Texas Tops Tennessee After Coach's Criticism

Longhorns bounce back with win over Lady Vols after Schaefer called his team "softest" he's had

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Texas coach Vic Schaefer's criticism of his team's toughness and heart after a loss to Vanderbilt earlier in the week seemed to motivate the No. 4 Longhorns, who defeated No. 22 Tennessee 65-63 on Sunday. Madison Booker scored 14 points and Jordan Lee and Rori Harmon each added 12 as Texas held off a late Tennessee rally. The game came just days after Schaefer said his team "has no heart" and is "probably the softest" he's had in years.

Why it matters

Schaefer's blunt assessment of his team's mentality and competitiveness following the Vanderbilt loss appeared to spark a response, as the Longhorns bounced back with a narrow victory over a ranked Tennessee squad. The win keeps Texas in the hunt for a high NCAA Tournament seed, while the loss is another setback for the Lady Vols, who have struggled with consistency this season.

The details

Texas led by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter, but Tennessee closed the gap to one on a 3-pointer from Janiah Barker and two more 3s from Talaysia Cooper, who led all scorers with 29 points. A pair of free throws from Booker and a late free throw from Lee sealed the win for the Longhorns. The game was tied 34-34 at halftime after Texas had built an 18-2 lead earlier in the half.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • Schaefer's critical comments about his team came after a loss to Vanderbilt on Thursday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Vic Schaefer

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns women's basketball team, who publicly criticized his team's toughness and effort following a recent loss.

Madison Booker

A Texas player who scored 14 points in the win over Tennessee.

Jordan Lee

A Texas player who scored 12 points in the win over Tennessee.

Rori Harmon

A Texas player who scored 12 points in the win over Tennessee.

Janiah Barker

A Tennessee player who scored 12 points in the loss to Texas.

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What they’re saying

“We have no heart. We're not tough. It's probably the softest team I've had in years.”

— Vic Schaefer, Texas Head Coach (ESPN)

What’s next

Texas will look to build on this win as it continues its SEC schedule, while Tennessee will try to rebound from the loss and get back on track.

The takeaway

Schaefer's harsh criticism of his team's mentality appeared to have the desired effect, as the Longhorns responded with a gutsy win over a ranked opponent. The game highlighted the importance of accountability and motivation in college basketball, where a coach's words can sometimes spark a turnaround performance from their players.