Harmon’s ‘Job Not Finished!’ Mindset Fuels Texas’ Final Four Run
Rori Harmon's "job's not finished" mentality is driving the Texas Longhorns' dominant Final Four run. The star point guard, who has etched her name in the NCAA record books, believes the team's improved chemistry and "Texas fight" will lead them to a championship. Harmon and Coach Vic Schaefer, who share a special bond, are locked in for their final push.
Harmon’s ‘Job Not Finished!’ Mindset Fuels Texas’ Final Four Run
The madness of March has stretched into April, and the Women’s Final Four is here. The top-seeded Texas Longhorns are rolling, making their second straight Final Four appearance. They’ve won their first four tournament games by at least 20 points each. That’s the most such wins in a single NCAA tournament in program history.
Schaefer’s Historic Run
Head coach Vic Schaefer is making history. He’s the first women’s head coach to lead two different programs to the Final Four multiple times. He could also become the third head coach ever to take multiple programs to a title game.
Harmon Leads the Charge
Much of Texas’ success this season is thanks to star player Rori Harmon. She scored a season-high 26 points against UCLA earlier this season. Harmon is a true standout, being the only player in NCAA Division I history to reach 1500 points, 900 assists, 600 rebounds, and 350 steals.
“Yeah, just being around my teammates, enjoying this last ride together. Uh you can’t take any moment for granted. So, I’m just super grateful to be in the final four again with my teammates and um we’re ready and we’re really excited.”
Learning from the Past
Last year, Texas fell to South Carolina in the Final Four. Harmon believes the team has learned from that experience. “We’re a completely different team this year,” she stated. “We’re a lot more versatile. I think we go really deep.” She added that the team is more focused, with better chemistry and everyone understanding their roles.
The Texas Fight
Harmon emphasized the team’s message for reaching the championship game: total buy-in. “Everyone has to start on their role when they hit the court,” she explained. It will take that signature “Texas fight and the Texas aggressiveness” they’ve shown all season. Harmon believes their habit of “punching first” in recent games has set the tone for the tournament.
Harmon’s Place in History
Harmon already holds Texas records for most assists and steals. She recently joined an elite group in women’s college basketball history, cracking the top 10 for career assists. She’s now listed among legends like Susie McConnell, Caitlin Clark, and Sabrina Ionescu. “That’s super cool. I feel really honored,” Harmon said. “I want to live up to that legacy… But I’m super honored and I’m going to continue playing the way I’ve been playing.”
A Point Guard’s Perspective
Harmon sees her individual success as a reflection of her playstyle. “I think I just like making everyone else around me better,” she shared. As a point guard, she knows when to score but also loves making the extra pass and creating plays. “I love playing hard on defense. So, I think that’s what gets our team going and I just need to start in my role when we do that.”
A Bond Built on Trust
The connection between Harmon and Coach Schaefer is clear. They shared an emotional moment after their final home game. Harmon was Schaefer’s first recruit at Texas in 2021. He promised her they could build something special together. “He told me that I can start here. We can start together. We can lay this foundation together, pull in great players like which we’ve had,” Harmon recalled. “And he said I would be able to build a legacy here at the University of Texas.” This vision fueled Harmon’s commitment, and their bond has grown over five years.
“The job’s not finished. So, we’re both really excited and we’re both really locked in.”
TikTok Star Coach?
The team also has some fun off the court. Harmon gave Coach Schaefer a perfect 10 out of 10 for his TikTok skills. “His like excitement, his willingness to do it,” she explained. “Coach can be a little shy sometimes, but I love that he’s just getting along with our team and just having fun.” She believes he deserves credit for embracing the team’s culture.
The Longhorns are set to face UCLA in the Final Four. The game tips off at 9:30 PM Eastern on ESPN. Texas is ready to finish the job.
Source: Rori Harmon is READY TO GO ahead of the Women's Final Four 🗣️ 'JOB'S NOT FINISHED!' | SportsCenter (YouTube)
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