FORT WORTH, TX ― When theNo. 1 Texas Longhornsmeet theNo. 2 Michigan Wolverinesin the Elite Eight at Dickies Arena on March 29, there will be no shortage of confidence.
The Longhorns are seeking their first championship since 1986. The Wolverines have never won a women's basketball title. Still, both teams believe they belong on the Elite Eight stage.
"You had to be a contender before you were a champion. You know, you had to be there before you were on the other side,"Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Aricosaid, referencing a quote that guard Olivia Olson recently shared with the team.
"That's kind of where our program is right now. You know, we're a contender, and we've gotten to this point. We have the pieces to be champions. So we are in the Elite Eight with a lot of programs that have rich basketball tradition."
The Wolverines are back in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2022. However, to get to the Final Four, Barnes Arico and her team will have to beatTexas coach Vic Schaeferand a program that's very familiar with the biggest stage in women's college basketball. The Longhorns have been to five Final Fours, including an appearance last year.
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"You understand the urgency that you have to have, the focus and the discipline that you have, and the connectivity and chemistry that you have to have with your teammates at this moment, because any game could be your last game,"Texas guard Rori Harmonsaid.
"You don't want to look back and regret, 'Oh, I didn't play hard enough,' or you didn't leave it out on the court. But, having that experience with Coach Schaefer and a few of us who have been here a couple of times ― a few times ― it definitely helps. We're trying to get that to permeate throughout our team."
The team that emerges victorious after Monday's matchup will head to Phoenix for the 2026 Women's Final Four. Final Four play begins Friday, April 3. The national championship is Sunday, April 5.
Players to watch in 2026 women's NCAA basketball tournament
What time is Texas vs. Michigan Elite Eight game?
Date: Monday, March 30
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)
TheTexas Longhornswill play theMichigan Wolverinesin the Elite Eight round of the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 30, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Texas vs. Michigan: TV, streaming
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN App, Fubo
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Texas women's basketball vs. Michigan in Elite Eight: TV, streaming