When Texas vs TCU tips off in Monday night’s Elite Eight matchup, fans from Austin to Fort Worth will be glued to their screens. For the first time in tournament history, the Longhorns and the Horned Frogs will meet with a trip to the Final Four at stake — and it’s shaping up to be one of the most emotionally charged and evenly matched games of the NCAA Tournament.
Texas brings tradition, depth, and a coach on a mission. TCU brings heart, hunger, and the hottest player left in the bracket. Together, they’re turning the Birmingham 3 Regional Final into a Texas-sized theater.
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🧾 Game Information: Texas vs TCU Horned Frogs
- Matchup: No. 1 Texas (34-3) vs No. 2 TCU (34-3)
- Location: Legacy Arena at BJCC — Birmingham, AL
- Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: WatchESPN, YouTube TV, FuboTV
- Line: Texas -7.5
- Total: 131.5
- Moneyline: Texas -339 | TCU +275
📈 Texas vs TCU Odds Breakdown
| Team | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| Texas | -7.5 | 131.5 | -339 |
| TCU | +7.5 | 131.5 | +275 |
The oddsmakers favor Texas by more than a touchdown, but the Horned Frogs have played well above their seed all tournament. With TCU’s confidence surging and Texas seeking a long-awaited return to the Final Four, the pressure is real — and the margin for error is razor-thin.
🔥 What’s at Stake?
The winner of this Texas vs TCU game advances to the Final Four in San Antonio — marking a potential in-state championship path should LSU or South Carolina join the mix.
For Texas, it’s a chance to end a longest win streak drought in program history. The Longhorns last appeared in the Final Four in 2003, and head coach Vic Schaefer has built this team with that very goal in mind since arriving in Austin.
For TCU, this is already uncharted territory. The Horned Frogs had never made it past the second round of the NCAA Tournament before 2025. Now, they’re one win away from one of the most unlikely Final Four appearances in recent memory.
🏀 Texas: Elite Defense and Leadership From Austin
The Texas Longhorns (34-3) have done everything right this season. They’ve defended, they’ve rebounded, and they’ve controlled the tempo in nearly every game. It starts with Madison Booker, the Houston-born sophomore who leads the team in scoring (16.4 PPG) and sets the tone offensively.
But it’s not just Booker.
- Points Per Game: 78.9 (17th in NCAA)
- Points Allowed: 55.9 (18th in NCAA)
- Scoring Margin: +23.0
- Assists Per Game: 20.4
Jordan Lee, Shaylee Gonzales, and Taylor Jones provide length, experience, and rim protection — giving Texas the ability to match up against virtually any style of play.
Vic Schaefer has called this his most complete team yet — and after dispatching Tennessee in the Sweet 16, 67-59, it’s easy to see why. This Texas squad is deep, disciplined, and primed to make history.
🐸 TCU: Grit, Grind, and the Van Lith Effect
Let’s be clear — TCU isn’t just happy to be here.
The Horned Frogs, led by Hailey Van Lith, are one of the most exciting teams left in the women’s basketball tournament. Their Sweet 16 victory over Notre Dame was punctuated by Van Lith’s 26-point explosion — a performance that showcased why she’s one of the most fearless guards in the country.
- Points Per Game: 77.5 (22nd in NCAA)
- Points Allowed: 57.6 (35th in NCAA)
- Scoring Margin: +19.9
- Hailey Van Lith: 17.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.1 APG
This TCU team doesn’t flinch. After sweeping Baylor for the first time in 35 years and stunning Notre Dame, they’ve embraced the underdog role and turned heads in Fort Worth and beyond.
Sedona Prince, the 6’7” center and Liberty Hill native, has been dominant defensively, altering shots and anchoring the post. Alongside her, Avery Howell and Kennedi Perkins have stepped up to provide balance, outside shooting, and transition play.
🧨 Key Matchups to Watch
Madison Booker (Texas) vs Hailey Van Lith (TCU)
This might be the best individual matchup of the entire Elite Eight slate. Booker is surgical, Van Lith is relentless. Both are capable of carrying their teams deep into the fourth quarter.
Interior Battle: Sedona Prince vs Taylor Jones
Prince’s size could give TCU a major edge inside, but Texas’ Jones is no slouch. The Longhorns need to keep Prince off the offensive glass and deny second-chance points.
Depth & Bench Production
The Horned Frogs run a tight rotation, while Texas has versatility at every position. If this game gets into foul trouble or sees a long scoring stretch, depth will matter.
🧠 Coaching Chess Match
- Vic Schaefer (Texas): Four Elite Eights in five seasons — but still seeking that Final Four breakthrough with the Longhorns.
- Mark Campbell (TCU): In just his second year, he’s already made history and transformed TCU from a bottom-tier Big 12 squad to a national contender.
This game could come down to adjustments. Both coaches are tacticians, and how they manage the third quarter and final minutes will be pivotal.
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🏟 Texas vs TCU: Homegrown Storylines
This isn’t just about basketball — it’s about state pride.
- Nine players in this game were born and raised in Texas
- Texas leads the all-time series 50-4
- TCU is seeking its first-ever Final Four trip
- Texas is trying to break a 22-year drought
From Austin to Fort Worth, these schools have built rosters designed to win championships. Monday night, only one will remain.
📺 How to Watch Texas vs TCU
Fans can watch this high-stakes matchup live on:
- Channel: ESPN
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. local time in Texas)
- Streaming: ESPN app, Hulu Live, FuboTV, Sling TV
Don’t forget to tune in early — this game is expected to draw one of the largest women’s basketball audiences of the NCAA Tournament so far.
💰 Betting Pick & Final Score Prediction
Prediction: Texas 70, TCU 64
Best Bets: TCU +7.5 | Under 131.5
While Texas brings the edge in depth, defense, and tournament pedigree, this TCU squad is no fluke. Expect a low-scoring first half, a third quarter run by the Longhorns, and a gutsy fourth quarter push from Fort Worth’s finest.
Ultimately, the Longhorns have too much firepower and balance — and finally break through to the Final Four.
✍️ Final Word: Who Will Represent Texas?
It’s only fitting that the Texas vs TCU Elite Eight comes down to two teams from the Lone Star State battling for national glory. In a tournament where powerhouses like South Carolina, Notre Dame, and UConn dominate headlines, the Texas programs have quietly built championship resumes of their own.
Whether it’s the relentless effort from TCU or the seasoned approach from Texas, this game is everything fans could want — a clash of culture, heart, and hometown pride.
From Austin to Fort Worth, Monday night will crown one true Texas contender. And we’ll all be watching.
