In Phoenix, Arizona, the Texas women’s basketball team faced off against UCLA on April 3, 2026, in a highly anticipated NCAA Women’s Final Four semifinal match at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
As the game approached, excitement buzzed in Austin, where fans gathered at local pubs to support their team. The tip-off was set for 8:30 p.m., but the energy was palpable even before the players took the court.
With Texas women’s sports thriving this season, the Longhorns’ basketball team has become a focal point for local enthusiasm. “The whole state’s going to be cheering for them,” declared fan Adele Langlois, highlighting the statewide support.
Clad in Burnt Orange, supporters crowded around screens, eager to witness every moment of the game. Debra Hallum, co-owner of 1972 Pub, noted the growing excitement, stating, “As we get closer and closer, we get a little more crowded and it gets a little bit crazier. Monday night was just incredible here—all the yelling and cheering.”
This Final Four showdown featured all No. 1 seeds, with Texas boasting an impressive record of 12 consecutive victories, winning their tournament games by an average margin of 36 points. “They have great chemistry. They are playing as a really good team. They’re supporting each other, and there’s no ‘I’ in team,” Langlois emphasized.
The Longhorns had previously triumphed over two of their Final Four opponents earlier in the season, including a decisive win against UCLA by double digits. “They’ve already beaten them. Do you think they can do it again?” reporter Katie Pratt posed to fans.
<p"Absolutely. We have a team that is gelled so well—their personalities, their work ethic. They have just come together, and you see it every time on the court," Hallum responded confidently.
The stakes were high for Texas, as a victory would not only advance them to the national championship game but also mark the program’s first title in 40 years, a goal that has fueled the team’s determination and fan support.
