Two of the top women’s college basketball programs in the nation collide, as No. 4-ranked Texas hosts No. 5 LSU on Thursday night at Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
It is a rematch of the Jan. 11 encounter at Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where the Lady Tigers (21-2, 7-2 SEC) won 70-65 and inflicted the Longhorns (21-2, 6-2 SEC) their first loss of the 2025-26 season.
The two teams are coming off contrasting victories, making this a highly anticipated matchup between SEC-affiliated programs. Our LSU vs. Texas prediction will include projected starting lineups, a full score forecast, and pregame analysis for the clash between NCAA Women’s College Basketball Tournament-bound programs.
LSU Lady Tigers vs. Texas Longhorns Details
- Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026
- Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Arena: Moody Arena
- TV: ESPN
- Announcers: Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play), Rebecca Lobo (analyst), Holly Rowe (reporter)
- Livestream: ESPN app
- Radio: LSU Sports Radio Network (Announcers: Patrick Wright, Shaeeta Williams); AM 1300 The Zone and TexasSports.com (Announcers: Craig Way and Kathy Harston)
LSU Lady Tigers Starting Lineup
- Flau’jae Johnson (14.1 PPG)
- Mikaylah Williams (13.0 PPG)
- Grace Knox (10.0 PPG)
- Kate Koval (10.0 PPG)
- Jada Richard (9.4 PPG)
Texas Longhorns Starting Lineup
- Madison Booker (19.1 PPG)
- Jordan Lee (13.9 PPG)
- Justice Carlton (9.3 PPG)
- Rori Harmon (9.1 PPG)
- Breya Cunningham (8.7 PPG)
LSU vs. Texas Prediction and Preview
LSU is on a seven-game winning streak after starting its first two SEC regular-season assignments with losses to Kentucky and Vanderbilt. Victories over Georgia (80-59), Texas (70-65), Oklahoma (91-72), Texas A&M (98-54), Florida (89-60), Arkansas (92-70) and Alabama (103-63) have catapulted the Lady Tigers to a tie for third with the Commodores in the team standings, one game behind conference leaders South Carolina.
Kim Mulkey’s lineup is arguably the deepest in the nation, with eight players averaging at least 9.4 points. Senior guard Johnson is leading the team’s offense with averages of 14.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 1.4 SPG. Her long-time backcourt mate, Williams, is the third-best scorer on the team with 13 PPG, behind South Carolina transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley’s 13.9 PPG.
Freshman ZaKiyah Johnson and East Carolina transfer Amiya Joyner help Fulwiley in the second unit, as they continue the offensive system employed by Mulkey to ensure equal distribution of points and make them a vital contributor to the team’s quest for their first title in three years. Joyner and Koval are the team’s best rebounders with a combined 14.2 RPG, and Williams is the Lady Tigers’ best passer at 3.9 assists per outing.
LSU is fifth in the NET rankings with an excellent 11-1 record at home to go along with its 7-1 record in road games and 3-0 in neutral venues. The Lady Tigers are 5-2 against Quadrant 1 teams, 1-0 against Quadrant 2 teams, and a combined 15-0 against Quadrant 3 and Quadrant 4 teams this season.
Longhorns Riding Win Streak Into Showdown vs. LSU
On the other hand, Texas is on a roll since losing to LSU and South Carolina successively. The Longhorns have demolished Texas A&M (80-35) and Florida (88-68) before digging deep to win over No. 10 Oklahoma, 78-70. They are 7-2 against AP Poll Top 25 opponents, and they are looking to extend the winning run against the Lady Tigers.
Madison Booker is having a big season, averaging 19.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 4.0 APG, and 2.5 SPG. She has shot 51.5% from the field and made 83.1% of her free-throw attempts. The 6’1″ junior forward is garnering ample support from teammates like Lee, who is averaging 13.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 steals.
Booker and Lee are backed up by Longhorns center Kyla Oldacre, who is averaging 11.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.2 BPG, and freshman guard Aaliyah Crump (13.0 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 1.4 SPG. Harmon is the team’s top passer and swiper, with 6.9 assists and 2.9 steals per game.
Texas ranks third in NET rankings with an immaculate 14-0 record at home, while the Longhorns are 4-2 and 3-0 in road and neutral venues, respectively. Vic Schaefer’s team has a 6-2 mark against Quadrant 1 teams and has performed better against lower-quadrant teams. They tout a 6-0 record against Quadrant 2 teams, while they have combined for 10-0 against Quadrant 3 and Quadrant 4 programs.
The LSU vs Texas matchup should be closely fought and action-packed, as both coaches will likely turn to the bench to find someone who can turn the tide. However, in the end, Texas will win the rematch to prove that it can outclass other teams in the AP Poll Top 5.
Prediction: Texas 81, LSU 77
