. Morgan currently leads the nation in total assists with 279, averaging 7.97 assists per game, while Strack ranks among the top 25 nationally in blocks (2.6), rebounds (10.3), and double-doubles (16).
Rematch in Fort Worth: A Close Contest Revisited
Saturday’s matchup isn’t the first time these two teams have met this season. On February 9th, Kentucky traveled to Austin and fell to Texas 64-53 in a hard-fought contest. Despite the loss, the Wildcats demonstrated their ability to challenge the Longhorns, holding them to their second-lowest point total at home in 52 games. According to game statistics, Kentucky held Texas to just 27.3% shooting in the second half, a significant turnaround from the Longhorns’ 61.5% first-half performance. The Wildcats also narrowly outrebounded Texas 30-29 in that February meeting.
That game, while a loss, offered valuable insight into Texas’ vulnerabilities. “We know what they’re capable of,” Brooks said in a statement released by UK Athletics. “We played them earlier this year and competed. We’ve got to execute our game plan and be ready for a tough battle.”
Brooks’ Tournament Pedigree and a Familiar Staff
This is the 12th NCAA Championship appearance for head coach Kenny Brooks, and his sixth consecutive. He’s successfully guided three different programs – James Madison (six times), Virginia Tech (four times), and now Kentucky (two times) – to the Big Dance. His experience is a key asset as the Wildcats navigate the pressure of the Sweet 16. Notably, Brooks led Virginia Tech to a Final Four appearance in 2023, and four of his current assistant coaches – Lindsey Hicks, Radvile Autukaite, Will Sims, and Kendall Dillard – were also on that staff. Adding to the continuity, Taylor Soule, a player from that 2023 Virginia Tech team, is now a member of the Kentucky coaching staff.
Kentucky’s “Splash Cats” and Offensive Firepower
Beyond Morgan and Strack, Kentucky boasts a potent offensive attack, earning the nickname “Splash Cats” for their three-point shooting prowess. The team made history this season as the first in Southeastern Conference history to feature two players – Amelia Hassett (98) and Aisa Boone (94) – with at least 94 three-pointers in a single season. This long-range threat adds another dimension to Kentucky’s offense and will be crucial against a strong Texas defense.
Series History and Tournament Context
The all-time series between Kentucky and Texas favors the Longhorns 4-0. Kentucky has lost all two previous matchups on neutral courts. The teams first met in 1978, with subsequent games in 2007 and 2025. While they haven’t faced each other in the NCAA Championship before, they did meet in the 1978 WNIT. The winner of Saturday’s game will advance to the Elite Eight on Monday, continuing their pursuit of a national championship.
Fans wishing to attend the game can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster. For those following from afar, the game will be broadcast on ABC, with commentary from Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe. The game will also be available on the UK Sports Network, with Darren Headrick calling the action on 630 AM WLAP in Lexington and 790 AM WKRD in Louisville, as well as on SiriusXM channels 210 and 203 with Danny Reed and Ice Young providing analysis.
Looking Ahead
The Wildcats face a significant challenge in Texas, but their recent performance and strong coaching staff position them for a competitive game. The Elite Eight matchup and potential path to the Final Four will be determined by the outcome of Saturday’s contest. Updates and further information on the Kentucky women’s basketball team can be found at UKathletics.com and on social media at @KentuckyWBB.
What do you consider Kentucky needs to do to upset Texas and advance to the Elite Eight? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
